Underestimated Too(68)

“You did?”

“Yes, love. I did. I didn’t know how else to show you then.”

My lips curved up in a heartfelt smile. I felt loved. That was one of the good nights with Drew. He used his fingers with his head on his pillow too weak to lift it, and then held me close to his fevered chest as he slept, sick as a dog. Maybe I was falling for him back then too. Nah, not really. I still hated him most the time.

***

“We’re okay, right?” Drew asked, holding me tight. He didn’t want to leave after our session. I’m not sure if he was feeling insecure or he was afraid I was. I was feeling insecure. I hated Thursdays as much as I loved them.

“Yes. We’re fine. Get out of here before I don’t let you go.”

“Do you want me to stay? I can send Celeste and do a video conference,” Drew offered. As good as that sounded, I wasn’t going to let him do that.

Standing on the tips of my toes, I kissed him. “Get out of here before I take you up on that. I love you. Call me later.”

“But it’s Nicky’s birthday. I should stay,” Drew replied, trying to talk himself out of going as much as he was fighting to make himself go.

“Nicky, doesn’t know that. He’s going to think his birthday is Saturday when we have his party and he sees those pictures of his daddy holding him while we sing happy birthday. Go get Celeste, and go to work.”

“I love you, Morgan. I love you more than anything on this earth and no matter what I say or do, nothing is going to change that. Please don’t give up on us.”

“Drew,” I said, pulling back, looking up to him, bewildered. “Are you afraid I’m going to leave you?” Okay, I knew he was feeling uncertain, but I didn’t realize the extent of his insecurity.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

“I’m not going anywhere—ever.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, now go to work,” I ordered, needing him to go before I begged him to stay.

“I’ll call you after the meeting,” Drew promised, kissed me on the head, and left.

I played with Nicky for a while and then laid him down for a nap. What was I supposed to do for two days? I should have told my mom to come a couple days early.

“What are you doing?” I asked, calling Alicia.

“Meeting Deidra for supper and a movie. Want to come?”

“I don’t think Drew will let me.”

“Oh, my god, Morgan. Stop letting that man run your life. You can have a girl’s night without asking Drew’s permission.”

“I’m not sure Marta will want to stay and keep Nicky.” I tried, I did need Drew’s permission. He would be irate if I went without asking him first.

“You’re so full of shit. Drew would never leave you if Marta wasn’t going to be there with you. Come on. Go with us. When was the last time you went to a movie?”

“I’ll call you back and let you know.”

“Okay, we’re leaving at six. Text me and let me know what the master says.”

“Yeah, yeah, see you later.”

Why the hell was I so nervous about calling Drew? Alicia was right. I didn’t need to ask. I’d just call him out of courtesy, let him know what I was doing so he didn’t worry. I was almost twenty-nine years old. I didn’t need to ask permission. Shoot. I couldn’t call him while they were in the air. Drew wouldn’t land until seven. I did want to go. Would he be mad? Of course he would.

Maybe it would be okay if they weren’t going downtown. Drew shouldn’t mind if we stayed on this side of town. It took me two hours to decide. I was going. There was no reason for me to stay home when Alicia asked me to go out with her and Deidra for dinner and a movie.

I was glad I went. Deidra was a lot of fun outside the office with an attitude that didn’t take any shit. We went to a little Italian restaurant on the side of town that Drew wouldn’t object to, well, I hoped anyway. I still hadn’t talked to him.

The waiter had just brought us another wine refill when my phone finally rang. My heart literally stopped, knowing it was Drew.

“Hi, made it okay?”

“Yeah, we’re here, but I can’t talk right now. We’re meeting the buyers for dinner. I just wanted to check in. I’ll call you when we leave.”

“Drew,” I said, stopping him before he hung up on me.

“What, Morgan. I’ve got to go.”

“I’m at dinner with Alicia and Deidra,” I spat out, wanting it over with so I could enjoy the rest of my evening. Drew didn’t speak. Silence lingered for at least twenty seconds.

“We’ll talk about it later. Go home after that.”