Maggie says goodbye to Belle and Madden then follows me out of the room, linking her arm through mine as we descend the hall. It’s an odd gesture, but her Southern charm is … well, charming.
“I swear, I never thought I’d see the day when that man would forget to eat.” She tsks on a laugh, and I listen, soaking up anything I can learn about Madden. “He’s overworked and running himself ragged—being a single daddy ain’t easy. I will say, you’re shaping him up nicely.”
I could press for more details, but I don’t want to overstep my bounds. “Thank you for the compliment, but he’s done all the hard work. I’m impressed with his willpower and dedication.”
“Well, keep pushing him. I think you’re good for him.” She winks and pats my hand with a knowing smile. “I’m sure we’ll see more of each other soon.”
Maggie leaves the gym, and I head back toward my office, but come up short when I hear Belle, “Hers not good, Daddy! She weft me, and nows I have to listen to all those girly girls talk about this stupid tea party wif their moms and then they laugh at me ‘cause I ain’t got one.”
The corner of my lip trembles as I fight back the tears that are now blinding my vision. I lean closer to the door, trying to make out what Madden is saying to console her.
“Shhhh… Who’s your favorite superhero?” Madden’s voice is soft but encouraging.
“D-daddy…”
“And Daddy will always save the day, won’t I?”
There’s a silence between the two, save for the few sniffles I imagine Madden is drying from Belle’s face.
“Your momma loves you, Belly. I know it’s hard for you to understand right now because you’re so little, but your momma isn’t here because she loves you so much. She left to protect you, sweetheart. I promise you, Daddy will love you enough to fill that void and help you to forget.”
Madden’s voice breaks, and I suck back the sob that’s constricting my throat. Her momma l-left her? How? Why? Why would a mother leave her child?
The door to the yoga studio eases open and Madden peeks his head around the corner of the wall, his face red. He looks beat down. Not with exhaustion from work, or his training today, but with life in general. “Eavesdropping again, Jo?” He tries to make light of the situation, but I hurriedly dry my tears.
“Sorry … again. I swear I’m not nosey.” I scrunch my face up, then choke on that lie. “Okay, so that’s not true. But in all honesty, Belle sounded upset, and it—”
Madden wraps his strong hand around my neck and pulls me close to his chest. He presses his forehead against mine and breathes me in before kissing my forehead. This is the second time today he’s displayed affection, though this is far more soft and delicate than the kiss he laid on me earlier. “You’re a good woman, Jo.” And as simple as that, Madden releases me and opens the door, motioning for Belle to follow him.
Stunned beyond recognition, I stare up at this strong man in awe. “Bye, JoJo.” Belle waves, her face tear-stained, as she and Madden head toward the lobby.
“What just happened there?” Bryn asks, startling me.
“Wh—”
She tips my chin upward, closing my mouth. “Gonna catch flies, girl.” She winks then squints her eyes as she studies me. “Jo, everything okay? Have you been crying?” she whispers, because Madden isn’t but eight feet away. I shake my head and head toward the lobby.
“I’m fine, Bryn. Need to freshen up a bit.”
“Oh, honey, there’s no time for that.”
My brain drowns out Bryn’s voice and hones in on Gia’s. She sounds like she’s been sucking on lemons all afternoon, and if I didn’t know her, I’d bet she was with that scouring, puckered face. But nope, that’s just her looks. She grates on my nerves to the infinite level, and the fact that she’s talking to Belle irks me.
A hand waves in front of my face, blocking my view from the scene in front of me. “Jooooo. Are you listening? Nash and the guys will be here any minute!”
I glare at Bryn in confusion. “What?” Looking down at my watch, I think back to my schedule for the day and try to remember his appointment time. “No, Bryn, their training isn’t until five.”
Bryn ticks the face of my watch then taps my nose. “Uh-huh…” Her head moves up and down, a sarcastic smile stretched across her face. But I don’t follow. I can’t focus because I’m so concerned about what Gia is saying to Belle, and I could hear better if Bryn wasn’t distracting me.
Bryn snaps her fingers in front of my face then comes nose to nose with me. “Hey. You got it bad, girl, but now’s not the time. Look at your watch very carefully.” She pulls my wrist up in front of my face, tapping the side of the watch again. Her instructor side is coming out, and I wonder if I’m this annoying to my clients.
“FOCUS.” She taps the watch again.
“Fu—”
Bryn caps her hand over my mouth, nodding. I’m gonna be late. Really fuckin’ late. Shit! The front door opens, and I swear the golden rays of the Savannah sun is eclipsed by the broad shoulders of Nash Walters. His eyes lock on mine, and the most beautiful pearly white smile spreads across his face, a devious yet flirty smirk tipping the right corner of his thick, full lips. Four men, as large and imposing, flank him, two on each side, and hand to God, Bryn fuckin’ mewls like a cat in heat at the sight. Not of Nash—he’s her first cousin, so ewwww.
“Well, hot damn if you don't get prettier every time I see your little pixie ass, Jo.” Nash’s strong arms are around me before I can protest, twirling me around the lobby, no doubt putting on a show for the four teammates he brought with him.