Part 3Lost in His World

If we weren't in his car, I would have cursed him and his entire family tree.

But I knew him. The more I tried to hide things about Theo, the more suspicious he'd become.

Fine. I'd fall back on a classic cliché. That would shut him up and stop him from demanding to meet my "husband."

"Since you're so concerned about your ex-girlfriend, and it's not like it's some dark secret… after we broke up, my family set me up on a blind date. My husband was very wealthy, a big deal in business. We were always apart because of his work, and then… he died in a car accident before Theo was even a year old… I've been raising Theo by myself all these years, doing everything for him, being both a mother and a father…"

I covered my face, my head bowed in sorrow. You have to commit to the performance.

It worked. Chace stopped asking questions.

But the veins on the back of his hands stood out against the steering wheel.

The atmosphere in the car instantly tensed, the temperature dropping by at least ten degrees.

Since he didn't respond, I couldn't muster any real tears. I kept my face hidden and turned to look out the window.

Through the gaps in my fingers, I watched the city blur past, desperately wishing, Are we there yet?

I knew it. I would have rather lost the bonus than get in this car.

"I'm sorry."

What?

I thought I'd misheard.

"What did you just say?" I asked.

"I don't repeat myself."

I shot him a dirty look. What was he apologizing for now?

Just then, his phone rang. It sounded like a call for backup. He exchanged a few brief words and hung up.

He pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to face me. "Your office is just around the corner. You can run from here. I have to go, I'm needed on a call."

"Okay," I said, getting out. I watched him speed away without a second glance back.

The same person, the same situation. It was like we were back four years ago.

During his second year as a cop, he was always on call. No matter where we were or what we were doing, one phone call and he was gone.

I understood all of it. I never threw a fit or gave him a hard time.

But he never knew how hard the lonely nights were, how much I worried every time I watched him leave.

Well, that was all over now.

I had Theo to keep me company. As for Chace, some other woman could worry about him now.

I clocked into work with one minute to spare.

With that kind of luck, it was bound to be a great day.

Or so I thought. Just as I was about to clock out, my boss dropped an urgent task on my desk.

Damn it. I had to rush. I had promised Theo I'd be the first one to pick him up today.

After finishing my work, I sprinted out of the office faster than anyone.

By the time I reached the preschool, I felt like I was half-dead.

And I was still too late. Parents were already leaving with their children. Theo was probably standing by the gate all by himself again, waiting for me.

I was still trying to figure out how to explain being late when I looked up and saw Chace.

He was here again. And he was holding my son.