“Oh.” I swallow the dry lump that’s lodged itself in my throat. “That’s… good.”
If Reed is throwing himself into work, then he’s either coping better than me, seeing as I can’t concentrate on anything right now, or he’s not as affected as I thought he was.
“I’m not sure it is. He’s going to burn out before he moves to Gracie Mansion at this rate. I’ve known him a while. This is a new level of obsession, even for him.”
Stuart sounds worried and that worries me. Stuart’s feathers never get ruffled. He’s smoothed over major scandals for political clients he’s worked with in the past. And he does it without ever breaking a sweat. Reed always said he’s excellent at his job, always calm, level-headed, knowing what to do in any scenario.
“I don’t know what to say.”
My thoughts immediately picture Reed cracking his knuckles too harshly, the way he does when he’s stressed or anxious. I first noticed it when Maria and Griffin broke up for a while. It was ages ago now, but we all cared so much for them both, and to see them hurting was hard for all their friends. I would see him do it whenever he visited Griffin at work. His lips would be in a grim line as he sat and cracked them one by one. The sound made me shiver, like nails on a chalkboard. I didn’t notice him doing it when I lived with him. Not to that sound level and intensity, anyway.
“Look. I don’t know what’s happened between you both. And it’s none of my business. But if it’s Bea making trouble, then I—”
“Wait? Bea? Why are you bringing her up?” I sit up straight again.
“She came here the day before the press ran their story about you moving out. And then she was back yesterday. With a gift basket.”
“A gift basket?” I screw my nose up. That’s so weird.
“Yeah. Odd, right? She said it was from her and Graham as a congratulations on winning the mayor role. But Graham wasn’t with her either time. A guy wouldn’t send another guy a basket of fruit and shit, anyway. It was obviously only from her. I doubt Graham even knew she had brought it.”
“Why would she do that?” I scramble through my thoughts to think of any reason Bea might start being nice when she has all the empathy of a praying mantis that rips its old mate’s head off and then eats him.
“I don’t know. But Reed was in a foul mood afterward. Look, Harley. I’m not telling you this to suggest there’s anything to worry about. I can easily tell you that Reed would never go back there. I wasn’t even going to mention it. I just called to see how you are. Paige was asking after you.”
“She was?” Warmth flickers in my chest as I picture her adorable little face and the way she calls Reed, ‘Weed’.
“Well, you can tell her that I’m fine next time you speak to her. And you can tell her that I have some cute bunny videos to show her when we next…” My heart sinks. There will be no reason or circumstance where I will spend time with Paige again. Not now that Reed and I aren’t together.
“Actually. I’m looking after her just while her mom goes to an appointment tomorrow. Why don’t you meet us on your lunch break? We can walk in the park?” Stuart says.
“Are you sure?” I ask, but my lips are already stretching into the first smile I’ve had in days. There’s no room for heartbroken moping with a cute as a button five-year-old who shares my love of animals and funny videos. “I would love that.”
“All right, then. See you tomorrow at twelve-thirty.”
I end the call, feeling more positive than I have all day. This is how I will have to do things. One day at a time. Something nice to look forward to that keeps me moving forward.
I drain the remnants of wine from my glass and put it on the floor next to my discarded slippers. I’m staring at them when my phone rings again.
“Hello?”
“Harls.”
The deep voice on the other end has my stomach leaping into my throat. It’s been two days. Two days of not hearing from him. I purposefully didn’t give him my new number so that he wouldn’t call me. Although, I also asked him not to. So maybe he hasn’t even tried until now. Maybe this is the first time. But then how would he have gotten it? I’ve only just ended my call from Stuart. Could he have told him so quickly? Could he have—?
“I can hear your brain thinking from here,” Reed says, his voice warm and sprinkled with amusement.
“It’s… yes, it’s certainly thinking.” I whip my eyes around the room and then to the window. I get up and tiptoe over there, peeking through the drapes. I don’t know what I’m expecting to see. Reed on the doorstep? But he’s not. The street outside is empty except for one woman walking past carrying grocery bags.
“I forced Griffin to give me your new number when I saw your old phone in his office. Maria’s already threatened to have his balls for letting me have it, so go easy on him.” I can hear the smile in Reed’s voice before he exhales heavily. “God, I miss you.”
“Reed, we—”
“It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. I just… I just really fucking miss you, Harls.”
There’s a cracking down the phone and I drop my head forward into my hand to rub at my temples, attempting to ease the pounding that’s building there.
“Are you cracking your knuckles?”