Barnett gestured for me to sit down, and I took one of the plush armchairs across from his desk.“Can I get you anything?” he asked. “Water or something?”I shook my head. “No, I’m alright.”He nodded and sat down in his leather chair. “Either Lily is clairvoyant, or she convinced you to come here,” he said after a moment of awkward silence.“She’s adamant that we talk.”He just nodded again.Another long stretch of silence ensued as I searched for something to say.“You look great,” he said. I wasn’t used to this awkwardness between us. It seemed to squeeze at my throat, preventing the words from rising. So much time had passed, and he felt both familiar to me and completely a stranger.“I heard about your father,” I answered, ignoring his compliment completely. That felt like dangerous territory. “I’m sorry he was sick. Is he doing better now?”“He is,” he said. “It was tough going for a while, but he’s doing a lot better now. Good enough to kick me out, anyway.”“He sounds like a c
“I’m the father,” he repeated.I nodded. “That’s why I was trying to find you. I wanted to tell you, but after what Julia said, I thought you never wanted to see me again. If not for Lily, I would have continued to think that. Still, I’m sorry you’re only finding out now.”A sad look crossed his face, and he put his head in his hands. “God, I’m sorry.”I stood up and walked around the desk. His muscles tensed, but he didn’t look up as I ran my hands over his shoulders. “You’re here now,” I said.“I should’ve been with you the whole time.”He swiveled around in his chair and hugged me, his face resting lightly against my stomach. I ran a hand through his soft blond hair. “I’m so sorry,” he said. He looked up at me and gave me a wide smile. My heart skipped a beat. “I’m really happy, Anna.”“You are?”“You have no idea.” He still hadn’t let go of me, but I didn’t want him to. I never wanted him to. If I could have stayed in his arms forever, I would have.“I’m happy too,” I said, tears
9 years later… I sat down in the first row, my coffee cup balanced in my hands. The rink was cold, and I was bundled up in a sweater and a winter coat. Beside me, Lily sat with my daughter on her lap. Winnie was just three years old, and she was already asleep on Lily’s shoulder, the hood of her pink parka pulled up over her head. The sight of them together warmed my heart.“Damn, she’s getting heavy,” Lily said.I smiled. “I know. They grow up fast.”She nodded. Lily didn’t have kids, and I didn’t think she ever wanted to. She was happy being Cool Aunt Lily, and I thought that was amazing. She still traveled all over the world, bringing exotic gifts back for her niece and nephews.“She asks about you all the time now,” I said. “She calls you ‘wi-wy.’”“Adorbs.” Lily hugged her closer. “We’re going to be besties when she’s older.”“For sure.”“Scratch that. We’re already besties.”The first period was about to start, and I sat up straighter. Both teams were on their benches. I could
My hands, shaking from hunger, dropped my favorite dessert plate. I should’ve taken that as an omen. Instead, I bit back my tears, swept up the pieces, and returned to the party with a smile plastered on my face. Bob sat out in the living room, mingling with our guests while I set the table. He truly shined as the center of attention. It was his night, after all. He would be taking his father’s place as CEO of his family’s cosmetics business. Some stockholders were nervous about the exchange, but everyone in the know knew that there was nothing to worry about. Bob’s mother was the real brains behind the operation. I kept these thoughts to myself, of course. Bob deserved nothing but my unwavering support. And he always got it. I set the last plate of chicken marsala on the table and smiled. Perfect. It was worth the pain clawing at my stomach. “Dinner!” I called out to the living room. Soon, everyone had gathered around the table
I couldn’t remember the last time Bob and I had sex. I was always busy with housework, and Bob usually worked late. I smiled slightly at the thought of the white roses he had brought me just a few mornings ago. He had worked especially late the night before, not even bothering to come home. He apologized profusely when he gave me the flowers and told me he just didn’t want to disturb me. I mentally cursed myself. I should’ve seen the writing on the wall. I pulled the mystery man’s jacket tighter around myself and forced back my tears. “Are you okay?” the man asked. It must have been the millionth time he had asked me that, but damn it felt good to have someone care. I smiled. “I’ll be fine.” “You know, you’re actually taking this pretty well.” “I am?” “Yeah. I know a lot of women who, in your position, would’ve ripped their husband’s balls off.” I giggled. “Why would I do that? I don’t have much use for th
I smirked as the incoming nurse let out a chuckle.Bob’s face turned red. He grumbled something under his breath, but I couldn’t make out what it was. He slunk towards the door, but just before leaving, he regained his composure and turned to face me.“Make sure you come get your shit once they let you out of here, or I’ll leave it on the lawn,” he said with a finger in my direction.Bob left before I could respond.“That your husband?” the nurse asked.“Ex. Soon to be.” I hadn’t expected the first time I said that to feel so freeing.“Honey, I don’t know the whole situation, but from what I just saw, you are much better off without him.”I grinned, but my heart still ached a little. “Thank you.”“Don’t tell me you started the party without me?” a familiar musical voice called out from the door.I had to laugh, even though it hurt my stomach.“Never without you. You’re the life of the party!”I turned to greet my beautiful best friend, Lily. The thin, robust Tik Tok travel influencer
“Stop right there! Unless you want a million people online to watch you committing assault. In which case, thank you for providing all the evidence in person!”Peter’s fist immediately retracted. I had never been so relieved to hear that clear, bright voice.“Hi, Lily,” I said softly.Everyone turned to the door to see Lily standing there, her phone’s camera pointed at Peter. To me, she looked like a superhero straight from the gym with her designer sweats, sports bra, light jacket, and high ponytail. She even had her free hand placed on her hip.Lily made her way through the room, phone still held up, until she stepped between Peter and me. The expression she gave him dared the man to mess with her and find out what would happen.“I’m live right now, so everyone better keep that in mind,” she warned. She leaned into me. “Are you okay?”“Yeah, luckily, he didn’t get any hits in. He just touched my butt.”“Excuse me?” Lily shrieked. “And no one did anything about it?”“I slapped him.”
My eyes widened, but I forced myself to stay calm. It had been so long since I had last seen Barnett. His blonde waves were even more breath-taking than I had remembered, his toned muscles more captivating than I had dreamed.I swallowed several times before speaking.“Nice to meet you, Barnett—”“Cogsworth. Barnett Cogsworth.”His deep voice sent shockwaves down to my groin, but I remained composed. There was no use in losing myself to my hormones like some love-struck teenager. What I felt back then didn’t matter now.“That’s right, Barnett Cogsworth. Nice to meet you,” I said, as though meeting him for the first time. I hoped that my voice did not betray the fire burning in my stomach and below.Barnett turned to Lily, who shrugged helplessly. I could tell that this had not been the reaction that Lily had been hoping for, but hopefully she wasn’t about to push it. Barnett returned his attention to me and took off his sunglasses.I struggled to repress my reaction to seeing his full