I’m in love with Hunter.
As soon as I arrive, I make my way inside and easily find the restaurant. It’s dark and romantic in the seating area, and then there’s a bar that wraps around. Before I left tonight, I noticed he was wearing nice clothes—black slacks, button-up, and he even trimmed his facial hair.
Shit. That sounds like a guy going on a date.
No. Push those thoughts out, Lennon.
Blinking, I look around and start wondering if he’s already left. That means he could really only be in two places.
At home.
In this woman’s hotel room.
My chest rises and falls as my breathing becomes erratic, and I know I’m being irrational. Hunter said this was a work thing, not a—
Scratch that. He’s at the bar. With a gorgeous woman.
She’s in a black slinky dress that fits her like a glove. Long dark brown hair, straight and down to her waist. Her legs are crossed and pointed toward Hunter who’s smiling and talking as she leans into him with her hand wrapped around his bicep. I notice the way his eyes light up at whatever they’re discussing, and there’s no way this is work related.
Oh my God.
I’m a fucking fool.
My stomach turns, and I walk away before I’m forced to watch them make out or something.
Idiot.
I want to hit myself in the head and knock some sense into my stupid brain for thinking he’d wait for me after all this time. Smack myself for ignoring my heart.
Maybe the hangover in the morning will torture me enough to block out this entire night.
As I wait for another Uber, I send a group text to my sisters.
Lennon: I was too late.
Sophie: What? Are you sure?
Maddie: No way! What happened?
Lennon: His “work thing” was a hot date. She’s all over him, and he didn’t look like he was hating it.
Sophie: Lennon, I’m so sorry. Come back to the bar so we can mend your wounds the right way.
Maddie: Yes! Please!
Lennon: I’d rather mend them with a bottle of wine and cry about my pathetic love life in bed.
Sophie: You really wanna be alone right now? Let us help you through this.
Maddie: I’ll even let you wear the Birthday Girl crown! C’mon!
I push back my tears and snort at Maddie’s last message.
Lennon: Okay. I want SHOTS, you hear? Lots and lots.
Anything to take this fucking pain away.
It’s after one when Sophie brings me home. She stopped drinking so she could take care of me. She’s such a great sister.
“Shh…the cops will call my neighbors,” I whisper-shout as I trip over my own feet.
“I think you mean the neighbors will call the cops.” Sophie chuckles. “And it’s you who’s being loud, not me.”
She gets my door unlocked, and I stumble my way inside behind her. “Pfft, Hunter isn’t home anyway. Shocker.” I groan loudly. “How many did you let me have?”
“Believe it or not, you only had three shots,” Sophie says, setting my keys and purse on the coffee table. “You’re just a lightweight who hasn’t drank in almost a year.”
“I’ll be fine after a cup of coffee,” I say, walking to the kitchen.
“No, ma’am. You need to go to bed.” She grabs my wrist and leads me to my room.
“Aww…I miss my baby,” I say as soon as I look at the empty crib. “Oh my God. I’m such a bad mom. How could I leave my baby? I didn’t even check on her. What’s wrong with me?”
Sophie carefully pushes me down on the bed, then kneels to take off my shoes.
“Mrs. Locke has it under control, Lennon. It’s good for Allie to get comfortable with her now since she’ll be staying with her when you go back to work. It’s just one night,” she reminds me.
“I miss her so much!” I half-sob. “Like, it literally hurts my heart by how much I miss her.”
“I know,” Sophie says with a grin. “Take off your clothes, and I’ll get you some water.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I mock, saluting her as she walks out of my bedroom. When she returns, I’m down to my undies and bra. She hands me a glass of water, and I take a long drink.
“I just texted Mrs. Locke, and she responded immediately.” Sophie hands me my cell.
“Oh my God, is everything okay?” I rush and check the messages.
“Everything is fine!” Sophie quickly says. “She was just feeding Allie and rocking her back to sleep. She said there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Oh,” I say with relief. “Good.”
“Yes, it is. Now…you need to get some sleep, okay?” She takes the glass and sets it on my nightstand.
“Can you get me a T-shirt?” I ask, pointing at the dresser that’s five feet away, knowing I probably couldn’t do it myself at this moment.
She hands me an old college tee, and I quickly put it on. “Ugh. This used to fit me like a glove before. Now I’m all baby fat.”