Page 27 of Forbidden Desire

“Well, you’ve definitely made it easier.”

He presses the button for the elevator and as we wait, the question I’m dying to ask him tumbles out of me.

“Did you just give me the promotion because you felt bad for me?” I blurt out.

He looks at me in surprise and hesitates before saying anything.

“I gave you the promotion because you earned it. It’s something you should have gotten on the rooftop that night before I messed everything up. I went through everyone’s files, and you’re the one with the most tenure. The most drive. The most passion.”

I take a deep breath, feeling pride well up in me.

“People here trust you. More than they do me.Itrust you.That’swhy you got the promotion,” he says seriously.

He trusts me. The secret I’m keeping feels even heavier than before.

The elevator doors ding as they open. We both step inside, but stand on opposite sides of the elevator. As we pass each floor on our descent I stay silent. I know I should say something, but I can’t get anything out. I don’t know if it’s because he’s told me everything I have wanted to hear after busting my ass at this paper for so long, or if it’s the way he looks at me in that way. The same way he did on the rooftop, at the jazz bar, in his bedroom.

The elevator doors pour us out into the large lobby and we walk in silence to the large glass doors. It’s not until we are out on the sidewalk about to go opposite directions that I’m able to say something.

“Thank you,” I say, looking him in the eye.

He gives a single nod before stepping to the curb and holding up his hand for a cab. A yellow one pulls up almost immediately and he opens the door for me. I scooch inside and he closes the door after me before giving me a new smile—a sad one. I give the driver my address and he pulls away, leaving Marco alone on the sidewalk.

On the drive to my apartment, my head is swimming and all I want to do is hold Josie and hear her laugh. But when I gethome, Sadie opens the door and holds her finger up to her mouth.

“She’s sleeping,” she says softly.

My face can’t hide my disappointment.

“We tried to keep her up for you,” says Beth as she pops her head out from the kitchen.

“This one was doing puppet shows from behind the couch,” laughs Sadie, pointing her thumb at Beth.

“I’d like to see that,” I say with a smile.

I look between the two of them and feel so grateful to them for everything they do for me and Josie. They love her like their own. They’ve been helping out the past week, picking her up from daycare and bringing her home while I work these long hours. I know it won’t last forever. It’s just this week has been so busy with the move. I hope it settles down soon because I miss my daughter.

I place my purse down on the small entryway table and walk to Josie’s nursery. Carefully, I push the door open and tiptoe inside. She’s sleeping peacefully in her crib, looking like a beautiful angel. I reach into her crib and stroke her head, listening to her steady breathing.

“I love you, Jojo,” I whisper before leaning in and kissing her temple. She stirs slightly before falling back into a deep sleep.

Leaving her room, I close the door behind me and walk to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of wine and three glasses. I fill each one and balance them in my hands as I walk to the couch where Beth and Sadie sit. I hand them each a glass before I collapse onto it in a tired heap. It’s not the long workday that has me exhausted. It’s Marco and the rollercoaster of emotions I feel. I take a long sip of wine and lean my head against the back of the couch.

“Rough day?” asks Beth.

“Just long. This move has been harder than I thought.”

“How is your new office?” asks Sadie.

“It’s beautiful. I’ll show you pictures once it’s all done. The furniture company delivered everything today.”

“I hope you picked out the most expensive pieces,” says Beth, smiling as she takes a sip of wine. “He owes you that.”

“Beth!” I say, shoving her playfully.

“Hey! I’ve got red wine here!” She giggles.

I roll my eyes and ask about their night with Josie. They fill me in on the daycare’s report, which is nearly always the same. Sheplayed. She ate. She napped. Sadie picked her up and brought her back here where she made her favorites for dinner, mac and cheese and applesauce. They read some books and then Beth came over as soon as she closed her flower shop, stopping to get some baked goods for the next morning.

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