“Oh El, baby, this is killing you. Let’s just see what happens. We can always find out and leave it at that.” Not sure if Micah is trying to convince me or himself, but it does sound like a plan. It also gives us time to figure out what we will do if given the chance to see him.
“I have no fucking clue what is right or wrong here.” Matt’s frustrated, running his hands through his hair before he storms off. I get it, but I have no words to comfort him. I can’t even console Micah. Feeling useless is not a feeling I enjoy. In this situation, we have three complete different emotions and ways to look at it, when it comes to Michael. I’m the one who gave birth and had to let him go. Micah’s his father, and he never had a chance to see him. But all the same, he can’t change what happened. Being his father and trying to do what is best for him should be his only concern. Matt, on the other hand, is his uncle and he looks at this differently. I’m not the girl he left to have a baby alone. He’s not the father, he’s the uncle who wants to get the chance to see his only nephew.
With what sounds like a frustrated sigh, Micah said, “Let’s go home.”
I concur. What a first day!
THE NEXT FEW days were pretty much the same, although I had the office running like a well-oiled machine. Trevor is off and running, finally able to concentrate only on his job duties. In doing so, it has taken a lot of pressures off Matt and Micah. With me running the front, everyone’s morale seems to be on the upswing. Every day I’ve feel more comfortable in my role at Taylor Securities, finally letting Micah, and I relax for a change. I had no idea all the cool things our company has to offer and what different types of security we provided to our clients. It’s impressive and a big change from dentistry.
Today, is a day I’m dreading. Micah had to be in the office early for an appointment with a client. I told him I’d rather come in later when the office opened. We’ve been riding together every day, but I just needed some time to myself, because today will be hard enough for me. I have yet to tell him, and I’m not sure if I even should, at this point. Some reminders are just too painful.
Taking my time walking into the office my cell rings, digging in my purse, I find it and press call without even looking at the caller ID.
“Hello.”
“Hey, El.” A voice I flatly did not expect to hear hits me until I realize what this day holds for me. Why am I surprised to hear his voice? Of course, he’d reach out to me.
“Hey Nick, it’s nice to hear your voice.” I stop walking and slide against the wall, I’m left breathless just hearing the voice that has been my calming force for so long.
“Just wanted to say I’m sorry for the way I acted, I’ve been going back and forth with myself if I should even call you today. I guess,” his voice trails off but I can hear his deep breathing. “I’m just thinking about you.”
I have to sniffle, as a big lump forms in my throat.
“That is so sweet of you, and I appreciate it. I’m lost here.” I hate to admit it, but when my hands start to shake, I’m overcome with the urge to run and find a place to hide for a while.
“Does he know?”
“No.” My sigh comes out with a half hazard laugh. “I’ve yet to tell him. Not sure any good would come of it.”
“Elsa, I have no answer for that. To be honest, when it comes to him I couldn’t give a shit. For you, I’m wrecked. I know how hard this day has been for you. Even after all this time.”
Wiping away a torturous tear, I head straight for the bathroom. Undoubtedly at the same time, Micah walks out from his office with a very tall, voluptuous, blonde beauty. His smile from ear to ear is the first thing I happen to notice. Secondly, the way her hand is gently resting on his shoulder, in a way that implies she’s familiar with him, does not sit well with me. He’s yet to notice me, so I rush to the bathroom, hopefully going unnoticed.
“Shit,” I whisper.
Hiding out in the bathroom won’t help me one bit, but it buys me time to gets my wits about me. I spend a few minutes convincing Nick I’m okay, and I’ll chat with him soon. That satisfies him, so I’m off to start my day.
Rounding the corner to sit at the desk, I see Micah chatting with the same blonde, still smiling ear to ear only now he’s put distance between them. He’s behind the desk, and she’s enthusiastically leaning over it, exposing her chest. My immediate reaction is to gag, but instead I walk up putting my arms around him, staking my claim. Work or no work, she needs to realize he’s not available.
That does the trick because her eyes narrow, shooting daggers straight at my smiling, perky face.
“Hey babe, I was wondering where you were?” Micah sweetly says turning to give me an affectionate hug. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was trying to send a message to his overly eager client, too. Either way, it works for me. I’m the one who he has his arms wrapped around tightly.
“Micah, you never said you had a lady friend.” With an eyebrow arched, she questions him in a less than warm tone.
What? Who the hell says lady friend now days?
“Well.” Micah shifts his weight a few times looking extremely out of his comfort zone. “It never came up because Elsa is my personal life, and is none of your business. We only discuss business Carla.”
He says matter of fact, and I have to say, he handled her perfectly.
“Oh, don’t play cool because she’s standing here.” She says way to condescending for my liking.
I’m not sure if she’s trying to get a rise out of me more or him, but I swear I can see her daggers coming out.
Her grin mischievous. “We both know differently.”
Her first attempt did not draw a reaction, so she just had to try again. Only this time she’s tapping her red nails on her lower lip.
Coughing or choking, I’m not sure which, but Micah had to take a minute to respond.
“Excuse me?” He’s face reddens when I pat his back trying calm him before he goes off on his client. It would seem she views her working relationship quite differently than Micah does.
“Micah, seriously forget it. Let’s talk installation dates?” She’s dismissing her inappropriate comments, with a subtle shrug of her shoulder and an eye roll to boot. My mouth is hanging open. I stare at her wondering what the hell? I slowly slip around Micah, distracting myself by filing the latest papers on my desk.
“Okay, let’s keep our conversations strictly business and we’ll get along just fine.” Micah says matter of fact.
Not sure if she can notice, but she just dodged a bullet, if not from me, definitely from Micah. He shrugs off his anger looking for dates to install her new security system.
“Whatever.” She says with an annoyed sigh.
AN HOUR LATER, I get a phone call from my mother wanting to see me. Odd, since I’ve not spoken to either of my parents since that dreadful day. I realize why she’s calling, and I decide it’s a battle I don’t want to have with her today, so I agreed to meet her over lunch.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Micah asks me again for the tenth time.
“I’m sure, let me find out what she wants. I’ll call you later.”
He knows my mood is off today and that something is bothering me. He’s annoyed because I won’t talk about it with him. To be honest, I just want to forget it. Unfortunately, Nick’s phone call does nothing to help me forget, even though his heart was in the right place. Can’t fault the guy, he has a big heart.
“Mom, where are you?” I call out entering the house. It’s so quiet, it’s downright eerie.
Walking to the kitchen the first thing I see is their mail spread out on the table. But, no mom! No noise. It’s as if she’s not even here. Getting myself a glass of sweet tea, I’m sitting at the table looking at a magazine, wondering if I can find ideas for my new home. I could surprise Micah with a few great decorating ideas.