Anna sat next to Toby, watching the door, willing Phillip to walk through it. Toby hated leaving Matt and Ethan, but at least if he had a relationship with his father, their separation would serve some purpose. When she found out Phillip had canceled on Toby—again—she’d tried every threat she could think of to get him to attend the lunch, but the sad truth was that Phillip held all the chess pieces, and she and Toby were his pawns.
Toby gave her a mournful look as he picked at the food on his tray. “He’s not coming.”
She wasn’t sure whether to suggest he might show or accept his absence and destroy her son even more.
Goddamn Phillip Robins.
But her mind quickly turned to her conversation with Matt the day before. She’d tried calling him multiple times last night, and when she’d finally gotten ahold of him this morning, he’d sounded rushed and hung up saying he’d call her back soon. He still hadn’t called.
They knew this wouldn’t be easy, but maybe he was already tired of waiting for her…and the waiting had just begun. What would she do if he changed his mind about their marriage?
No, Matt loved her. He wouldn’t change his mind. The devotion on his face every time they talked only proved she had nothing to worry about, and dodging her calls was so unlike him. But she wanted to share her good news: the couple had loved her condo and made an offer. When Matt and Ethan came in a month, they could help Anna and Toby pick out a new place. Maybe in Manchester since she’d gotten an e-mail this morning requesting an interview.
Out of reflex, she shot a glance to the door of the cafeteria, then nearly fell over.
Phillip was walking through the door…and Matt was marching behind him.
Matt? What in God’s name was Matt doing here? Neither man looked happy, but rage covered Phillip’s face while Matt’s jaw was clenched with determination.
The two men stopped to scan the room. Matt’s gaze landed on Anna and his expression softened when he saw her.
“Toby,” she said as she pointed in their direction. “Look.”
“Matt!” the boy shouted, jumping out of his seat and sprinting toward them.
Anna followed and gave a stern look to a teacher who said, “Slow down, Mr. Robins.”
There was no slowing Toby down. He bolted for Matt, throwing himself with so much force, Matt stumbled and nearly fell before he dropped to a squat.
Toby threw his arms around Matt’s neck, breaking out into a sob. “You came, I knew you’d come.”
Matt pulled back, and looked confused. “I brought your dad, Toby. Just like you wanted.”
Anna stared at the two of them in disbelief, then turned to Phillip, dying to know how the two men ended up walking in together.
Phillip looked pissed. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Not yet,” Matt said in a gruff tone. He got to his feet, picking Toby up with him. “You have a few things to say first.”
“Toby,” Phillip said with an expression that suggested he was constipated. “I’m sorry for being…” He glanced at Matt.
Matt’s eyes narrowed.
“I’m sorry for being a sorry excuse for a father.”
Anna nearly fell over, sure she was hallucinating.
“Go on,” Matt grunted.
Phillip cleared his throat. “And I’m sorry for putting my needs above your own. From now on, I will be the father you need me to be, no questions asked, which includes…” He looked like he wanted to strangle Matt, but continued. “Which includes letting you live in the States if that’s where your mother wants to live.”
“What?” Anna gasped. “What?”
“Go on,” Matt said, letting Toby slide to the floor, but holding on to his hand.
“Anna.” Phillip glanced away then back to her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t…”
“Say it,” Matt forced out through gritted teeth.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t man enough to be there for you.”
Anna’s eyes flew open. There wasn’t one ounce of sincerity in Phillip’s words, but she couldn’t deny there was still some justice in hearing him say them. It was obvious that Matt had coached Phillip in what to say, but what on earth had he held over Phillip’s head?
“You’re not done,” Matt said.
Phillip swallowed, looking like he wanted to throw up. “I’m sorry I let you down and made your life hell. I’m sorry I played…that I toyed with our son’s emotions. I’ll…” He shot a look of pure hate at Matt.
Matt never blinked.
“I’ll sign the paper letting you go to the States.” He turned to Matt. “Am I done?”
“You need to ask your son if he wants you here. If he does, you stay. If he doesn’t, you’re free to go to your attorney’s office and sign that paper. I expect to see it by five p.m. I would hate for there to be any misunderstanding here, so have I made myself clear?”
“Crystal,” Phillip spit out.
“Toby?” Matt asked as he bent over to look the boy in the eye. “Do you want your dad here?”
“Yes.”
Matt stood and nodded to Phillip. “You heard your son. Get your ass to your seat.”
Toby moved in front of Phillip. “No. Not you.” He pointed to Matt. “I want you. My real dad.”
Tears filled Matt’s eyes. “Robins, you are free to go.”
Phillip didn’t waste any time fleeing, but Anna was frozen in place.
She shook her head, unsure where to start. “How?”
“I flew,” Matt said with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Why?”
“Because Toby needed me, and I told him I would come when he needed me, no matter what.” He looked down at the boy. “Didn’t I?”
“Toby, you asked him to come?” Anna asked in horror.
“No,” Matt said, placing his hand on the boy’s head. “But I knew he needed me.”
Toby wrapped his arms around Matt’s leg and squeezed.
Matt swallowed and forced a grin. “Toby wanted his father here so I was determined to give my boy what he wanted. Mom is staying with Ethan and your dad so I could come.”
“But Phillip…”
“I thought he meant Phillip, so I went to his office to escort him here…as to the rest, let’s just say there was a lot of divine intervention in play, which I will fill you in on later when no children are around.”
Anna stared at him in disbelief. “I have never loved you more than I do right now.”
“Good,” he said with a nod then a grin spread across his face. “Because I’ve come to take you two home.”
“Home?” she whispered.
“Home. Not your condo, although I’ll stay here to get you packed up and organized, but then I’m taking my family home.”