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His forehead crinkled for a moment before smoothing. “I was gonna argue with you that we’ve had a lot of weeks I’ve considered the best, but you’re right. Every step I take toward you feels like I’m headed in the right direction, and the calm that came over me this week proved that. We’re doing the right thing.”
“It feels that way to me too.” I chewed on my bottom lip for a moment. “I haven’t trusted my instincts for some time. It’s been difficult for me to fully let go of my worry, but I think I’m almost there.”
He cupped my cheek and brushed my chewed-up lip with his thumb. “We’ll get you there.”
I leaned forward to graze my lips over his. “I don’t doubt that at all.”
Chapter Thirty-six
Clara
Thomas strolled into my office, his hands tucked in his pockets. I looked up from the budget I’d been reading over and raised a brow. The day was almost over, and I knew Thomas wanted to get out of here as much as I did, so I was surprised at the interruption.
Not surprised he waltzed right in, though.
“You don’t knock?”
He snorted. “When have I ever?”
“It’s never too late to start.”
“I’ll take it under consideration.” He perched on one of my chairs. “So, there’s a small child on the phone for you. She says you’re friends, which I find odd since I wasn’t aware you were making friends with children.”
I opened my mouth only to close it. If I were anyone else, Thomas would have been fired ages ago, but I’d always considered his irreverence a breath of fresh air in this buttoned-up corporate environment. Right about now, I was questioning my decisions.
“Did she tell you her name?”
He tapped his temple. “It was Mage. No, that’s a mystical occupation. Paige? No—wait, Sage! Her name is Sage. She sounds sassy.”
I groaned and reached for my phone. “That’s Jake’s daughter, you jackass.”
“Oh, right. She did mention that.”
I tossed a pen in his direction. “Go back to work.”
He stood and saluted me. “Aye, aye, captain.”
As soon as he left, I pressed the speaker button on my phone. “Sage?”
She sniffled. “Hi, Clara. I’m sorry for calling you at work. I don’t have your cell phone number or I would have texted. I’m really sorry.”
Her voice was wobbly and wet. Alarm bells sounded in my head.
“You don’t have to apologize for calling me, honey. And I’ll make sure to give you my cell number when I see you so you can get in touch with me whenever you need to.”
“Thank you.” She huffed a ragged breath. “Um, I would have called my mom, but she’s on a trip for work. I thought I was just having a bad stomachache, but then I went to the bathroom…and it’s not that. There’s blood, so I guess…I guess I’m having my period.”
I held my gasp in, but just barely. This was not what I’d been expecting to hear. Sage and I had certainly become friendly over the last couple weeks of getting to know one another, but this was a big leap.
“Are you at home?” I asked.
“Yes. My dad will be home soon, but I don’t want him to know. It’s just gross, and my stomach hurts really bad. I wish my mom was here. She’d know what to do. My friend said I should stick in a tampon, but I don’t have any idea how to do that. Do you think you could help me, Clara?” Her question was so small and unsure, it nearly broke my heart.
“Of course I can, but your dad can help too. I promise he won’t be grossed out.”
“Okay.” Her sob was muffled, but there was no mistaking it. “I’m sorry. I guess I should just wait for him.”
“No, Sage, honey, I’m coming. I have to grab Nellie from day care and stop to get you some supplies. Can you hang on for an hour?”
