this man didn’t deserve every ounce of it. He seems completely delighted, which is the most shocking thing about it all.
“Wow,” he says, after a moment. “What’s her name?”
“No way.” I almost add a mister, because I can still hear Delilah’s voice in my head. But that’s not my style.
“I guess I deserve that.”
“And then some,” I say, crossing my arms.
The man clears his throat, looking properly chagrined for the first time. “We didn’t get off on the right foot, I’m afraid.”
I snort, and he sighs, all traces of amusement sliding off his face, replaced with apology.
“I’m actually quite sorry. Sometimes my mouth moves a little faster than my brain.”
“So, you still would have thought it, just not said it? Sounds like my friend was right about your manners. Maybe you need a reset of the mind, not just your mouth.”
His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and I slowly raise mine, channeling my very best in threatening looks.
“You sure shoot straight. Look, I am sorry. My name is Thayden. I’m one of Gavin’s best friends and his lawyer. He missed breakfast and wasn’t answering his phone. I got concerned, and I came to check on him. I was a little thrown off seeing two beautiful women leaving his house. He never has women here.”
So many words to process. This man is Gavin’s best friend? Yikes. But my mind snags on the bigger and more important fact that Gavin doesn’t have women here. Not that it’s any of my business.
“He’s sick.”
He frowns. “What kind of sick?”
“It’s a virus, going around our office. He caught it from his personal assistant.”
“Nancy? Is she okay?”
My shoulders sink a little in relief that he knows Nancy and seems concerned. Maybe he has a heart under all the smarminess on the surface.
“She’s getting better. It’s pretty fast and furious, so hopefully he’ll be up and around later today.” When the man moves toward the front door, I shift to block him.
Like Delilah’s attitude, this seems to amuse him. He must like his ladies with a kick.
“Do you mind if I check on him?”
I don’t let him pass right away. But honestly, I’m out of my depth here. I’m definitely not the one who should be here taking care of Gavin. This guy is apparently Gavin’s good friend, though with his attitude it’s hard to believe. He knew the code to the gate and knows Nancy. He’s probably fine. Even if he’s a world-class jerk.
“I didn’t get your name.” He holds out his hand, and for a moment, I just stare it down.
He’s chuckling by the time I finally take it, squeezing his hand firmly without a smile. “I’m Zoey.”
His eyes spark with recognition and amusement, like some puzzle piece slid into place, and he shakes his head. “Yes, you are.”
I almost ask him what that’s supposed to mean, then decide I’m not sure I want to know. He walks into the house ahead of me, and I realize suddenly that Ella is in there somewhere. I had forgotten all about her. More evidence I would never be a mother.
But remembering, I’m filled with an intense protective urge, like I need to shield both her and Gavin somehow. To preserve their privacy and the delicate strangeness of this whole situation. It makes very little logical sense. But I hate thinking about half the people in Gavin’s life to know about his daughter before he does. And Ella really doesn’t need any more strangers shoved at her.
“Thayden, wait!”
I grab his arm, but he’s already halfway in the door. He stops just inside, and I know before he even says, “And who might you be?” that he’s seen Ella.
I shove my way past him and move to Ella, who has the kind of stillness about her that a woodland creature does when a predator stumbles upon them. Like if she just stays frozen, she’ll be invisible. I don’t even question the urge to throw my arm around her shoulder and pull her into my side. I just do it.
“This is Ella,” I say. And that’s all I say.
I can see the gears turning in Thayden’s head as his eyes bounce between the two of us. Ella looks more like her mother with her strawberry blonde hair. Maybe she could pass as mine if you’re not examining too closely. Never mind that I would have been in high school when I had her. Thayden has no idea how old I am.