Page 140 of Delicate Storm

“Thanks, but that’s okay. Keeley’s heading to the hospital when visiting hours begin, so if I go on my way home, at least she’ll have more company that way. And Keeley can take over from you later on today so you get some time to yourself.”

“I don’t need time. I can stay until you get home.”

“You’re not working at all?”

“Nope. My next modeling job isn’t for a few weeks, and I’m not needed for the charity event this week.”

“Okay. But honestly, you don’t have to.”

“What? Really? I thought you had a gun to my head.”

“Okay. Okay. I’m being a D. I. C. K,” I say as I hear movement from Isaac’s room. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now where’s my little buddy?” Paige raises her voice and Isaac hears her, calling her name as he runs down the hall, the nice moment breaking my heart. This is how he should be greeting his mom.

And while I’m thinking of Macy, I better call her before she turns up at the apartment again. I think it’s time we had a proper conversation. But first, I need to find a lawyer.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Easton

When I’m on my way to the stadium, Macy calls, saving me from calling her, and I take a deep breath, ready to be civil. Only she doesn’t make it easy.

“Since you won’t let me see him while I’m here, I need you to book a flight for me and Isaac for Christmas. I assume you don’t want him flying alone, so you’ll need to fly me to San Francisco first and then I’ll take him home. Maybe you can come and get him.”

Dammit. “He changed his mind.”

“Excuse me?”

“He said he wants to spend Christmas with my mom. Don’t worry, he’s not choosing me over you.”

“Bullshit. What did she say to him? I bet she forced him.”

I huff out a sigh, rubbing my temple as I drive. “He may only be three, Macy, but he knows what he wants.”

“No. I don’t accept that. He said yes, so he’s coming. He has to come.”

“What does that mean?” I bite back a groan. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but I didn’t think she’d argue this much.

“I need him. It’s Christmas. I need my family during Christmas.”

“Then come to San Francisco. You can take him for lunch and I’ll—”

“No.”

“No?”

“He’s coming to Florida.”

“He’s not going.”

“He said he wanted to come until you brainwashed him.”

“Kids change their minds. All the time. He told me he liked broccoli but that only lasted a day.”

“You’re comparing my situation tobroccoli?”

Fuck, she’s impossible. I pull into the parking garage at the stadium and park, wishing the call would have cut out when I drove underground. “He’s not going, Macy. If you want to spend time with him, it will have to be here. And that’s his choice. It didn’t come from me.”

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