Page 141 of More Than Words

“What’s going on?” Sloane asked, placing her hand on my forearm while her eyes widened. I hoped leaving like this didn’t completely derail things, but I couldn’t sit here and pretend it was where I wanted to be.

“I need to get back to Boston to be with my family. Finley is sick and I know Adrian can handle a sick baby alone, but he’s got enough going on with his grandfather in the hospital right now and he shouldn’t have to.”

I looked across the table to Nikki, expecting her to be upset that I was leaving like this, but she was smiling.

“I know you wanted me here to help you make this decision, but if it doesn’t feel right, then it’s your decision to make. I’ve loved working with you all these years, and I hope I get to continue working with you on upcoming projects. I understand if this makes you lose faith in my ability to…”

Nikki laughed, waving her hand. “Isobel, go. You know I love a good grand gesture, and it sounds like you’ve got one to make. Sloane can help me figure out where to sign, and I’ll talk to you later.”

“Are you sure? I can…”

“Go!” She pointed at the door, and I looked down at Sloane. She winked and nodded her head at the door.

I didn’t even hesitate as I grabbed my things and ran down the hallway, stopping only to grab my suitcase from behind the reception desk.

Nikki was right, I had a grand gesture to make.

You know those scenes in a movie where the hero or the heroine rushes through an airport to make a romantic gesture? Well, mine was not quite as graceful.

After I’d fled from Vivid’s offices, I’d caught a cab to the airport. While we were stuck in traffic, I pulled up the flight schedules, and it looked like there was one leaving in an hour and a half that would get me into Boston three hours from now. That felt like an eternity, but it was either that or waiting for my original flight almost eight hours away.

Four hours later, my Uber was pulling up to the front doors of Vivid. I was sure I looked like a hot mess from rushing through the airport, but I didn’t care. I was finally where I needed to be.

Thankfully, no one was on the elevator, but it moved entirely too fucking slowly on its way to the tenth floor.

Andrea’s replacement at the admin desk tilted her head as I rushed past her, heading in the opposite direction from my office. I wasn’t even sure if she knew who I was because she hadn’t been here for very long before I went on maternity leave.

I could hear voices as I approached Adrian’s office and slowed, trying to straighten my disheveled clothes before he saw me. I didn’t want to make him even more worried about me than he had been.

“Bel?” Hutch’s voice carried as I stepped into the doorway and Adrian spun, Finley held to his chest.

“Hey,” I whispered, hesitating before I stepped toward them. Finley’s cheeks were flushed, and she looked miserable, but she was in one piece. Thank God. Moisture pooled in the corners of my eyes as I stared at her sweet little face. How could I have left her?

“Aren’t you supposed to be in New York?” Adrian whispered, swaying slightly from side to side as his big palm cradled our daughter.

“Yeah, but I left early,” I responded quietly, running my fingertips over her hair. She felt warm, but she was awake, so that had to be a good sign.

“Why?” he asked, stepping closer so our sides touched. “I told you she was okay. You didn’t need to rush back here because she’s got a bug. Babies get sick.”

“I got your texts while I was in the meeting, and I knew I needed to leave.”

His brow furrowed as he looked at me, and I could tell he was probably wondering if I had a mental breakdown, but I still didn’t regret my decision. “What about the contract?”

“She signed. Or at least I think she did. Both she and Sloane told me to go, but she said she was going to.”

But that was all background noise at this point because the center of my universe was right in front of me. The only part of my life that truly mattered. Things with my job would be there later.

“You didn’t need to come. That wasn’t why I texted you. I could have handled this. Kids get sick, Is. It’s probably going to be frequent with her being in daycare.”

“I know.” I nodded, but the concerned look on his face never faded. “But I shouldn’t have left with everything going on right now. I’m sorry that I screwed this all up. I know you probably hate me, and I wasn’t there when you both needed me, but I’m trying to be here now.”

“Um,” Hutch said, clearing his throat. “Not that I’m not enjoying this adorable little family reunion, but you two do know that we’re still in the room, right?”

I turned, taking in Hutch’s casual lean against the couch on the other side of the room in stark contrast to Andrea who sat ramrod straight next to him looking like she wanted to be anywhere else but here.

“He’s right, maybe we shouldn’t do this here.”

Adrian turned, leaving me standing by the door to his office while he handed off the baby to Hutch.

---