Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Hadley

Elijah: How did Lucy like her unicorn?

Me: She hates it.

I’m lying…

She won’t stop taking it everywhere.

Elijah: Someone’s moody.

Me: Never worse than what you are.

Elijah: I’m honored at how well you know me.

Me: I’m overfilled with joy.

Elijah: You’re being a smartass, aren’t you? I mean, butt.

Me: I don’t think we can be friends after all…

Elijah: I finished Eli’s car. I’ll drop it off after work.

Me: Ok. I should be off by that time.

Grinning down at my cell phone, I reluctantly put it back in my purse and shoved it into my tiny locker in the break room. My thirty-minute lunch was almost over, but I heard the phone buzz as I shut the locker. Thinking it might be Elijah again, I quickly grabbed it and frowned when I saw it was a text from Scott.

Scott:I’ll come get Lucy and Eli this weekend.

I’d heard that one before.

Me: I won’t tell Lucy and let her be disappointed if you don’t come.

Scott: I’ll be there. I miss her. I miss all of us, Hadley.

I didn’t know how to reply. I didn’t feel the same way. On that day, I recalled everything and saw what was wrong in our relationship clearer than ever before. There was no sadness or anger—just clarity. Scott’s actions helped me see that we never had a relationship. I had to allow him to see the kids although he kept breaking his promises. As for us, we were done.

_____

“So, tell me about this neighbor… The one Lucy keeps talking about.” I could hear Olivia’s grin through the phone.

I groaned, ignoring the weird feeling that flooded my chest at the thought of my not-so grumpy neighbor. “It’s not like that, so get rid of that tone.”

“What tone?” She played dumb.

“The one where you think you know something and you don’t.”

“Hadley, you know it’s okay to have fun, right? You’re an awesome mom, and there’s nothing wrong with taking a day or two to have fun every once and a while. I’m sure Mom and Dad wouldn’t mind keeping Lucy and Eli a few hours so you can spend some time with Holly. Don’t you miss hanging out with her?”

I sighed, rubbing my forehead as I washed dishes. “They do enough with me working. I’m not asking for more help.”

“How about I come in and stay a few days before school starts back? Let you go out a night or two.”

The idea was tempting, but then I looked over at the kids and felt guilty. I chose this life. It wasn’t fair to ask others to raise Eli and Lucy while I enjoyed myself. “No, it’s okay.”

“Hadley,” she groaned. “At least enjoy the neighbor’s company.”

“What?”

She laughed. “Lucy told me he’s been over the last two nights.”

“It’s not like tha—”

“I know, chill,” she said with a sigh. “So he’s not such a bad guy, anymore?”

“I don’t think so…”

“Good, you could use a friend.”

“You make me sound pitiful.”

“You are pitiful.”

“I’m hanging up.”

“Love you. Tell the babies I love them.”

“I will. Love you.”

Perfect timing. The second I set my phone down on the counter, there was a knock on my door.

Elijah.

Wiping my hands on a dishtowel, I strode to the door. His man scent flooded my nostrils as I opened it. Someone showered before coming over again. I noticed his hair was still damp as he thrust the car out toward me. “Here you go.”

“It’s amazing,” I told him honestly, then waited to see what he planned to do next. He simply shifted his feet side to side and waited expectedly.

Sucking in a breath, I asked, “Would you like to come in?”

“Elijah!” Lucy screeched as she ran toward us. My daughter pushed past me and grabbed his hand. “Want to watch a movie?” He simply laughed and let her lead him inside.

Not even fighting my smile, I shut the door.