Page 19 of The Boss Problem

“We’re better off this way. Really. But I have work to get to, and you wanted to speak to me about something?”

“Yes. Lucas.”

I sighed.

“Matt and I want to spend more time here. We’re planning to have our wedding here in six months, and I need to scout more locations for the perfect venue. And since our work lets us log on remotely?—”

“How much more time?” I asked, cutting her short.

I didn’t need to know everything about her itinerary. She never understood the pain I’d felt upon learning about hersordid affair. And she continued to behave like we could still be friends. I wished she would stop trying.

She hesitated. “Another month?”

I screwed my eyes shut because I knew what this meant for Lucas. I loved having my son here, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.

“I am more than happy for Lucas to be here, but I doubt he feels the same. He misses you.”

“Please, Sean? Make it up to him by buying him something nice.”

What could I buy?

“Moana figurines perhaps?” I asked.

“He’s into Spider-Man,” she corrected me.

I drew in a deep breath. Damn it. She was right. How had I forgotten?

“All right. I’ll try to make him happy. You know I haven’t seen him smile at me even once?”

The line cut off.

I stopped and cursed when I realized she had hung up. Of course she would have no solutions to my problems with Lucas. Why would I burden her with that expectation? No one knew how to help my son and me get along.

Setting my phone down on the polished oak table, I shoved my hands into my pockets furiously.

I wished she had told Lucas the news herself. He always did better with her.

The sound of footsteps broke me out of my memories. Wearing his blue Spider-Man pajamas, which his mom had purchased, and looking bleary-eyed, Lucas walked in. Had I been so busy that I didn’t realize his obsession with Spider-Man? His brown hair was tousled, his eyes suspicious as he regarded me, and his mouth was set in a stubborn line.

“Hey, Lucas. You’re up early,” I said easily as I came close to him.

He retreated behind the couch, and I froze. It was obvious he wanted me as far from him as possible, and I could respect that, even if it hurt.

Besides, how soon did I have to break the news to him? If I told him the truth right now, it would ruin his entire day at school.

He eyed the phone on the counter. “Did I hear you talking to Mom?”

I nodded.

“Is she bringing me a Spidey toy when she arrives tonight?”

I inhaled and mentally reminded myself to buy him all the Spider-Man toys one might find in New York.

“She will—I’m sure of it,” I told him and watched his rebellious face relax for a second. “But she won’t be coming tonight, Lucas. Her flight?—”

His face fell, and before I could reach out to him and tell him I’d make up for it in—oh, I didn’t know—as many ways as I could, he ran back to his room and slammed the door on me. I heard the door lock as I approached and hung my head.

“Lucas,” I said, standing outside his door and wondering how I could soften the blow. “It’ll be fine,” I said, wishing I knew what else to say instead. “I’m here. I’ll be with you.”

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