Page 36 of The Grumpy Billionaire Baby Daddy

“Well, I think I can show my feelings better. A little. I’m not angry most of the time too.”

“Okay. Can you tell me just two things that you like about Fiona?”

“Are we going to spend the day talking about Fiona?”

“Just two.”

The memory of her beautiful brown hair and piercing blue eyes, along with the innocent way she smiles, comes back to me.

“Uhmm…I think she’s really pretty and she knows how to be vulnerable with people.”

A stray thought causes me to pause. Am I learning vulnerability from Fiona? That’s…that’s not possible.

“I think you should consider spending more time with her. Get to know her, and take note of as many admirable attributes of hers as possible. Also, take some time to reflect on all the ways you’ve been changing. We’ll talk about that the next time you’re here. Is that a deal?”

I stare at the brown rug, running everything he’s said through my mind. Why do I need to do that?

I grimace. “Fine.”

As I drive home, Sean’s words keep ringing in my head.

“Is it more that you don’t know or that you can’t see it yet?”

But what’s there to see? My nightmares stopped the same time I met her. So what? The memory of her tears in the vacant room downstairs tugs at my heartstrings, and I can't help but feel a sense of remorse for causing her pain. It's not just her honesty and candor that I admire, but also her unwavering courage to be true to herself. Fiona wears her heart on her sleeve, a trait that's both vulnerable and captivating. There's an aura of excitement and adventure that surrounds her. When was the last time I had some healthy fun that wasn’t sex or alcohol?

The weight of my cowardice hits me like a ton of bricks as I recall leaving Fiona after our little tryst and then hastily escaping the next morning. It's mortifying how I ran away from a mere conversation about it. If only I could explain to her that my flight was spurred by the fear of my own emotions. I've never allowed anyone to get that close to me before, and my aversion to vulnerability keeps robbing me of meaningful connections and causing pain to those who can't fathom my actions.

I look out the window, watching a man walking to a black car beside a boy in uniform who’s probably around thirteen. I was about the same age when the high school senior did what he did to me. My grip tightens around the steering wheel as I try to shove the memory down. I never told anyone about it, not even mom. I didn’t know how she’d react to it.

As I approach the house, my phone vibrates — Eva. I want to ignore the call, but after she got upset the last time, it wouldn’t be wise.

“Hello, Eva.”

“Hi, Jace. You free today? I’m having a couple of friends over for drinks and games tonight. I thought you might be interested.”

“Uhh…I wish I could, but I’m honestly exhausted. Just coming from my therapist’s office, and there’s a lot to process.”

“Oh. Makes sense. That’s okay. Take care.”

I drive into the house and step out, hesitant. So, I’m just supposed to go to Fiona and talk? I exhale, walking to the house. A part of me looks forward to it. I’ve seen her just once since the sex thing, and that was the time she came to my room to talk about it. Maybe I can find a way to apologize to her for my coldness after sex.

When I step into the house, the whole place is silent, and there’s no one in sight.

Where’s everyone?

I look up at the lobby on the other end upstairs, where Richard’s room is located, it’s empty. All of a sudden, strange sounds fill the air, but they’re not from his room. It sounds like —

My eyes go wide.Fiona.

I march up the staircase to her room, my fists clenched. The closer I get, the louder her voice. It sounds like she’s moaning. Isn’t that Richard’s voice? My head spins as I stand in front of her door, and I push it without thinking. Sure enough, both of them are in here, with Tex. They jump in shock as the door flies open. There’s an awkward silence as they stare at me, puzzled. Tex jumps toward me, barking. I’m such an idiot. They’re just playing with Tex. How’d I think anything like that would be happening?

Tex jumps on me, licking my hands. I stoop as he skips all over me, wagging his nail.

“Hey, boy! How are you?”

He licks my neck.

“Woah. Easy.”

---