Chapter 7
Seven
“ T he Sims’ are not accepting our offer,” Munchie informed over the line.
With one hand in my pocket, my eyes swept my living room. Randomly, my attention landed on the record player. It had belonged to my father. The damn thing was one of a few with the ability to humanize that man against a cold, commanding, and singular existence.
“Too bad for them.”
“You tried giving Maggie her way on this.”
“Public relations aren’t always right. Not even our team. We were not at fault here. Nathan Sims snuck drugs and alcohol into our facility, ordered two drinks from our bar, and overdosed. Even if his argument is he didn’t know bringing in outside substances was prohibited, we could ask why he would hide the substances when searched at the door.”
“This is true.”
I pushed the power tab on the turntable and watched it light up. Then my hand roved over the small collection of records covered in plastic.
“So, you tell Maggie, I said, patently, no counteroffer. Allow them to take us to court. I’ll set a fuckin’ precedent with this one.”
“It’s just fucked up how this happened before we installed the new security tools.”
“It is what it is. I gotta go, Munch. Screen my calls for the next few hours. I’m having dinner.”
“Will do.”
I disconnected the call and sauntered back into the kitchen where my mother advised we’d eat when I texted her about Monica eating with us tonight. She said it would be less pretentious. Before rejoining the ladies at the table, I headed over to the pantry to collect a jar of banana peppers and two types of crackers.
“I would have loved to have more,” my mother shared with the table. Monica sat, raptly listening. Hayden seemed less engaged, rubbing her belly with one hand, and covering her mouth to hide yawns with the other. I took to my seat, placing the snack in front of her. That earned me public gushing for a private matter. Together, we unraveled our respective favorite crackers and began to dig in. Of course, it caused our mothers to look at us like we were crazy as hell. Monica couldn’t help her stare at me, which was accompanied by a grin of sorts. “It’s something I struggle with till this very day,” my mom continued. “I wish I would’ve given Ishaan a sibling. His father, an infantryman—First Sergeant—believed in building children to be survivors of nature and the human race.”
Both women turned their attention to me. I peered over to Hayden, measuring the concern in her eyes as she chewed.
My mother referenced me with a wave of her hand. “My husband was extremely hard on Ishaan. Some days, he was unbearable to the point of me becoming combative. I wondered if I’d given my late husband a girl, would it have softened the harsh blows Ishaan received. Or if I’d given him another boy, would it have balanced out the brutal paddle of discipline.” My mother took a deep breath. “It didn’t matter. The ability to produce another child was out of my control. I was diagnosed with endometriosis a few years after giving birth to Ishaan.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Monica appeared sincere in her condolences.
“Yeah, well. I’m passed that.” My mother sighed, “My husband’s gone, and I’ve been blessed enough to have my only child give me purpose. I refuse to complain. What about you, Monica? Why didn’t you have more children after Hayden?”
Monica’s eyes went to Hayden just as she slipped another cracker with peppers into her mouth.
“Well… I don’t know. It wasn’t meant for me either. I’m lucky to have my one, too, I guess. I got pregnant accidentally. I wasn’t married or even seriously dating at the time. Shoot . Before Hayden, I was working at an insurance agent’s office through a temp agency. I had only been there for about four months, which was the length of my obligation.” She giggled nervously.
Then she shrugged. “My time was up at the temp agency, and weeks went by without a new assignment. So, I did what I had to do. I went on a crazy hunt for permanent employment. An opening as a bank teller was the best opportunity I got, so I went for it. Then, I got hooked up with the wrong man.” She shook her head with closed eyes.
“It was…not my time to have the man of my dreams, I learned. The man I loved was loving other employees in the building and his wife at home. Lord knows I had no idea. I got caught up, and even when I knew I should have left the entire situation, which also meant the bank, I felt stuck. I was pregnant.” Her shoulders caved in pain.
“The pay as an entry-level teller wasn’t the best, but I felt the benefits and hours were good. It wasn’t. I eventually got pregnant and had to raise a child alone. Hayden was out of school by three, and some nights I wouldn’t get home until seven. Who has time to make more babies when you’re already taking care of the one you have all by yourself? I’ve worked hard. Really hard. And alone.”
“I understand, Monica.” My mother placed a palm of comfort over Monica’s hand on the table. “Yes, I was married, but my husband’s career was a main character in his life’s story.” She nodded my way. “I had to choose to be the main character in his. That meant his football games, basketball, and even Taekwondo had to be arranged and attended by me only. That was until we got a nanny to help while I pursued my career. That didn’t prove to be the best solution, I eventually learned,” she hissed, cutting her eyes.
Damn …
“You two getting this?” Monica posed to Hayden and me as I waited for Hayden to finish pulling her peppers from the jar so she could hand me the fork. “There are so many sacrifices you’re going to have to make to give a child a secure lifestyle. Ishaan, I’m sure your father’s resting well knowing he’s left all of this behind for your mother and you.”
“Oh, actually, Monica,” my mother intervened with another pat on Monica’s hand. She chuckled, appearing slightly embarrassed. “I sold Ishaan’s childhood home years ago. We lived in Waldwick. This home belongs to Ishaan. I live here in thee Alpine with him.”
I swear, those same spangled eyes she shot when I showed up at Hayden’s office earlier and in the doctor’s office, appeared again.
“Really?” Her eyes bulged. “You bought this house?” Her attention shot to Hayden. “When I followed you into Alpine, I didn’t know what to think. Nancy, when you mentioned your husband having been a military man, I assumed he earned enough to buy this house. And that would mean, they pay good money in the military!” She was shocked.
“Oh, my husband earned well. He put in enough time and made the right upward transitions. But our home was nowhere near as vast as this. This one belongs to my son.”
“And what do you do for a living…” Monica’s eyes roved down to my neck then lower arms and hand as I chewed. “…Ishaan?”
“Mom, please don’t sound so demanding,” Hayden croaked while munching, disappointed, it seemed. “You’re shoving your foot in your mouth even if you don’t realize it.”
“I don’t mean to,” Monica argued. She couldn’t keep her eyes from me. It was tricky as hell for me considering how much Hayden favored the woman. “It’s just that you don’t share much with me. You know you don’t. I’m asking the questions I want answers to. I’m asking Ishaan here, directly, because you’ll never share. Does that make sense, Ishaan?”
I smiled. “It’s fair enough, Ms. Monica.” Sitting up in my seat, I cleared my mouth with my tongue and explained, “I’m the chief operations officer of a resort and gaming conglomerate. I also own a security company as well as a small airline fleet.”
“What’s that?”
“Ishaan owns several planes.” Hayden was clearly annoyed. “People charter his planes for travel.”
Monica’s mouth dropped open, and she gaped at me. The twinkle in her eyes brightened even more. “Planes? How do you manage to do all that and run into Hayden?”
My mother found that funny, pushing the back of her fingers into her chin as she snickered.
I looked at Hayden’s tight profile and admitted, “Fate.”
When Hayden’s head whipped to me, I could see shit. Shock. Disbelief. Fondness. Distrust.
What in the hell got this girl so damn cold emotionally?
It was obvious Hayden had been betrayed enough to not trust men. But more than that, I suspected she wasn’t protected enough. Could I deal with a woman with trust issues? Did I want to? Admittedly, I did not. There was no time I could afford to give to training or conditioning a woman to trust me. It wasn’t the shit I was into. Shit. Having a woman wasn’t even something I entertained until I learned Hayden was pregnant. This would take work.
Monica’s quizzical chirp stole my attention. “Where did you two meet? Do you work in the City, too?”
“No, Ms. Monica. I don’t work in the City, even though my company has space there. I work between Atlantic City and Las Vegas where my company has resorts. We’re launching this month in the Caribbean, on Red’s Island . So, I’ve been back and forth over there as well.”
“So, to answer your question,” my mother added, “…the man is everywhere.”
“How’s that going to work come November and beyond?” Monica picked up her glass of tea from the table for a quick swig. Like mother, like daughter with their drink of choice. “Babies are a twenty-four-seven, seven days a week type of gig.”
“Mom,” Hayden warned. “You know me. I’ll figure it all out. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“I know you think so, honey. And, Ishaan, you seem to be a fine young man?—”
“A very busy, worldly, and accomplished man, Mom,” Hayden cut her off. “Just as I am an accomplished professional dealing with far more challenging things than becoming a mother. This, I’m sure of.”
Monica scoffed, “Okay, big shot. You hear how Nancy and I are telling you two how hard parenting is, and that’s your response?” She peered my way. “Ishaan, I hope you’re not as bull-headed. You, too, will learn how hard this thing really is.”
“I actually have an idea.” I chuckled.
“What?” Monica’s eyes blew the hell up.
“Yeah.” Sparing a glance at Hayden, I caught the rolling of her eyes at her mother. “I’m a father.” I plopped another cracker with peppers into my mouth.
Monica damn near leaped in her seat, her head shot back so fast. “ Ay … A father?” she shrieked.
My mother snickered softly herself. “Yes, Monica. I’m a grandmother already. Ishaan has gifted me the most loving and promising grandson.”
Ignoring Monica’s stupor, I added, “I’m sorry he isn’t here this evening. But when my mother and I made plans to have dinner with Hayden, Mehki had already been given permission to go out to dinner with his girlfriend’s parents to celebrate the father’s birthday.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet him,” pushed from my mother’s lungs in her own excited way. “Mehki’s a special child.”
Monica’s hard eyes were on her daughter. It was almost as if she was admonishing her by osmosis. Then she asked, “How old is he?”
“He’s seventeen, Mom,” Hayden answered.
Monica’s eyes swept over to me, paying a full, distrusting inspection.
My mother leaned her way. “Is everything alright, Monica?”
Monica pulled in a deep breath. “ Yuh —yeah.” She shook her head, brow line hiked. “There’s so much I don’t know and that makes it hard to process,” she mumbled.
“Like what, dear?” my mother pushed.
Then a cynical smile broke open on her face as she continued to shake her head. “Like where did they meet? How long have they been dating? And why, after all that good food you just fed us, are they eating peppers and crackers? I’ve never known my daughter to like banana peppers! This isn’t offensive to you, Nancy?”
With wide eyes, my mother peered over to Hayden and me. “Not at all.” Then she grabbed Monica’s hand again in solidarity. “I don’t know everything about my young, confounding creature either. But this circumstance... This… thing is here, and I’ll be here with him and it. And if some of that ‘thing’ is this beautiful and promising Hayden, I’m here with her, too.”
Monica’s expression mirrored her daughter’s, and that fact had me ready to abandon this space of draining energy. So, I pulled back from the table and offered my hand to Hayden.
“Come with me, please.” Then I shared with the table, “Excuse us.”
Confused but obedient, Hayden took my hand and followed me into the living room. I let her hand go so I could pick an album and accurately place the needle on the record. Within seconds, horns, an organ, and a bongo sounded. Hayden eyed me curiously as I slowly returned to her. Taking her by the hand, I directed her palm with my digits until our fingers interlaced. The second hand was easier now that she understood what time it was. I wanted Hayden in my arms.
As tall as Hayden was, her belly reached my pelvic area. She had to roll her head back to look me in the face. I was used to that, but doubted Hayden was.
“I’ve heard this song before,” she murmured.
I hummed the music. “Yup.”
“When?”
“With me.”
“Where?”
I let go of her hands to cup the sides of her face for a peck on her lips. “The night we met at HAYDAR .”
“ Yesssss ,” she sounded with the sibilant of a snake. “Vegas. What a time.”
I chuckled. “A time was damn sure had.”
Hayden scoffed, “ Now , this is a shit show.”
I hollered hard as hell. “Awwwww! Don’t do that, Boo-baby. We’re working it out.”
At first, Hayden grinned, studying my merry features I knew, admiring them similar to her mother. I’d had enough experience with women to know when they found me attractive. Damn, was I happy to have that effect on this woman. “Really? Because you meeting my mother today was not on my damn bingo card when I left for work. You didn’t have to entertain her.”
“I did.”
“You and Dr. Patterson don’t even know me or my mother, yet you invite us into your home for a meal.”
My hand reached down for her ass cheek. “I know you.”
“You know my body.”
“Nah,” I sighed. “I’m actually diggin’… You.” The shit was true and easy to say, which shocked the hell out of me. “And I’d like to explore those feelings.”
Hayden’s dark eyes bounced between mine. Her dulled, lipstick-stained lips parted as she continued to closely observe me. I swayed us left to right, dominating her inclination to doubt. Hayden didn’t trust me.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming to Harlem. You didn’t even mention my O.B. appointment.”
“I know.” I kissed her forehead.
“In fact, I haven’t spoken to you much since you crept out of my bed at the Jacobs’.”
“I know.”
We swayed back and forth, hearing Marvin Gaye sing, “ I want you .”
“Ishaan—”
“Come away with me.”
“When? Where?” she snorted, affording me a push of her belly against my groin. “How?”
“Next Friday. Red’s Island . And simple. You pack a few bags and let me whisk you away.”
“For what?”
I kissed her again. “Work. I have a lot of work to do for the launches out there. I can’t do that remotely. And I can’t be there focused while you’re back here, away from me.”
“You live in an alternate universe. There’s no way I can pack up and leave my job for that long, all for you to do your work. I earn a living, too.”
“Take time off.”
Hayden stopped swaying with me. She looked me dead in the eyes. “You’re nuts.”
I chuckled, scratching my nose. “That, I may be.”
“You’re serious!” she whispered in shock. “Ishaan, this isn’t my real life?—”
“I know. I know.” My head bobbed. “How I met you is not the normal rhythm of your world. You’ve said that. But again, we’ve gotten ourselves into a particular circumstance. We need to regroup. Upward and onward. This baby’s coming. Was it something I planned? No. Is it something I’m looking forward to? I’m working on that. I’m making the adjustments. Your stubborn ass has the most critical role. And I swear to god, Hayden, if you bring up the paternity results shit, I’ll bend you over and spank your bare ass here in my living room. We’re beyond that shit. Back in February, I knew what I’d done, and you know what you did. And now, we’re here.”
“So, what is my ‘stubborn ass’ supposed to do?”
“Give me some leeway. Let me in.”
Our eyes locked, warring. I wouldn’t waiver. Hayden would have to learn who I was as a man. Pussyfooting wasn’t it.
“You left me yesterday morning?—”
I kept my tone even, gentle. “That was not my bed. It was not my home. I simply didn’t want to split with you that night. So, I slept in another man’s bed, in his home. That’s not something I’m ever going to be comfortable doing. Jacobs and my relationship operates more like a partnership, but legally, I’m a contractor for his company. Staying nights at one of his many homes ain’t a flex to me. Now, you need to process what that means for you.”
Her eyes closed to a squeeze. “I just need time to be back in my place. The company keeps telling me they need a few more weeks, which isn’t saying shit at all.”
“I’m a COO of a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate. Not to mention my other businesses where I earn exceptionally well. Hayden, neither I nor my child will be spending nights in a basement.” After enduring her wide eyes and head snapping back, I pushed, “And neither will the mother of my child.”
She backed out of my hold and scratched her brow. “Ishaan, please forgive me. I’ve got daddy issues, and I haven’t had a man in so long, I don’t recall the rules. You can’t just make demands on my life. You can’t tell me where to live or what to do. Now, if you’re saying regardless of what I’ve got going on here—” She cupped her pouch. “—you want to pursue something with me and take on the role of a father, perhaps that’s something we can do. But you telling me what to do and where to go won’t be a thing with a man I don’t know if I can trust. That shit has to be earned.”
“I’ve been trying to earn it since I learned of your bump. I’m still trying to establish myself as a permanent fixture in your life.”
“You say that now.” She scoffed, “They all say that until it’s time to show up. Really show up, Ishaan.”
I took a step toward Hayden, taking her at the hand to draw her soft body closer. “I will show up for you time after time if you simply make room for me. Make room for me by not shutting me out before I fuck up. Make room for me by understanding I’m a man with pride and integrity. I don’t borrow. I don’t duck from my responsibilities. I don’t run from problems, Hayden. I fix shit. I don’t know what the fuck those other guys—including your father—did before me but make room for me by committing to giving me a chance.”
“Sorry to bother you two,” I heard from behind. Looking over my shoulder, I found my mother, along with a grinning Monica. “Hayden, your mother is leaving. I’m sure you want to walk her out.”
“Oh,” Hayden chirped, withdrawing from me. “Yeah,” she chirped again then took off toward them.
“Ishaan,” Monica beamed as I cupped the back of my neck. “I can’t say thanks enough for today. You, a stranger, made me feel like family. I exchanged numbers with your mother. She gave me a couple of your numbers; you’re such a busy man.” She giggled. “I see the only way I’ll keep up with Hayden is by being in contact with someone who can keep up with her. I’ll be calling.”
“That isn’t necessary, Ma,” Hayden shared calmly, now at her side. I was nearing them at the door when she murmured, “I’m always accessible to you. Proof of that is how you encountered me today. Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”
The two women walked into the summer evening air to Monica’s Honda Civic parked in my circular driveway.
As we stood in the doorway, my mother bumped me with her elbow as her arms were crossed. She whispered, “How often do older women flirt with you?”
I sighed dramatically, “You don’t even wanna know. It’ll turn your stomach.”
“Well, Ms. Monica better cool her hooves, or I just may have to get her in check unless her daughter does it first.”
“You caught that. Huhn?”
“Does Luda have hoes in different area codes?” As I fought back a shooting laugh at her silly ass, she returned the gesture when Monica performed another parting wave. “What are your plans with Ms. Hayden?”
I scoffed, “Same shit. Still hoping she complies.”
“After spending just a few short hours with her mother, good luck with that.” Moms turned to go inside the house. “I’m going to clean the kitchen.”
“Delicious butternut ravioli,” I praised behind her back. “Thanks for that.”
“Thanks, love,” she chirped, not slowing her stride. “It was my pleasure.”
I watched my mother pull off. She assured me she knew how to get to Route 9 , and from there, I trusted she’d know her way. When I glanced back up to the entrance of the home, Ishaan stood, leaning into the doorjamb similarly to how he had earlier in my office—hands tucked into the pockets of his pants. He was so tall, so goddamn beautiful with his boxed braids pulled into a ponytail at the back of his head.
The sight of him. The height of him. The sudden memory of him. It all made me crave him between my legs. Silly and abrupt, yes. Nonetheless, it was true. I was infuriatingly attracted to this man. Either way, there was no time for that. I’d had a long day, one filled with surprises. I needed to get back over the bridge if I wanted to get to sleep at a reasonable hour.
When I made it to the door, Ishaan gazed at me with a gleam in his eyes only.
“It’s getting late.” I gently broached the subject.
“Is it?”
“It’s after seven. The sun will be setting soon.” A yawn escaped. “It’s been a long week.”
Pushing off the frame of the door, Ishaan calmly commanded, “We need to chat more. Follow me.”
Quietly, I ambled behind his swaying shoulders. Soon, I realized we were headed to his master suite here on the main floor. It was where I slept the night before the blow up with Kenny at the soul food restaurant two weeks ago. Once we arrived, Ishaan opened the French doors. He grabbed a remote near the door and silently asked for my hand.
We traversed the room lit by electronics only to a wing where he powered on the lights. It was his closet. And the size of it was one of a bedroom on its own. Two story racks, shoe cases, sunglasses compartments, built-in jewelry boxes, tie spindles, and even a dresser centered the carpeted room. Colognes, loose jewelry, and cash lay on the marble top. This was Ishaan’s personal space. It smelled like him—like his aura. Ishaan tapped my arm, bringing my attention to a portion of the room where a different hue of clothing hung. There were softer colors and materials with lots of tags. I glanced down where the shoe rack was and noticed heels, sandals, and sneakers. Wordlessly, I turned to Ishaan for answers, stunned.
Gently, he guided me from the closet to the bathroom where he flicked on several lights. He directed my attention to the bathtub where several familiar items were on a small, stool-like table. Body washes, bar soap, and oils. When he pointed to the shower, I was able to make out the shampoo and conditioner I used as well as more body wash through the glass doors and walls. Then Ishaan had me look at the granite top, double vanity sink. The serum, cream, and lotion I used for my face and body were lined near one sink. Even my Philips Sonicare toothbrush, only here it was the DiamondClean type. That one was the elite version, too expensive for my wallet. He’d been snooping through my things at the Jacobs’.
“Ishaan…”
“Stay with me.”
“Ishaan, I —uh… My sleeping.”
He took me at the wrist, leading me out into the bedroom. Ishaan tapped a few times on the remote, illuminating the room. On a nightstand were several bottles of my favorite brand of unsweetened tea. And there, on his massive bed, was a body pillow.
“I switched out the pillowcases to silk for your hair, too.”
Silk?
My head whipped his way. “How did you know my mother’s name was Monica?”
He leaned down. “Pardon?”
“Earlier today when you invited my mother to the doctor’s appointment, you referred to her as Ms. Monica. I never introduced her by her name.” For a spell, Ishaan said nothing. I scratched my brow. “You know I have trust issues, Ishaan. Help me?—”
“I’m in security.” He swiped his nose, glancing away. “It’s what I do. I collect information. It’s one of the primary functions of all of my work, including aviation. I must know who you are before you access my world. This goes for the resorts, clubs, clientele for flight booking, employment…security?—”
“And fucking.” I didn’t recognize my deflated voice. “You looked me up.”
“After linking you with Rob, I took a deeper dive, yes.”
“How did you even know I was there that day with him?” Ishaan, once again, glanced away mutedly. “You still want to be that permanent fixture you mentioned earlier. Right?”
“I do.”
“Then tell me. What do you know about me?”
“I know basic shit—your name, parents’ names and livelihoods, your education...”
My eyes went wild. “Well, damn, Ishaan. All of that and you can’t look at the paternity results?”
“I was there that first night. I know what happened.”
“And about that first night: did you intentionally ‘run into me?’ Was that a ruse?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t know you existed before that night at HAYDAR , Hayden. Nothing about this circumstance is premeditated.”
“Circumstance,” I whispered.
“A consequence of two people sharing a passionate night.”
“Two.”
“Two,” Ishaan agreed.
“Then why do I feel if I acquiesce to staying over tonight, I’ll be sealing my fate as a permanent resident here?” When he didn’t reply, I made clear, “Ishaan, I’m my own woman.”
“Who’s about to be a mother. It ain’t just about you no more, Boo-baby. You’ve got to make room.”
“Why is me making room, me living with you? And you never said how you knew I’d be at that restaurant that day with Kenny.”
A smirk crested his sandpaper-hued face, and Ishaan took a deep breath. “Right. That. Well, the reasons are two in the same.”
He directed me to the sofa across from his bed. It was the sitting room portion of the suite which was set up as an office with all types of electronics–surveillance monitors galore, microphones, keyboards, computers, and speakers. I recalled being intimidated by it all and afraid to sleep here the night before the blow up with Kenny. What if Ishaan got off on secretly recording the women he brought to his bed?
He took a seat behind his desk and began typing into a keypad, and I had to ask, “Are you going to show me a video of you and me naked?”
He chuckled soundlessly. “Nah, Boo-baby. I’m no freak like that.” He peered my way. “Unless it’s something you are. I’m down with it. Let’s wait until after you deliver, though.” Relief washed over me at an embarrassing rate. I watched as he clicked into folders on his screen. My name appeared. “I’ve been tracking you.” My heart dropped to my pelvis. “Before you flip out, it’s customary for everyone who lives in this house. Mehki and my mother have physical security with or shadowing them, depending on where they are.”
“But I don’t live in this house.”
“When we…” He hesitated. “…made love that night and you agreed to be mine, I was under the impression you’d stay indefinitely. So, I added you to our network.”
I dropped my head. “Network.”
“Again, it’s a necessary aggression for a man in my line of work. I’ve made enemies over the years. It comes with the territory.” He continued to type. “I’m always investing in hi-tech to protect what I value most: my family. A few years ago, I came across powerful software used in high level governmental security and purchased a license for it.”
“How were you able to get your hands on a sophisticated program like this?”
“It was built by a BSU alum I’m acquaintances with,” he answered without a change in inflection. “It’s an application that allows me to attach to a person’s device whether it’s a cellular phone, computer, or tablet to drop a tracker inside. It’s truly noninvasive. Simply put, when you fell asleep that night, I brought your phone here and plugged it into my hardware and allowed the transfer to happen.”
“Were you going to tell me?”
“Sure. I knew we’d found ourselves in an unfavorable situation. I get it. I truly get it. Assimilating to my world won’t be an easy feat.”
“That’s the thing,” I sighed. “I’ve not decided to assimilate.”
“Are we still being circular about the responsibility of the baby, Hayden? I’d rather not.”
“And I’d rather not be tracked. I’d rather go back to my slow, unpopulated life. Now, I’m being aggressively asked to move into your home. You have a son who doesn’t even like me.”
“Yes, this is aggression. And my son just needs time to get to know you. Just as you may feel this pregnancy was thrust upon you, Mehki didn’t ask for our tightly knit family to be expanded. He’ll adjust.”
“You’re so confident. Like a pro. Do you have experience with this type of arrangement?”
“I only have one child. This is my first rodeo, Hayden. You think having you here is commonplace? Neither my mother nor Ki have seen women around here like this. I don’t date.”
“But you do fuck,” I fired back. Ishaan issued me a warning glare. I wouldn’t back down. “You seem so damn converse with telling a grown ass woman where to live and demanding she give up her privacy. Next, you’ll be telling me who I can and cannot have my child around.”
A sleek expression of fake regret lifted on his face. Ishaan slowly rolled over to me in his chair. He reached for my hands. Quickly, I snatched them away.
“Where are you going?” he asked behind me.
“I’m tired. Really tired. It’s been the longest day.” My heart trembled in my chest. “I’m going to take a bath and soak off the surprises of the day and try to figure out how to remove your tracker on me. Then I’ll sleep.” I stabbed my index finger in the air toward him. “But best believe this will be the last night I’m staying here.”