Page 53 of Anything For This Love

“A while,” I respond vaguely, pouring her a cup of coffee and handing it over. She adds her cream and sugar, blowing on it before taking a sip.

“I didn’t even hear Chloe get up.” She glances into the living area where Chloe sits entranced with some cartoon I found on one of my streaming services.

“I may have intercepted her in the hallway and shut the door so we didn’t wake you,” I reply jokingly.

She smiles at me gratefully. “I don’t remember the last time I slept this late. It feels pretty good.”

We try to squeeze in as much family time as we can before Abby has to head home. She packs Chloe into her car in the early afternoon, promising to call when she makes it there. This trip was much shorter than I would’ve liked, but both of us have to work tomorrow.

“When will you be in town again?”

“Not sure. Send me your work schedule and I’ll make sure to come in when you’re off for the weekend.”

“Sure.”

I kiss her goodbye and wave at Chloe, who is already looking sleepy. She’ll be out cold by the time they hit the highway.

One week.

That’s all it takes for a small-time news outlet to turn my world upside down. First, they post the clip of Abby talking about me being an amazing father the day after New Year’s, attached to an article claiming I wasn’t around when my daughter was born. It may be true, but that’s information nobody should have.

Then a few days later, they post another piece about me, claiming I’m dating someone else on the side. The headline reads:

Son of presidential hopeful plays the field while his father hits the campaign trail.

They have pictures of me having lunch with Erin and us walking side by side with my coat slung over her shoulders. The pictures are from the day we had lunch with Simon and Jerry, but our coworkers are conveniently cut out of each shot. My blood boils as I read through the trash they claim in the article, spouting that I was seen cozying up to an unidentified redhead. What in the actual fuck?

I have to tell Abby about this. If she sees it, I’m a–

My phone rings in my pocket, interrupting my train of thought. Seeing that it’s Abby, I answer immediately.

“Is it true?” she asks as soon as I pick up.

I hold the phone out from my ear, confused for a split second. Realization sets in and my heart begins to race, my stomach clenching as nausea climbs up my throat. She’s seen the article.

“You saw it?”

“Yes, I saw it!” she cries, muffled sobs crackling over the line.

“Abby, we weren’t alone at that restaurant. Two of our coworkers were there. We were having lunch as a group.”

“Then why aren’t they in the picture? It looks like you’re alone with her.Andshe’s wearing your coat.”

I can see now how bad it looks. Our friends were only away from our table for one brief moment. That means somebody must have been watching me, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

“One of them was in the restroom and the other stepped away for a minute to take a personal call. I don’t remember which was which, but we were only alone for a few minutes. As for the coat, we were walking back to the office after lunch and the wind was harsh that day, and she didn’t have one. I was trying to be a gentleman.”

She continues to cry, and hopelessness settles into my bones.Will nothing I say convince her that I’m not being unfaithful?

“You have an answer for everything,” she spits.

My hackles rise at her accusation. Does she really think I would do that to her? After everything we’ve been through, the trip we took together over Christmas, the promises we’ve made to each other… How could she possibly believe I could go behind her back to be with my coworker, of all people?

“How can you think this garbage is true? It’s manipulation, and you’re buying into it. You’re seeing what they want you to see.” She doesn’t respond, but I can still hear her quiet sobs. I push down my irritation and try to reason with her. “Abby, you met Erin. You saw us interact. Did I do anything to make you think I was secretly having an affair with her?”

“No,” she replies somewhat begrudgingly and sniffles. “But she seemed awfully fond ofyou.”

I grit my teeth, wishing we hadn’t run into her that night.

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