Shit.
Stepping out of the elevator, looking like a supermodel, she spots me and plasters on a fake smile. As usual, she is dressed to the nines in a perfectly pressed pantsuit with nine-inch pumps. Her blonde hair is styled (yes, straight out of the salon) and her skin looks nicely tanned and extremely clear. She makes it impossible to hate anything about her. At least if she had a giant mole on her nose and a long chin, I could refer to her as a witch.
“I didn’t expect to see you here…with the baby.”
She peeks her head into the stroller and finally gets a glimpse of her soon-to-be stepson. There, I said it. Pulling back instantly, her fake smile makes another appearance. “He’s pretty.”
Pretty? She called my son “pretty”? No one calls my son pretty and gets away with it. I may have been polite to her before, but this time she has something I want, and I’m not in the mood to play nice.
“Masen is a boy, so I’m not sure ‘pretty’ is the correct word.”
“Oh, you know what I mean.” She shrugs it off. “My mind is all over the place. Since Haden postponed the wedding and all. The caterer is booked for the next six months so I’ve been running around trying to find a new one. It’s just been a mess.”
“I’m sure you’ll find one.” This time it’s my turn to bring the fake smile to the table.
“We’d better. The wedding is next Saturday.”
“You’re getting married next Saturday?” I almost choke.
“Uh huh. This is it. I told Haden no more postponing and he agreed,” she squeals. “I hope you’re free?”
“I…uh…Masen will probably cry and stuff.”
Did I just say that? Excuse me while my heart throws itself onto the ground so it can continue to be stomped on, along with any self-respect and dignity I have left.
“Well, that’s another thing. We’d really like it if Haden’s mom pushed the baby down the aisle. Actually, I bought this little outfit for him and my mom decorated my old carriage with lace and flowers.”
She pulls out her cell and flicks through photos while I continue to stand here, shell-shocked. The wedding is still going to happen and everything Haden said was nothing but empty promises. Lies, to be exact.
And just at that moment, the realization that maybe I’m living in denial in this sick and twisted game is like a sword piercing my heart, continually stabbing me till I am out of breath. My hands have clasped onto the handle of the stroller and all I can see is my knuckles turning stark white. My breaths are few and far between, and all the while, I hear the echoes of Eloise’s laugh taunting me, naming me a fool.
“Oh! Here it is!” She places the cell in front of me and I push it away, unable to control the fueling rage inside of me.
“He is my son,” I grit. “I don’t care what you do. But don’t you dare expect to have my son attend your wedding!
“Presley, I—”
“I don’t want to hear it!” I face-palm her. “You don’t care about Masen. Shit, you didn’t even have the decency to come see him.”
“I sent you flowers,” she answers defensively.
“Oh!” I laugh sarcastically. “I didn’t realize flowers were the same as meeting your future stepson.”
She remains still, her face in complete and utter shock at my outburst. And I’m just getting started.
“I don’t know why the two of you are getting married. But know this. My son will not be a part of your lives. If I have to move hell and earth to make that happen, I WILL!”
I push past her, and thankfully, the elevator opens on cue. The second I’m inside, I repeatedly tap the close button till her wretched face disappears, allowing my tears to fall freely. With clouded vision, I take out my cell and send two texts: one to Vicky confirming that tonight is still on, and one to Jason, letting him know I’m excited about dinner.
I have no clue what I’m doing. And that’s the thing about broken hearts; they open up a dark abyss and all you can do is try to stop yourself from falling into that dark hole. Even if that means spending the night with your ex to get over the man who never intended to steal your heart.
Vicky arrives to babysit Masen while I get ready for my dinner with Jason. It’s no coincidence that I chose to wear my short black dress that fits even nicer than before with my new, full bust. I accessorize it with a ruby-red necklace, my hoop earrings, and those red pumps that the Jerk drooled over. They also happen to be Jason’s favorite piece on me.
“You look too hot. MILF type of hot. The girls are totally out for show. Unless, of course, they’re out on purpose…”
“It’s nice to dress up.”
“Pres…what’s going on?”
I grab my purse off the night stand and kiss Masen on the forehead.
“Nothing. I’ve having dinner with a friend. That’s it.”
“Okay, but we need some sort of code in case you want to come back and get laid.”
“It’s not like that. I’m going. Please call me if Masen won’t settle,” I gently remind her.
She simply smiles and I kiss her on the forehead too before heading out to my dinner date with Jason.
Sitting in close proximity to Jason makes me realize how much I’ve missed him. Everything about him is so familiar and comfortable. Everything about him is drama-free.
He takes a sip of his red wine and I can’t help but stare at him. He has aged, just a bit, and his hair is now a salt and pepper color that reflects his maturity. His eyes still do that thing to me, calming the storm brewing in my head. With his hands resting on the edge of the table, I remember how many times I’ve kissed his fingertips, how many times his fingers have trailed my body. All the things I haven’t experienced with the Jerk.
And fuck him! Stupid motherfucking jerk!
“So tell me, how did this happen?” he asks.
I swirl the glass of wine, taking small sips so as not to get too intoxicated. I had cleverly pumped enough milk to last a lifetime so I know I can have a glass and express my alcohol-infused milk down the drain. I start from the beginning, leaving out the whole “it happened in the alleyway” part. No need for graphic details.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Honestly? At the time, I was ashamed. It was so careless of me. You know me, I’m one to stick to a plan. This was a shock to me. I had no choice but to accept the reality of the situation.”
“And now?”
“It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Masen is my life,” I answer honestly, smiling at him.
Behind the glass he is holding to his lips, he hides his sly smile.
“Why are you smiling that way?”
He takes another drink and motions for the waiter to bring him another. “Because, motherhood suits you.”
“I seem to be hearing that a lot.”
“So you’re not with the guy…Henry…”
“Haden,” I correct him.
“Whatever.”
“No, Haden is engaged and it’s really complicated.”
Ain’t that the fucking truth! I desperately want to tell him the full story, but I’m scared he will convince me to never speak to the Jerk again. It’s not such a bad idea after what happened with Eloise, but it’s not just about my feelings anymore. It’s about Masen and what he deserves.
“Well, sounds like a jerk.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, what can you do?”
“You find yourself a real man, Pres. A man who’s willing to give you everything.” His eyes twinkle as they stare directly into mine. Moving his hand towards my side of the table, he plays with the ring sitting on my middle finger. My chest is pumping, but it’s not all because of this intimate moment. It’s the guilt that I feel for sitting here with Jason when my heart belongs elsewhere.