Page 80 of My Baby's Boss Daddy
“Tell me where you are,” I repeated, pausing to run a hand over my face. “I can come and get you.”
“It’s better if you don’t. Please don’t make this harder than it has to be, for Ron’s sake.”
A lump rose in the back of my throat. “You can’t just leave.”
“I can pass the phone to Ron if you want, or you can talk to him during dinner.”
“I’ll talk to him later—”
“I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later, Bernard.”
Before I could say anything else, the line went dead. I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it for a few seconds before I placed it back in my pocket. Then I stood there, clenching and unclenching my hands at my sides. A few moments later, I balled my hands into fists and let out a scream.
It reverberated inside of my head.
Rivulets of sweat slid down my face and formed on the back of my neck.
I stormed back into Rachel’s room, got down on my hands and knees, and checked under the desk and bed. When I was finished, I checked the closets, ripping the drawers open and trying to ignore the panic growing in the center of my chest.
Lead settled in my stomach when I tried to call Rachel.
She didn’t pick up.
The tightness in my chest grew worse.
This couldn’t be the end for us.
Abruptly, I made my way back into the hallway and went through Ron’s room, desperate to find a clue to lead me back to them. Halfway through my search, I found myself standing inthe middle of the living room, staring at the open door leading out into the empty hallway.
Why had I waited too long to make things right?
Not knowing how to be in a healthy relationship had hurt Rachel, but I didn’t want to lose her for good. Although I didn’t know the first thing about making things right, I knew I wanted to. Having Rachel and Ron in my life over the past few months had turned my whole world upside down.
I didn’t want things to go back to the way they were.
I had gotten used to coming home to them after a long day at work.
I missed Ron telling stories at the dinner table while I snuck glances at Rachel and held her hand. I couldn’t imagine sitting at an empty breakfast table without the two of them sitting across from me, trying to rub the sleep from their eyes. And I kept seeing Rachel curled up against me, her bright blue eyes full of emotion.
Rachel and Ron belonged here, with me.
And I had every intention of bringing them back.
I stood up straighter and returned to my own apartment. I spent the entire ride in the elevator raking my fingers through my hair. By the time the doors pinged open, it felt like I was going to be sick. I found Jonathan waiting next to the curb, his head tilted back to enjoy the sun.
He straightened his back when he saw me and held the door open.
Once I was in the car, I set the phone down in my lap and stared out the window. The world outside rushed past. I pressed two fingers to my forehead and rubbed in slow, circular motions.
A short while, Jonathan came to a stop outside a cluster of sleek, metal buildings. I stumbled out of the car, lifted my head, and squinted. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of movement, and she appeared, in a dark pantsuit, with her hair in loose waves around her shoulders.
She slowed to a halt when she saw me. “What are you doing here?”
“I know you know where Rachel is,” I began, pausing to bridge the distance between us. “Taylor, I know I screwed up, but I want to make things right.”
Taylor searched my face, a frown hovering on her lips. “What makes you think I can help you?”
“Because I know you know where Rachel is. She’s not just your friend. You and Rachel are family to each other.”