I hate the shape of a circle.
Because that’s what is happening in my life right now.
Hayes closesthe back door of the dark, expensive car, only for me to rush and open it.
“Oh no, you don’t,” I say and slide into the back with him, slamming the door behind me.
He scoots to the next seat, eyes squinting in surprise as I hijack his ride. I didn’t want to wait, and his schedule made this my only chance to see him today.
“What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.” I’m back to my hard-as-nails tone because I have no fuzzy feelings right now.
“Sir, this is a loading zone only. We have to move,” the driver in the front calls out.
With my eyes arrowing straight into Hayes’s, he doesn’t give the man a glimpse because Hayes grasps my adamancy. “It’s fine. Circle the block or something.”
As the car begins to move, my nostrils flare. I want to be angry, but the feeling won’t come. Why can’t I just let myself be furious? I grip the seat, waiting for the anger, but it just fizzles. Probably because I'm aware the calm-and-collected approach is best.
“Where’s Lola?”
“Savannah picked her up and is bringing her home. I asked your assistant where you’d be, and she mentioned you had business drinks to attend.”
His face remains stoic, as though he won’t falter from whatever I throw his way. “To what do I owe the pleasurethen?” Something sizzles behind that sentence, the lift of his mouth too devious.
“I still received the papers from your lawyer. And no, it isn’t just the correction of the birth certificate.”
He sighs and looks away. “It’s nothing big—just papers for Lola’s trust and a co-parenting outline. We don't need to sign now, just something to consider. The trust isn’t about custody. It ensures she can go to college and have financial stability. It’s fair.”
Crossing my arms, I debate with myself whether I’m satisfied with his answer. “Other than the birth certificate, can’t we just leave any documents out of the equation at this moment? Even if they are just to review? I thought we were on the same page about that.”
Hayes drags his hand across his jaw, and I notice the stubble after a long day of work. It’s sexy and tempting to touch. But I need to think straight right now.
Without warning, I slide across the back and straight into Hayes as the car takes a sharp corner. Neither one of us bothered with seatbelts because we were stuck in our standoff. I touch his arm to brace myself, and the combination of his smell and the firmness of his arm begins to play tricks on me, especially when we’re flush together, and he peers down at me. Our breaths meet in the small distance between us, it would only take a small tip of my chin for our mouths to meet.
A shot of electricity threatens me again, we can’t avoid it.
“I agree until I don’t,” he whispers.
I yank myself back. This man melts my guard, but I won’t forget why I need it. My composure wobbles, just for a second.
“Don’t threaten me, Hayes.”
He grabs my wrist and tugs, a reassuring smirk curling onhis mouth. "I’m not. We're going to have to learn to make concessions with each other. You got the documents because I asked my lawyerbeforewe spoke at lunch on Monday. I figured that it could still be good to read them. I hope we can work it out on our own, but if things go south, then yeah, I have rights too."
"That explanation didn't end so well.”
He flexes his jaw as he replays the words in his head. "I'm keeping my word on what we agreed. I'm sorry if it came across a little… brash,” he apologizes sincerely.
I study his face, searching for anything dishonest. “You mean it? No more lawyer games for now?” My hope is fragile, but I want to believe him.
His thumb circles along my wrist; it’s soothing and far too delicate and sensitive for my body. “Promise.”
"Good. I don't want us to yo-yo back and forth about everything. Nor do you want to wear down my patience. I'm also going to hold you accountable and call you out when you’re being an ass.” I raise my brows with my gentle warning.
The corner of his lips lift. “I'm getting that gist.”
Lifting my chin, I give him one last appraisal to confirm that I feel confident with his answer. “We were going smoothly again. From this moment forward, no more surprises to set us back,” I confirm.