I quickly agreed. Daniel visibly relaxed. My
mother smiled. “Only Daniel still treats you like a child.”
I disagreed. Daniel was the child when he was with me. I missed the little boy who used to
follow me around everywhere.
Work kept me busy, but I hadn’t felt this fulfilled in years. It was like leveling up in a video game, each challenge energizing me. One night, I worked late. The lights were on
<
when I got home; Daniel was waiting up for me.
I was used to waiting for Mark. This was the
first time someone had waited for me, a warm
meal ready. I smiled, a genuine, happy smile.
I found Daniel asleep on the chaise lounge. I
tiptoed over with a blanket. As I got closer, I
paused. The lounge was spacious, plenty of
room for me to stretch out. But Daniel, with his
long legs dangling off the end, looked like he
was trying to fit into a child’s chair.
He’d grown. I hadn’t really thought about it
before. He was… well–built.
My eyes drifted to his chest. Such nice skin, I
thought, probably soft to the touch. His robe
had fallen open, revealing… more. He works
out, I realized, my cheeks flushing. He looks…
delicious. My thoughts strayed to dangerous
territory. I shook my head, trying to dispel the
images. I must be tired.
As I bent down to cover him with the blanket,
our eyes met. Startled, I lost my balance and tumbled onto him, my face landing squarely in his chest. Mortified, I tried to scramble off, but
<
the rocking of the chaise lounge made it
impossible. Every attempt just landed me back
in the same compromising position.
“Nicky, what are you doing?” he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.
I held the blanket up to my face, hiding my
burning cheeks. “I… I was just trying to cover you with a blanket.”
He chuckled, a deep rumble in his chest. I suddenly became aware that I was still
straddling him. I threw the blanket over his head and fled to my room, my heart pounding.
Over the next few days, I got a better handle on the business. I felt lighter, humming as I walked. In the parking garage, I spotted Mark’s car. Ugh, I thought, calculating how many more days until the divorce was final.
Alex was waiting by the elevator. “Dad sent
me,” he said, still sulking. He wanted me to
know he wasn’t softening. “He told me to apologize.” He looked away. “I’m sorry. Calling Sarah ‘Mom‘ was just a prank. I didn’t know you’d actually lose your memory.”
99 1
66123-
<
“It’s okay,” I said softly.
He looked at me, his eyes widening slightly.
“Your father and I are divorced, Alex. You don’t
need to apologize for calling anyone ‘Mom.‘
Sarah will be your new mom soon. She’s a
lovely woman, and you clearly adore her. You’ll
be happy.
He followed me to my door, lingering. “Is there anything else?” I asked. “If not, I’m going
inside.”
Alex stared at me, incredulous. “I apologized! Aren’t you going to forgive me? You’ll be sorry!”
He’d never been treated with such coldness, such finality. He burst into tears. “You’re so mean! When you get your memory back, don’t come crawling back to me! Even if you beg, I won’t forgive you!”
The first time he’d said those words, I’d cried in
my room, questioning my parenting skills,
wondering if I was even worthy of being a
mother. Now, I felt nothing. The bond between
us had broken the day he called another woman
CER A
<
I often suspected Daniel of subtly seducing me.
though I couldn’t quite prove it. Like now, as he made coffee, dressed in a casual T–shirt and
sweatpants, looking like a college student. Which, technically, he was, having just graduated. So youthful, I thought, lounging on the sofa, that waist, those hips… I quickly
averted my gaze and picked up a magazine as he approached with my coffee.
He sat down, and Marshmallow jumped onto his lap. My eyes were drawn to the sight of her
kneading his gray sweatpants. Wait… gray sweatpants? My gaze lingered.
“So big,” I murmured, without thinking.
Daniel leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “Nicky, what are you looking at?”
My skin tingled. “I… I meant the cat. She’s gotten bigger.” I fled to my room, my face on fire.
I texted my best friend. Since Daniel moved in, I
feel like he’s constantly seducing me. Maybe I need to get laid?
My phone rang immediately. “Girl, are you
- 11.
く
finally seeing the light? That gorgeous man has
been in love with you for years, and you’re just
noticing?”
My heart fluttered. “He… he loves me? I
thought he just saw me as a sister…” A strange
warmth spread through me.
“Duh! It’s so obvious. He acts like a little bunny rabbit around you, but he’s a total alpha male everywhere else. So, now that you’re divorced… are you considering Daniel? He’s way better than that loser ex of yours.”
“I’m confused. Work is crazy right now. I don’t want to think about anything else.”
I hung up, flustered. Another call came in. It was Mark.
“Nicole, Alex has a fever. He’s asking for you. Could you come home and see him?” His voice held a note of pleading.
I stepped onto the balcony, letting the cool air calm me. “Mark,” I said quietly, “I’ve made similar calls to you.”
When Alex was a baby, every fever sent me into
a panic. Even with the pediatrician on speed
<
2:53
82
dial, I’d still call Mark, desperate for him to
come home. His response echoed in my
memory. “You can’t even take care of yourself,
let alone Alex.‘
“Nicole… I…”
99
“You were right. Now, I’m just focusing on
taking care of myself.”
“Nicole, have… have you regained your
memory?” His voice was small, hesitant.
“I never lost it. I’ll see you at the courthouse in
a month. Don’t expect me to come crawling
back.” My voice was firm. “We’re done.”
I heard the sound of shattering glass. I hung up,
blocking his number. I’d deal with him next
month.
I saw Mark frequently after that. He’d sit in his
car, watching me, but he kept his distance.
Perhaps it was a bruised ego, the male
obsession with what they can’t have. I treated
him like a stranger.
One Sunday, I opened my door to find Alex,
clutching a photo album. He barged in and sat
on the sofa, completely forgetting his earlier
