She tucks the penguin under her chin. “Because I bugged you to let me sleep over at Aunt Harper and Uncle Finn’s house and you had to pick me up.”
“I’m not mad.” I brush her hair away from her face.
“Can I do it again another night?” Her voice slurs with fatigue.
I kiss her forehead. “Sure.”
Lily smiles. “I love Avery. Can I have a baby sister or brother?”
Her words hit me hard in the chest. I can give her almost everything she could ever need. A baby sister or brother isn’t an option.
Chapter Three
ALYSSA
The next morning, I drag myself out of bed. My ankle is still throbbing, and I can’t put my full weight on it. Carefully, I hobble into the kitchenette. My body’s aching like it’s been hit by a truck.
I turn on the coffee machine and sit on a stool as I wait for the brew to percolate. I need an extra-large, extra-strong cup. I hadn’t had more than two hours of sleep. After Hayden left, I’d cleaned and bandaged the wound on my knee and went to bed. I’d tossed and turned for the rest of the night, worried about what happened.
Why had Hayden left so suddenly? The phone call must have been something serious. It would explain why he didn’t say goodbye. Was it something to do with his daughter? I’d wanted to call Harper to find out if she knew anything, but I didn’t want to disturb her in case she was asleep or busy with the baby.
When my coffee is ready, I pour it into a mug and carry it to the sofa. I prop my leg on a pillow on the coffee table.
Maybe I should call Harper to see if everything is okay. But then I’ll have to explain how I know he’d gotten a call in the middle of the night. So what? We’re both adults. We can see or do what we want with who we want. So, why do I feel I need to keep this to myself? Is it because it’s her brother-in-law and I don’t want her to make a big deal about it? If something is wrong, I’m sure Harper will tell me.
With my decision not to call Harper settled, I drink my coffee and let the hot brew do its magic. When I feel ready to interact with people, I pick up my phone and call my agent to tell him I’ll be out of action for at least two weeks. I had hoped that this injury was just a little twinge that would feel better after a few hours and an icepack. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. I can feel some damage, and I need to rest it. Like I expected, my agent isn’t happy I’m missing an audition and tries convincing me to strap my ankle and see how it goes. But I’m not risking causing more damage.
After ending the call, I toss the phone on the sofa. Have I ruined a good chance of finally making it on Broadway? I sigh. Oh well, there isn’t anything I can do about it now. Even if I strap my ankle and take pain killers, I can’t dance in this condition. Hopefully, my ankle will heal soon and there’ll be another opportunity. I also have to remember to call the club once they open today to tell them I won’t be able to dance for a couple of weeks.
All that’s left for me to do is relax. When was the last time I sat home all day with nothing to do? If I’m not at auditions, I’m at the dance studio training to keep up my fitness and skills or working at The Temple. It looks like a day of binge-watching shows on Netflix. Reaching for the remote control on the arm of the sofa, I accidentally bump it onto the floor.
“Damn it.” I shuffle to the edge of the sofa to pick it up.
From underneath the sofa something gold catches my eye. Getting to my knees, I pull out a Rolex watch. Wow! This is an expensive piece of jewelry that definitely doesn’t belong to me. The only person it could belong to is Hayden. Flipping it over in my hand, I check the clasp. It’s loose and doesn’t lock into place properly. That would explain why it had fallen off his wrist.
I have to give it back to him. But how? I don’t know his phone number or where he lives. I could call his office to tell him I have it and also find out if he’s okay with whatever emergency had him running out of the apartment last night.
Reaching for my phone, I google the number for Alessi Fashion. When the receptionist answers, I ask to speak with Hayden but am told he isn’t in the office at the moment.
If my ankle wasn’t such a mess, I’d go to Alessi’s and drop it off, but it’s too big of an effort. When he realizes it’s missing, maybe he’ll figure out it could be at my apartment and come back to get it.
I hate having such an expensive piece of jewelry in my possession and don’t want it here any longer than necessary. I need to contact Harper and get her to pass on a message to Hayden. If she’s curious why he was here…well, I’ll just tell her the truth. No big deal.
I call Harper.
“Hey, Alyssa,” she answers on a yawn.
“Oh, sorry. Were you sleeping?”
“Sleep? What is sleep?” I hear Harper yawn again. “What’s up?”
“If this is a bad time, I can call back later.”
“With a baby, there’s never a good time. You have my attention for approximately five minutes, I need to nurse Avery soon, so speak.”
“Okay, okay. I need a favor.”
“Sure, what is it?” she asks.