Page 75 of The Wrong Boss

Oh, only that you’re a father and I’ve been lying to you this whole time.I shook my head. “Nothing. Go. I’ll see you at work tomorrow morning.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Yeah.” He dressed quickly, then walked over to my side of the bed and planted a kiss on my forehead. “See you tomorrow.”

I nodded, forcing a smile. When the door closed behind him, I felt very alone.

THIRTY

CARRIE

Since I was heading backto the city with the rest of the support staff, I flew commercial, jammed in between two passengers near the back of the plane. Back to reality. The trip was quick and uneventful, but I was still exhausted by the time I got off the train and considered the half-mile walk back to my house. I could definitely make the walk with my small duffel on a good day, but tonight wasn’t good. The cab ride was extortionate for how short it was, but I paid the fare without complaint.

And when I opened the door to our condo and heard my daughter’s elephant steps pounding down the stairs, a bit of weight lifted from my shoulders.

“Mom!” she cried, barreling toward me. She crashed into my legs and wrapped her arms around my waist. “You’re back!”

“I’m back,” I echoed, stroking her hair.

“Hailey did my words tonight and I spelled ‘dispute’ right! That’s a third-grade word!”

“Good work,” I said, grinning as pride swelled in my chest. “Are you excited for Friday?”

“I can’t wait!” she said, hopping like a bunny in her glee. She wore her favorite pajamas—white flannel with little bumble bees buzzing all over the fabric—and fuzzy black socks.

I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight, feeling like I’d just stepped back into real life after a trip to another planet. It was a bittersweet feeling. “Let me put my bag upstairs and wash up, and then we can read a book together. Have you brushed your teeth?”

“Yes,” Evie said. “Can I have three books?”

My lips twitched at the familiar negotiation. More books meant she could eke out a slightly later bedtime—but I was feeling slightly wounded and indulgent, so nodded. “Sure. Go choose your books and I’ll meet you in bed.”

Evie took off up the stairs, and I turned to look at my cousin, who was leaning against the wall. She spread her arms and I hugged her.

“You look like you’ve been through the wringer,” she noted.

I huffed. “Something like that.”

“You want to talk about it? Seth got a case of fancy wine as a thank-you gift from a client. We could crack it open and catch up.”

“That sounds good,” I said, squeezing her again. “But I don’t want to drink all the fancy wine before you get to have any.” I glanced at her bump, which seemed to have grown in the few days I was gone.

Hailey shrugged, smiling. “There’s plenty of wine to be had in the future. But you look like you need some now.”

Laughing, I relented. “Fine. But I owe Evie three books, and I desperately need a shower.”

“I’ll have your glass ready and waiting,” she promised, and an hour later, I found out she did just that. I sank down on the sofa next to Seth and Hailey, who were snuggled up on the other end of it, and let out a long sigh.

“That bad, huh?” Hailey asked, nudging the glass full of ruby liquid toward me.

I shook my head, eyes flicking to Seth.

Hailey grinned. “Is this a girls-only type of conversation?”

Seth—gentle, kind Seth—put up his hands. “I know when I’m not wanted.”

“Stay,” I said. “I can’t just drink your wine and kick you out of your own living room.”

“I’ve got some work to finish up,” he said, kissing Hailey on the forehead before bidding us goodnight.

I watched him go and let out a long sigh. That was exactly why I needed to move out and give the two of them space. They deserved privacy while they grew their family—not me trundling in, drinking their booze, and kicking them out of their own living room.

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