Page 17 of Better Daddy

With a nod, I say, “I’m sorry about this.”

He shakes his head. “Not a problem. Get cleaned up. When I get back, we can grab lunch and I’ll fill you in.”

I force a smile and watch as he strides into the elevator, headed out to do my job for me.

Dammit. I was really looking forward to arguing this case this morning. I spent all last night prepping.

This is all Sully’s fault. If I hadn’t been drinking his damn tea, this wouldn’t have happened. If I didn’t have to drive to Jersey so T.J. could see his dad, I wouldn’t have been in my own car to begin with. And if he hadn’t been such an ass for those last several years of marriage, I wouldn’t have been distracted by thoughts of what could have been.

I stalk past Julius, who gives me a once-over, a phone pressed to his ear, and shakes his head.

Yeah, I know I look ridiculous, but does he have to be so obvious about it?

The moment my office door slams shut behind me, I pull out my phone and call Sully. No one but him deserves to deal with this version of me.

“Is everything all right?”

Nohello,nohi, sweetheart; how are you?Nope, this man’s only concern is that the incubator is adequately taking care of his heir.

“Everything is not, in fact, all right,” I grit out.

Sully sighs. It’s loud and gruff and, ridiculously, makes mewant to cry.

He’s annoyed with me. I’m interrupting his day. It’s like déjà vu. I can’t count how many times I’ve found myself in this situation. Maybe I should hang up. If I never felt this way again, it’d be too soon. I don’t want to be a bother.

I just want someone to fucking care.

I swipe away a lone tear.

“What happened?”

Annoyance flares to life inside me, choking out the self-pity that’s been trickling through my veins. “What happened is I spilled the disgusting tea you bought all over me while driving to work. Now I don’t get to go to court, and it’s all your fault.”

“Are you okay? Did you burn yourself?” he asks, his tone slightly elevated.

Oh, now I have his attention.

“I’m fine, and don’t worry, the incubator protected your baby. The car bore the brunt of the spillage. I basically dumped it on the center console to keep from injuring myself or your progeny,” I grumble, wiggling my mouse to wake my computer.

He makes a choked sound. “Did you make sure the car wasn’t smoking?”

The frustration that’s become a constant when I see, hear, or even think about this man mixes with confusion. “Why would it be smoking? I’ve never smoked, and now you think I’d pick up the habit while I’m pregnant?” I may hate my soon-to-be ex-husband, but I love our child. I would never put him or her at risk.

“No, Sloane,” he says, his tone patient. “The car. Where did you spill the tea exactly?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Below the radio area, where I plug my phone in.” Sully’s responding sigh has me pushing back from my computer with a grunt. “The freaking car is not smoking.”

“Maybe not, but it’s worth checking. Otherwise, you’re liable to burn the entire building down.”

My vision goes red as I absentmindedly click on folders on my computer screen. I hate him. God, I freaking hate him. If he werehere, I’d run him over with my car. Back it right over his stupidly good-looking face. Then he wouldn’t sound so smug.

“Why don’t we go check, then?” I say in a high, placating voice.

Chin lifted, I disconnect the call. I’m too annoyed to listen to him any longer. Then, phone in hand, I stalk back out of my office, heading toward the elevator.

Julius pushes back from his desk and scurries after me. “Where are you going? Shouldn’t you be in court?”

“Should be, yeah,” I call over my shoulder without slowing.