“Why is that?”
“It’s bad because I wanted to ask you out. Guess you’d never go for a guy like me if you’ve got a guy like that, though, right?”
I give him a tight smile. “I’m not so plastic. If I’m with someone, it’s because I like them. But, I’m not available, so it’s kind of moot.”
“And you think that’s a likeable guy? He’s hardly here. He was one of the first to move in after the building was built, but he’s only here every couple months. When he is, it’s a different woman all the time. More than a few have left the place in tears. Two just this week in fact. Heartbreaker. Must be somethin’ special about you if you’ve managed to tie him down. Are you two tied or is it open so you can both see other people?” He eyes me from head to toe again in a very oily way.
“Um, no offence, but none of your business. I gotta go. Have a good night.” I wave and jog across the road and head right. I do not like the vibe of that guy. At all.
Two blocks away, I find a sub shop. I go in and sit and eat a sandwich and take my time finishing. I wait until after eleven o’clock before I head back.
I’m relieved to see a different guy at the security desk.
He gives me a professional nod when I flash my key at him on my way to the elevator.
***
I open the apartment door quietly and the light from the TV is providing a bit of light and Braeden is still on the couch, under his Pooh blanket, but Aiden is pacing in the dark, his phone to his ear.
I close it quietly and twist the lock.
He’s talking. “Okay, fuck. Yeah, it’s fine. I’ll keep him. Keep me posted, okay? She’s only a couple weeks early so it’s gonna be okay, right?”
I’m about to slip by him to my room as he hasn’t even looked at me, but I stop.
“Okay, yeah. Bye.”
He looks at me.
“My sister went into labor.”
“Oh no.”
“She’s been on bed rest. Had a rough pregnancy. But her water broke tonight, so Dirk had to run her to the hospital. They can’t get ahold of their nanny. My brother and father are there. My mother…she… she can’t watch him.”
“Go. I’ll stay with Braeden,” I say immediately.
He looks at me with shock.
“Go. Be with your family. I’ll keep Braeden.”
“You’re sure?”
I nod. “If you want me to.”
“If you could, yeah…”
“Go. I’ll say a prayer that she and
the baby are both okay.”
He grabs his keys from the table and heads out the door. He stops at the door. “Thanks, Pea… Thanks, Carly.”
He’s gone.
I lock the door.
Braeden sits up. “Where am I?”