The Wright One

HANNAH

Work on Monday seemed normal enough, but also really awkward. Justin couldn’t look at me at all. It seemed like he was avoiding me. I was kind of avoiding him too. It seemed like he almost kissed me in my kitchen. And I wanted nothing more than to let him. It might have all been in my head. I think something might be wrong with me. I mean this is the guy that got me pregnant and broke my heart. Yet he says some smooth lines and I am ready to fall for him all over again, my heart be damned.

I can’t let that happen though. I have to be strong because I can’t afford to lose everything right now. I would have to leave town again. Then Justin might file for custody of Caden. I don’t know how to even face him. My mom might lose her house. Just everything can go wrong if I let my guard down.

After the whole day of us avoiding each other, Justin stops at my desk. “So, Hannah, I know this is kind of awkward, but I told Caden that he could come to the family dinner that we are having on Saturday. He’s really excited. I would like it if you came too, but I understand if you don’t want to.”

I feel like I can’t breathe. I cough a little. “Well, I guess it’s alright. I mean if you want to pick him up that would be fine.”

He looks down, like he is sad. “I see, you don’t want to come.”

I shrug. “I’m just not sure it is a good idea.”

“Would you please reconsider. I would really like you to come. My family would like to see you again.”

I blink back at him. “Oh, they want me there. Well, I guess I could.” I hate that it sounds like I thought he wanted me there. I guess just his family wanted me there. This is why I think it is all in my head. Like with Cole he said it was Caden that didn’t want him around. I mean he did say that he didn’t want to see me with another man but he said it like some primitive caveman thing rather than he wanted me himself. I am just seeing more there than there is. Again.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

He gets a small smile. “Great. I’ll let my mom know that you will be there. I’ll pick you both up around five.”

I shake my head. The more space the better. “I’ll get us there. It’s not that big of a deal. I remember where it is.”

He nods. “Yeah, sure.” Then he just leaves. I don’t even know how to read anything that is going on with him. I am his personal assistant and he hasn’t even hardly talked to me today. I mean I get it, he is starting a new company, he’s busy. I just don’t think he is talking to me for some reason. Like he doesn’t want to.

The rest of the week went like that. We would talk in short conversations that left me more confused in the end. I wasn’t sure what the hell was going on. The end of the day Friday, Justin came to my desk again. “Hey, Hannah, are you sure you don’t want me to pick you both up? I really don’t mind.”

“I will get us there. I promise.” I smile, like it’s all a joke.

“I know you can get there. I just kind of want to arrive together. That’s all.” He gives me that smile. That smile that makes me melt a little inside.

I sigh, feeling my own walls crumbling. “Alright, we will be ready at five.”

His smile gets bigger. “Yeah?”

I laugh a little. “Yeah.”

He composes himself a little better. “Cool. I’ll pick you both up tomorrow at five.”

I can’t believe that actually made him happy. I would like to think it is just in my head, but the look on his face is clear. He is happy. I don’t know why giving us a ride to something would make him that happy. It doesn’t make a lot of sense.