Page 96 of Better Daddy
“She doesn’t want to be with him,” Lo says softly, joining me by the door. “She wants to be with you.”
My body revolts at the idea of not demanding answers, but bloody hell, they’re right.
I slump into my office chair. Just as my arse hits the cushion, my mobile chimes in my pocket.
Sloane: Hi, you don’t have to pick me up tonight. I’ve got another late-night dinner with a client, so I’ll just stay in the city.
My heart plummets.
“What?” Lo asks, peering down at my mobile.
I don’t even bother hiding the screen. No, I let the device clatter to the table.
She hisses in a breath. “It’s not what you think. I’m sure of it.”
But even she doesn’t sound sure.
Still, I do what my brother says.
Me: Okay, sweetheart. If you need anything, just let me know.
Chapter 34
Sloane
The silence in the penthouse is eerie.
Sure, having my own bathroom with an actual tub is nice. As is the freedom to pull off my bra when I walk in the door. But I guess I’ve gotten used to all the noise. I miss the sound of the boys playing Legos after dinner. And one of my favorite parts of the day is settling on the couch with Lo, me with a cup of tea and her with a glass of red wine. Also, Ping-Pong has become strangely entertaining. Mostly because Cal can’t resist hitting Sully in the head with the ball repeatedly. As chaotic as the small apartment is, I miss it more than I imagined I could. Even if I’m only away for tonight.
All day, I warred with myself over whether I should stay here or go home. My heart urged me to go home, but I needed the peace the penthouse offers so I could study up on the three new cases Will Sr. had given me.
Before filing for divorce, that’s what I did at Murphy and Machon. Easing into estate law after maternity leave was simple since the work was mostly handled outside of court. I could do it after T.J. went to bed so long as Sully could manage T.J. when I had to meet with clients.
Truthfully, Lo was the one to watch him because Sully’s careerwas always more important. He had more going on. He was a partner. He had court.
To a degree, I understood. Even if I hadn’t, there was no changing Sully’s ways.
At least the old Sully’s. The new Sully? He’s surprised me with his patience and care and thoughtfulness every day. He’s surprised me by putting me and our son before his work time and again.
And for the time being, T.J. is in school, giving Sully and me equal opportunity to invest in our careers. We’ll have to figure something out after Tia is born, though.
Rubbing my belly, I lie back in bed and talk to our girl. I can’t wait to meet her. Can’t wait to see what she looks like. Who she looks like.
After a moment, I force myself to focus again on the computer screen in front of me. Or I try to. It’s late, and the words are all blurring together. I’ve been working for far too long, but every time I remember how eager Mr. Higgins was to move me to trust law, a zing of energy courses through me, giving me the motivation I need to make it a little farther.
Just as that boost of energy begins to wane, my stomach flutters and I freeze. Chin tipped, I stare at my rounded belly and will her to do it again. Tia’s been very lazy, unlike her brother, who I could feel doing gymnastics in there at fifteen weeks. Maybe that means she’ll be a more laid-back child.
God, one could wish.
When that magical bubbly dance reappears, I splay my hand over my stomach and drop my head back, laughing. God, that feels good. I’ve spent most of this pregnancy worrying about what could go wrong. Yet this moment feels nothing but right.
I pick up my phone, wishing I were home so I could share this moment with Sully.
Home. Did I really just call the apartment in Jersey home?
My heart stumbles a little at the thought.
And even more so when I realize the answer. Home is wherever Sully and T.J. are. And right now, they’re in Jersey.
