Chapter 9

Hailey

I can hear Addison fussing as I rise, the digital clock blaring just after six a.m. in red digits. I listen for Christian, but I don’t hear him. I haven’t seen him since we went to VanDusen several days ago. I push off the covers and shuffle to Addison’s room. She’s stirring, little fists flailing for attention. I lift her, feeling the dampness of her diaper through the onesie.

“Let’s get you changed,” I whisper, and she coos as if she understands. After a fresh diaper and a warm bottle of formula, I rock her gently, talking to her about our garden visit, the way Daddy made her giggle with his silly faces. But even after she’s burped and back to sleep, my mind races.

I need something to do with this wakefulness. A calendar, I decide, rummaging through the drawers until I find a simple desk one. Settling at the kitchen table, I find yesterday’s date and write, First time on the swing at the park ! My heart swells, thinking of how Addison’s eyes lit up. I add our visit to VanDusen.

Photos . Yes, those moments need preserving. I pull out my phone, scrolling through the snapshots of laughter and sunlight, then connect to Christian’s printer. As each photo slides out, I arrange them in a growing collage of memories.

Christian’s credit card lies next to a pile of bills. He said I could use it for things with Addison. I navigate to an online craft store and lose myself in selecting scrapbooking supplies and an actual photo printer. This will be my gift to Addison. Eventually, I’ll be long gone, but this will be something tangible to hold on to, documenting all her firsts.

My phone buzzes. Suddenly, it’s not so early anymore.

Dana: Hi!

Me: Hey, what’s up?

Dana: Are you and Addison up for brunch today? Maybe Homer St. Café? Say, in an hour?

I narrow my eyes. Something’s up.

Me: Sure, we’ll be there.

I smile despite the fluttering in my stomach. What could be going on?

When Addison wakes up again, I put her in a warm onesie and dress myself in a flowy blouse and jeans. I pack us into the minivan, and in a few minutes, we arrive at the café. There’s Dana at our usual spot, but she’s wringing her hands, mascara threatening to streak down her cheeks.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask, sliding into the booth, positioning Addison’s carrier beside me.

She gulps back her emotions. “I think I’m about to lose my job.”

“What? Tate adores you. Tell me everything.” I reach across, covering her hand with mine.

“It was supposed to be just drinks after work, to discuss the Henderson account…” Her voice trails off.

“Okay,” I prompt.

“Turns out, it was a date. A date, Hailey! With my boss!” She throws her hands up, disbelief in her eyes.

“And…it was fun?” I hazard a guess, piecing together her erratic energy.

“More fun than I’ve had in years.” Dana slumps, conflict on her face.

“Then let’s focus on that. The fun.” I nudge her, hoping to bring some lightness to her mood.

The server arrives, and I order oatmeal. Dana decides on avocado toast.

When the server leaves, Dana reaches for me. “Thanks, Hailey. I needed this.” She manages a weak smile, sipping her coffee as we wait for our food.

After a moment, Dana’s face lights up. “He surprised me with a ride on a floatplane,” she says, her hands fluttering. “We flew over to Vancouver Island and had lunch in Nanaimo. I kept waiting for him to bring up work, but he never did. We just…talked.”

“Sounds amazing,” I respond, trying not to let my envy color my voice. I have to wonder what that must be like, soaring over the water, going somewhere fun for lunch.

Dana sighs, the struggle clear in her furrowed brow. “It was fun, but I feel so conflicted.”

I lean in. “Why?”

“Because I’m not supposed to fall for my boss,” she confesses, looking down.

“Why not?” I ask, genuinely puzzled. “You’re both adults, right?”

“Sure, but…” She hesitates, biting her lip. “He already has a family, and he doesn’t want more kids. That kills me.” The words spill out, each one heavier than the last. “Plus, his ex is a monster.”

I shake my head, pausing as our food arrives.

“Dana, if it’s great now, why worry about all that?” I ask as we dig in. “Don’t focus on the finish line. Just enjoy the race.”

Her eyes meet mine, a spark of mischief replacing the worry for a moment. “Maybe you’re right.”

Addison giggles from her carrier, drawing our attention. Her joy is infectious, and even Dana can’t resist breaking into laughter.

We finish our brunch, and I confirm that Dana is not , in fact, about to lose her job. That’s just a worst-case scenario her mind had conjured. She hugs me goodbye, promises to take things one step at a time, and we walk out of the restaurant. I load up Addison to drive back to the townhouse, and Dana heads home to work. We didn’t solve all the problems, but we did give her permission to date her boss.

For a moment, my brain flashes to what it might be like to date mine.

When we return to the townhouse, I carefully lay Addison in her crib. Soon, her tiny chest rises and falls with peaceful breaths, and I take a moment to marvel at the serenity of her sleep. Pulling the door closed, I gather the scattered toys and bits of life that have made their way to the living room floor.

A knock at the door pulls me from my domestic whirlwind. I peek through the peephole before opening it to find Ray, my old neighbor, standing there with a sheepish smile and a small stack of mail in his hand.

“Sorry to drop by unannounced,” he says, handing me the misdirected envelopes. “These found their way into my box by mistake, and I thought I’d bring them by. Maybe we could figure out a time for that dinner and drinks?”

“Thank you, Ray. Come in,” I reply, stepping aside. “Can I get you something to drink? Maybe some lemonade?”

I’ve barely finished the offer when my cellphone rings. Christian’s name flashes across the screen, and a knot tightens in my stomach. Ray steps into the living room as I answer, pressing the phone to my ear while I work.

“Christian,” I greet, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Who’s there with you?” comes his immediate demand. “You know the rules about overnight guests.”

My grip on the phone tightens, and a flare of indignation courses through me. “It’s the middle of the afternoon, and it’s just Ray, my old neighbor. He brought over some mail. There’s no need to—”

“He’s got a thing for you,” Christian interrupts. “I don’t want him around.”

“He’s just a friend. And who I spend time with is none of your business,” I counter, struggling to maintain my composure.

There’s a brief silence on the other end before the line goes dead. Christian has hung up on me. So much for the rapport I thought we were building. How can this man trust me with his child, yet refuse to see me as a functioning human being?

I lock eyes with the camera tucked in the kitchen’s corner. Blowing a kiss directly at the lens, I pull the lemonade from the fridge and pour a glass. “Watch all you want,” I whisper, though Christian can’t hear.

I exhale slowly, trying to shake off the experience. Returning to Ray, I apologize for the interruption and hand him his drink, determined not to let Christian’s weirdness overshadow the rest of my day.

But once we’re seated, my cheeks flame as I find Ray’s wide-eyed gaze fixed on my chest. Does Christian know something I don’t about Ray? Why is everyone weird all of a sudden? My phone rings again, and I grab it, mumbling, “Excuse me,” as I head for the balcony. It’s Christian again, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of answering. It rings through to voicemail as I take a moment to breathe. Dinner with Ray is the last thing that seems appealing now, but there’s no way I’ll let Christian think he can dictate my choices.

As I step back into the house, I hear Addison begin to fuss through the monitor. That’s it. This has to be a sign. I return to the living room to find Ray. I gesture to the monitor. “I’m sorry. I think you should go. Evidently, there’s a lot going on here at the moment, and I need to get the baby.”

“Of course.” His face is flushed with embarrassment, but he stands promptly, setting down his lemonade. “Let me know when you can meet for that drink and dinner.”

“I will,” I manage, ushering him to the door.

Once he’s gone, I rush in to Addison, cradling her softly, murmuring apologies for the delay. I bring her out for her dinner, and the stillness of the impending evening wraps around us.

We do our routine—bath, bedtime, stories—and it’s not a huge surprise that Christian doesn’t come home before Addison’s in bed. I guess he can see everything he needs to from the cameras. I sigh as I sink into the couch. Maybe I overreacted. He only wants Addison to be safe, and he doesn’t know Ray is harmless. But still, he doesn’t have to speak to me that way.

I consider what I might eat for dinner, but then I pick up my phone, hesitating only a moment before I send a message to Dana.

Me: Rom-com and chill?

I crave the company more than I care to admit.

Dana: Be there in 20.

Relief washes over me as I open Netflix, scrolling through endless options before settling on something light and funny.

The knock on the door comes sooner than expected, and Dana breezes in. She studies my face a moment. “Girl, you need this more than I do.” She laughs, sinking down beside me and pushing play.

We lose ourselves in the predictable plot twists and easy laughter of the movie, but when the credits roll, the reality of life nudges back in. Dana’s gaze meets mine, inquisitive and concerned. “So, how are things going?” she asks. “Did something happen?”

I shrug, picking at a loose thread on the throw pillow. “It’s hard.”

Dana nods, her expression earnest. “I know you have to be a little lonely with only you and Addison around most of the time. I don’t know what to tell you about Christian. I don’t entirely understand how he operates.” She sighs. “He has a reputation for thinking he’s God’s gift to women—and the world at large. Perhaps you’ve noticed,” she says with a laugh.

I nod. “That does ring a bell. And perhaps that’s part of why he’s almost never here. Off saving the world, you know…” I force a laugh. I don’t want to go into all the weirdness of this afternoon.

“Well, and don’t get me started on him being a man-whore,” Dana adds.

Ah . Of course. I’m sure that keeps him very busy as well. Perhaps that’s why he assumed Ray had nefarious intentions. Although I guess Ray did…

A sigh escapes my lips, and I nod. “I can see that as well,” I tell her. “But I don’t think that’s an issue for me.”

“Well, I’d hope he has more sense than that, but he might be a bit shameless.” She rolls her eyes. “Anyway, you’re too good for him.” She stands and stretches, pulling on her coat before giving me a quick hug. “You’re doing a great job here, Hailey. Even if it’s hard. And you can call me anytime, day or night.”

“Thanks. Really,” I reply, walking her to the door. As it closes behind her, the silence of the townhouse presses in again, heavier now that I’m alone.

I head to bed, the sheets cool against my skin as I slip under them. Despite feeling unsettled, sleep soon tugs at my consciousness.

The door alarm jolts me awake, and I squint at the glowing red numbers on the alarm clock. Two o’clock. I hear the soft murmur of Christian’s voice in Addison’s nursery. Pushing back the sheets, I go to her room.

In the nursery doorway, I watch Christian, his back to me as he cradles Addison close, the bottle’s nipple disappearing into her eager mouth. He hasn’t noticed me, but a waft of something hits me—stale cigars and a floral perfume.

“Where have you been?” I ask softly, but still, my voice cuts sharply through the quiet.

Christian turns, his expression is unreadable in the semi-dark. “What business of that is yours? Are you forgetting I’m your boss?” he asks, setting the empty bottle down with more force than necessary.

“Addison needs you,” I insist, stepping closer. “She’s starting to think you’re a stranger.”

Christian steps forward, and suddenly, he’s too close. I can feel the heat of his body, and it makes my heart race. His gaze flickers down to my lips, and for a second, I wonder if he’s going to kiss me. In the moment, the pull between us is undeniable, but I force myself to step back.

Addison fusses, and he turns away. “Go to bed, Hailey. I’ve got this.” His dismissal is curt, final.

Nonetheless, I stand there a moment longer, watching him put Addison back in her crib. Why is this so complicated? Though I’ve gotten much better at handling a baby over these last five weeks, I still feel entirely out of my depth.

Without a sound, I slip out of the room and return to my bed.