AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m short with Addison, and she tears up, her pink cheeks turning a bright red. She puts her head down and picks at her salad. I can't stand to see her sad.
"It's been just you and me for awhile now, pumpkin. I don't see any reason to change that," I say gently.
Her eyes meet mine and she doesn't smile, but I see her tears have stopped. I try a distraction.
“What else happened today?” I probe, pushing my sadness away and replacing it with a cheery voice.
That’s all it takes. Addison perks up and starts talking animatedly about an upcoming birthday party she wants to attend. All her friends will be there. She tells me about the karaoke theme and asks if she can buy a new outfit.
“I think we can make that happen.” I smile.
Then she asks about my day.
“It has been full, as usual. Fully optimized,” I correct myself and smile. “I hired an assistant which will give me more time with you.”
I poke her button nose, and she giggles.
“When do I get my birthday present? You promised me a movie and dinner, remember?”
“I do. How about tonight?”
She squeals with delight and starts talking about the movieAvatar. All her friends went to see it in 3D, and she can’t wait to experience for herself what the hype is all about.
I breathe out, relieved.
A possible breakdown is averted, though I know I’m not off the hook. There will be more questions about her mom, and I’ll have to give her something. She is growing up without a female role model in her life. There will be things I will struggle to answer or help her with, especially as she begins navigating puberty.
Maybe I should settle down at some point and give Addison a stepmom.
I will that thought away. If I could chase it out of the state or country, I would. I won’t go through that again, and I won’t put Addison through it, either.
The women in my life are not stepmom material. They are a distraction, and that is how I like it.
I’m safe and in control.
Impervious.
We walk to the car, and Tony opens the door for us. He eases back into traffic and heads back to Town.
Before Addison can jump out at the curb, I give her a big squeeze.
“See you tonight.”
“I can’t wait,” Addison squeaks and runs to join her friends. I see her talking animatedly, and then I hear shrieks of excitement. She must have shared what movie we will be going to see tonight. I shake my head, smiling. She is almost a teenager. The very idea makes my heart skip a beat, and I rub my chest.
Let’s take it one day at a time, shall we?
“I’m headed to a meeting at this address.”
My attorney’s office is all the way back downtown. I've spent countless nights wrestling with the dilemma of how to move forward with my firm. Today, I am taking the first step, seeking someone that will show me what options I have.
The driver takes the slip of paper I give him and punches the address into the GPS. We pull away from the curb, and I take another look in Addison’s direction before we drive out of sight, the ringing of my phone breaking me out of my reverie.
“This is Brando,” I answer curtly. A sexy voice on the other end of the line makes me think of Ana.
“What are you wearing right now?” Veronica, my occasional lover’s voice is low and seductive.
I smile at the playful question. “I’m wearing a suit and tie.”
