Page 134 of More Than Words

“Rough night, O’Neill?” A voice teased from my right, and I peeked one eye open. Sloane was leaning against the wall beside me, hands folded across her stomach. She looked perfectly put together, as always, but I was sure I looked like a hot mess. Trying to get dressed with a clingy baby who screamed if you put her down was not easy.

“Little bit. How’s your morning going?”

“Good. Good. Did Isobel get home alright last night?”

“I’m sure she did. We didn’t ride in together this morning. I told her to stay at her place last night so she could actually get some sleep.”

She frowned, turning toward me once enough people had gotten off so she could move. “She seemed a bit off at dinner last night, so I sent her home early. Having a newborn is rough, so I want her to take her time transitioning back in, but I appreciate her willingness to help get this rights deal to bed. She’ll be a real asset in New York with me next week since she has an existing relationship with the author.”

“She’s eager to get back into her normal job duties. I know she’s felt guilty that her maternity leave didn’t go as planned.”

“She has no reason to feel guilty. These things happen. I’m just glad we could accommodate her leave so you two could handle what you needed to. While it wasn’t ideal, the rest of the team was able to handle your absences.”

“Do you think she’s ready to come back? Other than being tired, how did she seem yesterday?” Since Sloane had spent more time with her than I had, I wanted to see how much of an intervention I needed to stage when I finally tracked her down.

“Not her usual self, but that’s to be expected when you’re functioning on broken sleep. Honestly, she was fine all afternoon and throughout most of dinner. I think she had a minor wardrobe malfunction and seemed embarrassed about it, so I sent her home so she could change and get things situated.”

She must have noticed my confusion and leaned in, circling her palm in front of her chest. “Poor thing had a leak that seeped into her blouse. I tried to tell her it happened to most of us at some point or another, but I could tell she’d been crying.”

Fuck. She’d been embarrassed the first time she’d leaked through a nursing pad while we were still in the hospital, too. No one really cared. She was obviously a new mother, but she’d started hiding herself to pump after that.

“If Isobel comes with me, are you ready to go solo with Finley for a few days next week? You’re welcome to work with her in your office if you need to at any point.”

“I’m sure we’ll manage,” I replied. It’d be a battle to get Isobel to go with Sloane on this trip, but we’d manage without her because she needed to go. “She’s done well in the daycare so far. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

“Let me know if you guys need anything. I know some of the stodgy old execs think letting parents have flexibility while their kids are little is too new age, but I’d rather have happy, productive employees than risk people burning out or worrying about absences they can’t control.”

“And we appreciate that,” I said as the elevator doors opened on my floor. “It was good talking to you.”

“Hug that little cutie for me. I might need you to bring her to my office once we return next week for some snuggles.”

As I walked to my office, I checked my phone again, frowning as I saw a text from an unfamiliar number.

Unknown: Is got to my place safe last night. She’s sleeping in my guest bedroom, but I think she needs some time to talk through things before she goes home. Are you okay with Finley another night?

Adrian: Who is this?

Unknown: Leila. She showed up at my apartment last night in tears.

Adrian: Is she still there? I’ll head there after work if she needs me.

Leila: She was in rough shape. I don’t think she wants you to see her like this. She doesn’t know I stole your number from her phone.

Adrian: Please keep me updated on how she is. I’m worried about her. She’s been so depressed lately and nothing seems to help.

Leila: A bestie Come to Jesus talk is coming her way when she wakes up. I’ve pulled her out of it before, so I know how she shuts down. Please don’t give up on her. She’s been through a lot, and I don’t think she’s processed a lot of it.

Adrian: We’ll be okay today. Please try to convince her to talk to someone.

Leila: On it.

Adrian: Thank you.

Leila: Thanks for not being Dickhead anymore. I honestly think you’re good for her and it’d be easy for you to give up on her, but I know you’re a solid guy who’ll stick it out.

Adrian: Giving up on her wouldn’t be easy. And it won’t happen.

It hurt that she didn’t feel she could come to me, but if it meant she’d finally go talk to someone instead of retreating into herself, I had faith Leila would talk some sense into her.

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