Page 81 of Stolen Fate
I crossed my arms over my chest. “And even if there was? That shouldn’t concern Jace.”
“Really? Are you blind? Have you not seen the way that man stares at you?”
I scoffed, though I could feel the heat rising on my cheeks. “You’re seeing things. There is nothing going on between me and Jace.”
I wanted those words to be true, yet the lie tasted bitter on my tongue. I wondered if Jerry could see straight through me.
“Really? Because everyone who works under Mr. Reed knows him by that title. We have never, nor would we ever, use his given name.”
“He told me to call him Jace,” I muttered quietly, and Jerry’s eyes brightened in triumph. “I can’t be with him,” I added. This was feeling more and more like a sad replay of a broken record. “He’s my boss. He’s Elliot’s dad.”
Jerry shrugged. “Call me optimistic, but I think it would be great for Elliot if things worked out for you and Mr. Reed. Elliot could finally have a mom in his life who loved him more than anything in the world. And anyone with eyes can see that you do.”
I looked out the window miserably. It wasn’t something I hadn’t thought about before. If things worked out between Jace and me, I could be with Elliot for the rest of our lives. I could move on, and after living the past five years in misery, I just wanted to move on with my life and be happy again.
“And if it didn’t work out?” I asked quietly—so quietly, I wasn’t sure if he heard me or not. But Jerry responded a quick moment later.
“Then you both move on and act like mature adults, putting your emotions aside to do what’s best for Elliot. That’s all there is to it.”
The car pulled to a stop.
I looked to my other side and noted the big, intimidating building. I looked back at Jerry.
He smiled a little. “Despite what I said, I don’t think Mr. Reed would mind if you visited him while he’s at work.”
“I’m not visiting him,” I said with a frown. “This isn’t a social call.”
He smirked. “Whatever you say. I’ll be waiting out here for you, okay? Don’t take too long.”
I rolled my eyes. “You know this is the most I’ve heard you speak?”
He shrugged. “I never really had anything to say until now.”
“I’m glad to see my nonexistent love life really brought out the Chatty Cathy in you,” I said drily.
Jerry’s lips twitched in what looked suspiciously like a smile.
I pulled the handle and climbed out of the car. I didn’t really think about where I was going until I actually got inside the building.
Wow, the place was busy.
It wasn’t even lunch time, yet. I had just dropped Elliot off at school. Jace must have just arrived at work, which meant I was really second-guessing my decision to go to see him.
It had felt like a good idea in the car.
I hadn’t wanted to talk to him with Elliot present, now I wondered if I should have turned back around. The only thing was, I would have to face Jerry armed with the knowledge that I didn’t do what I came here to do, and after making such a fuss in the car…
Yeah, I didn’t think I wanted to face him just yet. I thought that perhaps I could grab some coffee from the small coffee cart I saw nearby and stall for time.
I was still debating on what I should do when a mean-looking bald man made his way to me, and though he was in a black suit, he didn’t look like he was working a corporate job.
No, he looked like security, and he was heading directly toward me.
Gosh, was he here to kick me out already?
I realized I must have stood out like a sore thumb with my blue jeans and Boston University sweatshirt, but I didn’t think just standing around would merit having a security personally escort me out.
But his dark eyes were focused intently on me.
