Page 45 of Delicate Storm

“Pancakes.” He runs into the kitchen and crawls up onto his stool near the counter.

“Okay. Done.”

“Annnd waffles and eggs,” he adds with a pleading smile, making me laugh.

“Woah, Buddy. That might give you a stomachache before the zoo.”

His face drops at my response. “Is Mom really coming?”

Fuck. This kid is barely three and yet he’s acutely aware that he has a shitty, unreliable mother.

I swear to God if she cancels—

“Do you think I’ll see a snake eating today?” He changes the subject before I’m able to respond and it’s lucky he did, because it stopped me from having to lie to him. The truth is that I don’t know if she’s coming. But for her sake, I hope she does.

While I make pancakes, Isaac and I talk about all the animals at the San Francisco Zoo, with him telling me his favorites and the ones he thinks Macy will like. My chest burns when he gets her favorites wrong because it’s just more proof that she doesn’t see him enough to bond with him.

“When we go, I’ll let you see the wolves. I know you like them.” He smiles and it warms my heart. Of course, he’s right. Because I’ve told him that. Because we spend time together. And bond.

God, she makes me crazy.

As Isaac’s pickup time arrives, so too does my headache. The clock ticks over to eleven and then eleven ten and eleven fifteen, while my heart slams in my chest, waiting, pretending everything is fine, while Isaac plays happily.

When the time ticks over to eleven twenty, I’ve had enough.

“I’m just going out to the balcony for a minute, Isaac. I’ll be back.” I keep my voice light, but I’m beyond pissed off. Only, I’ve just stepped outside to call Macy when my intercom buzzes.

She’s here. God, I hope that’s a good thing.

I don’t say anything to Isaac until our concierge confirms it, then it’s go time and I suddenly feel worse.

“Come on, Buddy. Your mom’s here.”

Isaac smiles brightly and I both love and hate it for him. He deserves to be happy, and I’m glad Macy stuck by her word. But a little part of me hoped she’d mess up because how long can he handle the ups and the downs before it scars him for life?

No matter what, Isaac is my priority. I know kids need their moms but not if they’re messing with their kids’ mental health.

After grabbing Isaac’s bag, we meet Macy in the lobby before traveling down to the parking garage. The code to the garage was all I was willing to give her. I wasn’t going to tell her which floor I was on, and I definitely wasn’t letting the concierge buzz her up.

I chat with Isaac as we go, and it’s not until he’s settled in his seat that I turn to Macy with a forced smile, my credit card in hand. “If he doesn’t come home with the biggest fucking grin on his face,” I grate almost under my breath, “you will never get another dime from me.”

“We’re going to have a great day.” Macy smiles cheerily back at me, and we both wave when Isaac glances our way. “You don’t have to worry about us.”

Understatement of the year. That’s all I’m going to be doing. She may not have been a bad mom in the early days, but now, I don’t trust her at all.

After walking over to the driver’s side, Macy shoots me a wink, which I glare at until I remember what I had to tell her, my mood lifting. “Oh, and Macy, I reduced my credit card limit. You’ve got three hundred for the day; use it wisely.”

Her jaw drops as I suppress my smirk and turn away, waving at Isaac one last time before Macy drives away with my world in the back seat of her rental, the high of ruining her plans fading away.

God, I hope I made the right decision. She’s his mom and if she’s trying, I have to respect that, for Isaac’s sake. But what if I messed up?

My head aches and I’m feeling dejected as I step into the elevator from the parking garage, and when it stops in the lobby, I internally groan. I just want to get home. I’ve only got a couple of hours before I have to be at the stadium, and I need time to detox from Macy before I leave.

Resting my head against the mirrored wall, I release a slow drawn-out breath and close my eyes.

They’re going to have fun. Macy’s going to be a good mom. He’s safe. He’s cared for. He’s—

“Are you okay?” A familiar voice seeps into my consciousness, drawing my attention. And when I open my eyes, I find Paige’s beautiful gaze staring back at me.

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