Page 39 of Dad's Best Friend's Secret Baby

Fuck.

Maybe his behavior was acceptable. It should be a constant pointer to everything I stood to lose if that continued. We shouldn't indulge each other.

I knew that. But there was this pang of hurt and disappointment that twisted my stomach each time he became dismissive. Each time he’d suddenly changed after….

Ugh.

I shouldn't be hurt. It shouldn't bother me because now I know better. There wouldn't be a third time. I would make sure of it.

After settling in the chair, I brought out my phone to scroll through Instagram. A wide smile curved my lips when I saw a reel. While at it, I quickly shot Emma a text.

Emma was my high school friend here in New York before I had to move to Minnesota. Even in Minnesota, we still maintained communication. Since she was still in New York, I hoped we could catch up again someday.

She replied a few minutes later, and we started chatting. With each text, my grin widened.

Emma: Girl with a blushing emoji.

Evie: You always start everything with girl.

With a laughing emoji, I replied.

Emma: Haha, it's basically an exclamation for me.

Evie: Btw I'm starting a new job today. I’m getting ready. My palms are a bit sweaty from being so damn nervous.

Emma: You've got this! What company is it anyway?

I smiled.

Evie: Thorne Industries.

I watched the three typing dots appear and reappear until her message dropped.

Emma: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!!

The dots danced again until.

Emma: AND YOU’RE IN FUCKING NEW YORK??

Yikes.

Evie: Oops, time to go. Bye bye.

Emma: There's no escaping this. We will talk about this later!

It was ten minutes past seven. I grabbed my small black bag. Then stepped out of the room. There was one thing left to do.

I quickly knocked on Sophie’s door. When she opened it, I lowered myself to wish her goodbye. “Sophie, Grandma will take care of you today. I have to go to work.”

I'd told her this before. But her reaction remained the same– blank.

I met Lewis, who was waiting for me when I reached outside. I wasn't surprised. His boss had already given him instructions. He’d drive me for as long as I worked at the company.

“Good morning, ma’am; I'll drive you to your workplace now.” He greeted me with a slight bow.

“Thank you, Lewis,” I muttered when he opened the door to the black Mercedes for me. In no time, we were on our way.

Over thirty minutes later, we got to Vanderbilt Avenue.