Chapter 3

My heart beats rapidly in my chest, and my breaths are shallow. As I rush out of the room, my vision is taken over by black spots. When I step into the elevator, I press a shaky hand to my chest and try to slow my breathing.

This can't be happening.

I need to quit right now,I think, as the panic completely sets in.

Arianna's little face flashes through my mind, and I know that quitting isn't an option. If I walk out of here, I won't have a way to put food on the table and pay our bills. No, I can't do that to my baby. She deserves the world, and I'll do anything for her.

I have to stay.

I have to stay.

Taking a deep breath, I try to pull myself together and come up with a plan.

All I have to do is avoid him, which shouldn't be hard. He's avoided us since I was pregnant. No, he doesn't deserve a moment of our time or to know anything about my baby girl.

With a shaky hand, I pull out my phone from my pocket. I'm not supposed to keep it on me, but they can kiss my ass. If something were to happen to Ari, I don't want the day care to have to hunt me down when they could simply call me. My daughter is my main priority, and nothing will ever change that.

Unlocking the screen, I pull up my texts and open Chloe's chat.

Me

He's here…

She replies instantly.

Chloe

Who? Jack the Ripper? The Zodiac Killer? Oh! Is Detective Joe Kenda there? Gotta give me more than that girlfriend.

I shake my head at her antics.

Me

Baby daddy.

Instead of texting, Chloe calls me.

"One sec," I say quietly as I step out of the elevator. To the right of the elevator is a utility closet, and I step inside. "Okay, sorry about that."

"First, I thought I was your baby daddy."

I roll my eyes even though she can't see me. "You don't have the right parts to be my baby daddy."

Chloe scoffs. "I don't have the right parts to be your sperm donor, but last I checked, I was there in the delivery room when you had Littles. Which makes me your baby daddy, but that's besides the point. What the hell is he-who-shall-not-be-named doing there?"

"He owns the place," I remind her.

"Yeah, but you said that he's never there."

"Well, clearly the internet was wrong," I deadpan.

"Seriously, though, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"I appreciate you trying to lie, but we both know you're not." She sighs.

We both fall silent as the gravity of the situation hits us.

"I need to get back to work before they realize I'm missing."

"Okay, just be careful. Whatever you do, if he approaches, you don't engage."

"Okay."

"I'll be over tonight with a bottle of wine and food. Then, once Littles goes to bed, we can binge-watch Murder in the Heartland."

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to."

I close my eyes as gratitude fills me. I don't know how I got so lucky in the best friend department. Chloe is genuinely the best.

"Sounds good. Later."

"Later."

I hang up and put my phone back in my pocket.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door. I step out and turn to go back to the front desk, only to jerk back.

Mason has his hands in his pockets and is walking right toward me. A smile takes over his face. "Olivia."

My stomach flutters at the sight of him and the sound of his voice. God, he's gorgeous. His dark hair is pushed back out of his face and is a little longer on top than it was before. His shoulders are filled out more, too.

I hate to admit it, but time has unfortunately been kind to Mason.

No, lock that shit down,I chastise myself.

"Mr. Williamson." I nod.

A look of confusion crosses his face, and for a split second, I feel guilty.

No. He doesn't deserve my attention.

"My brother Max said you're from the temp agency."

"I am."

"How do you like the hotel so far?"

"It's nice."

"You know, I've thought a lot about you over the years."

I force a smile. "I'm sure you did. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to work."

Mason reaches out and places his hand on my arm when I go to move past him. I jerk out of his reach.

"Whoa." He holds up his hands. "Sorry, I just wanted to talk to you for a moment and catch up. You look as beautiful as I remember."

Mixed emotions fill me. Pleasure runs through my veins over the fact he still thinks I'm attractive after having his child, but contempt quickly follows. How fucking dare he after ignoring us all this time?

"Thanks," I say sarcastically.

"Do you want to get together sometime and catch up?"

I feel my nose crinkle and sneer. "The last thing I would ever want to do is go on another date with you."

Mason jerks back as if I hit him.

Good.

He frowns. "I'm sorry. Did I miss something?"

I look him up and down and scoff.

This man is unreal, acting as if he has no idea why I hate him.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to work."

I force myself to keep my head high and my back straight as I pass by him, being careful not to touch him.

As soon as I round the corner and I'm out of sight, a wave of exhaustion hits me.

I'd pictured running into Mason a thousand times over the years, but I didn't realize how hard it would actually be.

I don't know if I can do this every day. Co-existing with him and acting like everything is okay when it's not. Not when he abandoned Ari.

I need to find a different job quickly.

* * *

I rub the back of my neck as I stare at Olivia's retreating form.

What. The. Fuck?

The Olivia I knew four years ago isn't the same one I just met. The Olivia I knew then was quick to smile, flirt, and touch. The way she blossomed under me haunts my dreams. Today, though, she flinched from my touch. Her eyes were full of animosity and disgust, and I wish I knew why.

Did I do something wrong back then?

Did I hurt her?

Did I read the signals wrong?

No. I chase the thought away as soon as it crosses my mind. She was into it, and she said yes. Everything about that date was perfect, with the exception of waking up alone.

It was a learning experience, though. I found out how it feels to be skipped out on the morning after. There was one other thing I took away from our night. Everything about Olivia was real. She didn't care about who I was or how much money was in my bank account. She simply liked me for me. There were no false pretenses with her, and I loved it.

I got high from it.

After that night, though, I looked at women differently. I always knew the women my mother introduced me to were vipers, but I just rolled with it. I played my part. After that Christmas party, though, I couldn't. I didn't want to entertain someone who was fake when I could be with someone real.

I need to fix this. Whatever it is.

Olivia's lived rent-free in my head for years, the one I've compared every woman to, and I know that's not going to change.

I just need to convince her to give me a chance.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Eli asks as he comes to a stop next to me.

"Just thinking, sorry," I say, shaking my head. "What's up?"

"Do you want to go grab a bite to eat in the restaurant and talk about all of this?" he says, looking around the place.

"Sounds good."

We fall into step next to each other and leave the employees only area. Halfway through the lobby, I hear it and bite back my groan.

"What are you doing here?" my mother sneers.

"I work here, ma'am," Olivia says softly.

Her eyes are wide, and she looks like a cornered animal.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath as I rush toward them.

"Since when?" my mother demands. She turns toward me as I approach and points at Olivia. "What is she doing here?"

"I believe she told you she works here." I lean forward and kiss her cheek because it's expected, not because I want to. "Hello, Mother. What are you doing here?"

She huffs. "I came to visit my sons."

"I see."

Mother adjusts her purse. "I need you to call security."

"Why is that?"

"To escort this thing out," she says, waving a hand toward Olivia.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch a pale-faced Olivia fold into herself.

"Mother," I warn, my tone harsh. "Miss Knight has done nothing to warrant security."

"Well, I don't want her here."

"Last I checked, that's not your call to make. This hotel is mine, and Max is in charge of the staff."

She huffs and opens her mouth to say something, only to be cut off.

"Mrs. Williamson, lovely to see you," Eli says smoothly.

Mother's eyes brighten. "Eli, how lovely to see you! Would you be so kind as to talk some sense into my son?"

Eli chuckles. "I'm afraid that's not possible. Both of your sons have minds of their own. Now, I hope I didn't overstep, but when I saw you, I booked you an appointment at the spa for a massage and facial, since I know how much you love them."

Mother perks up. "With Juan?"

"Of course. Would you like me to escort you?" Eli confirms that he got her in with her favorite masseuse.

"Such a gentleman," she coos before turning back to me. "Fix it, Mason."

I keep my mouth shut. Once they are a safe distance away, I turn back to Olivia.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly.

Olivia avoids looking at me. "I'm fine, Mr. Williamson. Disgruntled customers are a part of the job."

"Are you sure?" I press, narrowing my eyes.

Olivia looks up at me with cold eyes. "Yes, now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

Sighing, I watch her walk into the back room behind the counter.

What in the hell was that about? Why was my mother so startled by seeing Olivia? Truthfully, I'm surprised she remembered her, and what was up with Olivia's reaction? She seemed petrified before she shut down. Have they run into each other since that Christmas party?

My instincts are telling me to push and figure this out. I'm missing something, and I just don't know what.

"Ready?" Eli claps me on the back.

I bite back a growl. As much as I want to solve this now, it will have to wait. Eli and I have bigger matters to discuss.

I shake my head. "Yeah, let's go."

"Women, am I right?" he quips.

I roll my eyes. "I don't know how you get laid as much as you do."

Eli winks. "I'm fucking irresistible."

We step up to the hostess stand. "Just the two of you today?" she asks.

"Yes," we say in unison.

"Alright, follow me, please."

The hostess leads us to a private table in the back.

"Your server will be with you soon."

"Thank you," I tell her before turning back to Eli. "Tell me, how does it feel?"

He frowns in confusion. "How does what feel?"

"To be so deluded to think that you're a catch?"

He scoffs. "Please, we both know I am. My favorite meal is pussy. I fuck like I'm going for gold, and my bank account is overflowing. I'm the total package, and then some."

A squeak has us turning to see a young, blushing server.

"H-hi, I'm Kylie, and I'll be your waitress today. What can I get you two to drink?"

As soon as we place our drink orders, she runs away, and I mean runs.

I turn back to Eli and raise a brow. "Way to go, you traumatized the staff. We're going to have to pay for years of therapy for her now."

"Nah, she'll be fine," he says as he stares off at the doors she went through.

"No sleeping with the staff."

He turns back to me with a raised brow. "Interesting you should mention that considering you've already done just that."

I clear my throat. "We should get to work."

Eli hums but lets it slide.

He's not wrong, though. We do have a no-fraternization policy. Luckily for me, Olivia isn't held to all our rules. I just have to convince her to date me before Max can buy out her work contract and hire her to work for us.

Easy.

I just have to remind her how good we can be together. Surely it can't be that hard.