Page 98 of Discretion

She smirked, taking my tie in hand. I peered down at her, watching as she retied it.

“Why didn’t you tell me about Craig?” I asked, finally circling back to that, even though I didn’t want to. But I needed to know.

Halle sighed, her attention focused on my tie. “Because I didn’t think he was going to actually follow through on it. It wouldn’t be the first time Craig said he was doing something and then his plans changed.”

I gnashed my teeth, my emotions shifting with this new revelation. I hated that Kai or Halle had ever been disappointed by a man who was supposed to protect them, love them. Not hurt them. I vowed that I would never give them cause to feel as if I’d let them down. And what Halle needed from me wasn’t judgment or accusations but support.

“How do you feel about it?” I asked, placing my hand on her hip.

Her shoulders relaxed. “Surprised. Maybe a little disbelief. I still won’t believe it till I see it.”

“Do you think he’s trying to win you back?”

She barked out a laugh. “He already tried once and failed.” I wasn’t sure if that made me feel better or worse. Maybe a little of both. Perhaps sensing my mood, she placed her hand over mine. “There’s nothing between Craig and me. Notanymore. There hasn’t been for a long time. But Craig is Kai’s dad. He’s going to continue to be a part of my life.”

“I get that,” I said. “And I respect it. Kai deserves all the love in the world.”

“Thank you,” Halle said. “I don’t expect you to be friends with Craig, but it would be nice if we could all get along.”

Everything would be fine as long as Craig didn’t act like a dick.

“Does that mean you’re going to tell him about us?” I asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.

“When the time’s right.”

I wanted to ask if she had any ideas on when that might be, but I didn’t. Instead, I pulled her in for a hug, holding her close. I knew we needed to return to our workday, but I wasn’t quite ready to let her go. And if I had my way, I’d never would.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Weeks had passed in the blink of an eye. I was settling into my new life in LA. I’d gone to lunch with Alexis and her friends a few times, and I loved getting to know her better, as well as Juliana and Lauren. I had yet to meet Harper, but that was only because she lived in a small town up north with her son and husband, a retired pro soccer player.

I was also busy. I was juggling calls with my parents and the nursing staff at my dad’s facility, taking care of Kai, serving as the temporary SVP. And then there was my secret relationship with Jasper. But I seemed to thrive in the chaos, even if I often felt I was on the verge of losing control.

And as much as I wanted to believe I had it together, the fact that I hadn’t talked to Zara, apart from texts here and there, was like a check engine light. Reminding me to nourish my own needs. We texted almost daily, but it wasn’t the same as a phone conversation.

“Hey,” I said, accepting Zara’s request to video chat.

It was early, and I was sitting at the counter drinkingcoffee while reading through some emails. Kai was still asleep, and I was about to get ready for the day.

“Oh my god. Halle.” Zara leaned in, squinting at the screen. “Is it really you?”

“Ha-ha.” I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling. “Yes, it’s me.”

“I was beginning to think I’d have to fly to LA if I ever wanted to talk to you again.”

“I mean…you’re more than welcome to visit anytime. I think you’d love it here. And I know you’d hit it off with Alexis, Lauren, and Juliana.”

“I’m glad you’ve made some friends there. And thanks, babes. Be careful, I might take you up on that offer.”

“I’d love that. Kai would too.” Zara was like a sister to me and an aunt to Kai. It felt strange to be so far away from her.

“I miss my sweet boy. How is he? How’s everything going?”

“Good,” I said. “Craig is still planning to move to LA.”

“Think he will actually follow through?”

“I think so.” Sometimes I still couldn’t believe it myself, but he really seemed to have turned over a new leaf this time. “Ever since his visit, he’s been consistent in his efforts to connect with Kai. They’ll build the same Lego kit together over video chats. Sometimes they play video games together.” It was nice to see Craig making more of an effort. And Kai definitely seemed happier from his dad’s attention.