Page 24 of Keeping Promises

“And I’m not? Whose fucking side are you on, man?”

“Hey, don’t pull that. I’m just saying that you both are scared; emotions are heightened all around, and you guys just need to talk it out. I don’t know, give her time. Let her come to you when she’s ready.”

Ben quickly pulls me into his arms and slaps my back. “And for the record, I’m always on your side.”

A throat clearing in the doorway forces us apart. “I’d say I’m sorry for interrupting, but then again, payback’s a bitch.” Lexi smiles, but this time, it doesn’t fully reach her eyes like earlier.Did something happen in the short time she was in her office? Did she speak with Hadley?

Ben walks around to his computer, shutting it off and grabbing his jacket from behind the chair. Slipping it on, he takes the sonogram photos and holds them out for me.

“Well, what do you say we head out to dinner. Anyone have a preference?”

“Nope,” Lexi says with a loud pop of thep. Her eyes are narrowed and haven’t left mine. If her eyes had lasers, they would have burned a hole right through me. I guess it’s safe to assume that she talked to Hadley and isn’t my biggest fan without even hearing my side of the story.

I sigh, and my shoulders deflate. “Whatever works.”

Ben slaps my shoulder, turning me toward the door, before he stops and extends his hand to Lexi. She takes it but turns, giving me the cold shoulder. There seems to be a chill in the air as we head toward the elevator. Ben is either oblivious to it or avoiding it; either way, he makes no point of fixing it.

“Come on, guys, let’s celebrate this little one. Maybe we can drop off some food at Hadley’s apartment on the way home.”

“Oh no, she’s not up to company at the moment. Something todaydefinitelymade her sick.” I sense the rough edge of her tone. Yep, she spoke with Hadley. Maybe over dinner, I can try to explain—that I’m not that same guy, and if I can convince Lexi of that, then perhaps I can convince Hadley of that, too.

---