Chapter Twenty-Eight
Taylor
I walked into the bakery, and as soon as I saw Madison’s face, my eyes welled up with tears. “What’s wrong?” she pulled me into her for a much-needed embrace.
There was so much; I didn’t know where to begin. “It’s been two days, and Elijah hasn’t called me,” I sniffled, wiping my tears as I pulled away. I felt silly for being so upset. I knew he was busy, and I knew he had a lot on his mind.
“Have you tried to call him?” Madison asked, guiding me to a private table in the back.
“He’s had a lot to think about, a big decision that’s weighing him down,” I admitted, finally breaking my silence about the secret.
Madison stared into my eyes with her curiosity bursting as she edged on her seat. “A big decision?” she questioned.
“If I tell you this, you have to promise to keep it between us,” I warned.
She nodded eagerly, ready for the juicy secret I’d been keeping from her. As I began the story, her mouth fell open, her eyes widened, and soft gasps escaped her lips. “Why didn’t she tell him?” she questioned about Kellie’s long silence.
“I don’t know, but he knows now. He went to see her Monday, and he sounded strange. I’m afraid he may be considering trying to make it work with her, for Bailey’s sake,” I admitted aloud for the first time. It was something that had swirled in my mind for days, torturing my soul and breaking my heart.
“Why would he do that?” Madison asked, her eyes narrowing in disagreement.
“His mother wasn’t there when he was young, and his father was a nightmare. Maybe he’s thinking a two-parent home is best,” I sighed.
Madison rolled her eyes. “They never dated though; it’s not like they even really know each other,” she explained.
I could see her point, but the one in my mind just made more sense. Why else would he be avoiding me for two days?
“Maybe it's best that you get out of this now, before all this drama evolves,” Madison suggested. “I mean, you did get into this knowing he would be leaving, right?”
“Yes,” I replied, but stopped myself from babbling about how things had changed. Ever since I found out about Bailey, all I could dream about was Elijah staying on the island, with me. I hadn’t thought about Kellie being an issue until he stopped calling, now that was all I could think about. Could I stay on this small island if they were a couple? Maybe the partnership wasn’t such a good idea after all. Maybe I was the one who would end up leaving.
Madison made me agree to call her if I heard from Elijah and keep her posted on what was happening in my life. I agreed and headed to work. At least I had Milton to look forward to. He always made me feel better.
My workload was light for a Wednesday, and it was leaving me too much time to think about Elijah, and the decision I feared he’d made.
By the time Milton arrived, it was close to the end of my day. I’d picked up my phone at least a dozen times to call Elijah, but stopped myself each time. If he wanted to talk to me, he’d call. I wasn’t going to push him, no matter how badly I needed to hear his voice.
Milton informed me he wouldn’t be there for our Friday meeting. He was leaving for the airport the next night, and would be gone for two weeks. I knew it was a great opportunity for him, and that it would help keep his spirits up to see his family, but I knew mine would plummet with him gone. He was my light, my inspiration, and in many ways, my salvation. Two weeks without Milton, especially if Elijah wasn’t around, was going to be tough.
“Have a great time,” I smiled, offering up as much cheerfulness as I could muster for the sweet old man.
He pulled me in for a hug before he left my office, nearly bringing me to tears. “I’ll miss you,” I admitted. His wrinkled hand lifted to my chin, pushing it upward as he smiled.
I started packing up my office as he left, and was ready to leave for the day myself. I locked my desk drawer, grabbed my briefcase, and headed to the door, stopped by Elijah standing in my doorway. “Hey there,” he smiled, his voice so sultry it melted my soul.
“Hey there,” I replied, standing so close to him I could feel his heart racing, or was that mine?
“I’m sorry I haven’t called. A lot has happened,” he explained.
I imagined Kellie wrapped in Elijah’s arms, their lips pressing into one another’s as they agreed to become the perfect little family. Fuck.
“Can we talk?” he asked, sending my heart into overdrive.
“Sure,” I agreed, backing away from him, and allowing him to step into my office. I took a deep breath, realizing this was probably my sweet goodbye from the man I’d grown to love. I walked over to my desk, took my seat, and watched Elijah as he fidgeted in the chair across from me. Yeah, here we go.
“I know it isn’t fair to you,” he started, giving my heart a swift punch. “I haven’t meant to be distant. I wanted to talk to you last night, but Clinton cornered me, making me have dinner with him, and then dumping a load in my lap about dad,” he added.
I didn’t speak, but kept silent and listened as he talked. My heart strings tugged hard as he told me about his night, about how Clinton had recorded his father’s message. I wanted to leap across the desk and hold him, comfort him, and tell him I loved him, but I knew there was still another topic to discuss. “So, you can let go of that fear of becoming your father,” I smiled.
He nodded. His eyes were penetrating into mine so deep that they reached my soul. I exhaled hard, begging for relief from the pain he inflicted on my heart, but finding none.
“I think I’ve made my decision about Bailey. I want to be a part of her life, to stay and be a father to her, the best father I can be,” he declared.
There it was… his decision. I was heartbroken but strangely happy that he’d made the right decision. “I think that is the best, for everyone involved,” I agreed, swallowing my pain and putting on my warmest smile.
Elijah stood, done with his announcement, and didn’t offer anything more other than a quick ‘thanks’ for my support.
I fell into his open arms, melting against his hard chest as I listened to his heartbeat. It was calm, steady, and didn’t show any signs of anxiety. Mine pounded hard against my chest, and I was certain he could feel its anxiety, even though he didn’t acknowledge it.
I watched him walk out of my office, and out of my life. My only decision now was to decide if I could bear to stay here and not be with him.