Page 12 of Where We Belong

“You’re fine,” I answer, but then add, “You might want to make sure Tallulah gets to be daddy’s girl too. I get the birth order, but you don’t want her to end up with some trauma because she didn’t get enough attention.”

Bodhi bobs his head slowly, staring at me. “Thank you for the tip.”

I wave a hand and turn around to prepare my coffee, trying to deal with all the emotions suddenly colliding inside my chest. Memories of my father, dreams that can’t come true, and this man who is perfect, but doesn’t make any attempts to reach out and get to know me.

“So, is it okay if we head back on Wednesday?” he asks.

“Of course.” I keep my tone light as I pour milk into my coffee. “Thank you for offering your apartment while I wanted to get away.”

“Don’t mention it,” he answers breezily. “We could plan something when it’s Miriam’s turn with the kids.”

“Sure, let me know what works.” I stir my coffee, staring into its depths. What else can I say? Even on his off weeks, he’s still in their lives, and Miriam is in his unless she’s traveling.

I take a seat, grabbing a croissant to give my hands something to do. “So… is it safe to ask why you two divorced?” I ask casually. “You seem to have a great relationship now.”

Bodhi scoffs. “Fuck, that was five years ago.” He shakes his head, brow furrowing. “We just grew apart over time. She couldn’t stand that I was more successful. Our kids were basically raised by our parents, not us.” He pauses, nodding to himself. “She was falling in love with her boss too.”

He meets my gaze. “Miriam didn’t cheat, but we realized our love for each other had faded. I think having Tallulah was a last attempt to fix our family but with a new baby…” He trails off. His gaze is lost in some distant memory. “Things just spun more out of control.”

And though everything he said matters, I hold onto the one thing I can use. They fell out of love. So people can fall out of love, huh?

Can I do it?

Can I fall for Bodhi as I’m falling out of love with Ben?

“What are you thinking?” he asks, studying my face.

I reach for his hand and squeeze it, forcing a smile. “Nothing much, just thankful you’re trusting me like this.”

“I’m trying,” he says simply.

But something in his tone makes me uneasy. He’s trying to do what, exactly? A sliver of doubt worms its way into my mind. Should I end this relationship before it goes too far? But if I do, what comes next for me? I feel lost, torn between the safe comfort of Bodhi and the unknown future without a dream and without Benedict Farrow.

Chapter Six

Cory: How many architects are you contacting?

Ben: Hello, Cordelia. How are you doing today? In case you’re wondering, I’m doing wonderfully, thank you for asking.

Ben: Wait, isn’t it one in the morning on your side of the world? Are you drunk-texting me?

Cory: I’m actually on my way to San Francisco and why in the world would I be drunk-texting you?

Ben: :raised-eyebrow: emoji Are you already flying home?

Ben: You’ll drunk-text me because you miss me. Somehow I feel like you ghosted me.

Cory: Yes, we had to cut our trip by a few days.

Ben: You ignored the part where you ghosted me six months ago, but are you okay about cutting your vacation short?

Cory: I don’t have anything to say about your ridiculous ghosting suggestion. As for the trip, it’s fine. Bodhi needed to leave earlier. I can go to France when Atzi visits her family.

Ben: It doesn’t sound like you’re okay. More like you’re convincing yourself that it’s for the best, but deep down you’re feeling disappointed.

Cory: You got all that from my text?

Ben: Yep. You’re the kind of person who’ll do anything for others if it makes sense. It doesn’t mean you’re a doormat, only that you put other people’s needs ahead of yours.

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