Page 57 of Sunday

Cedar

“So, we’re good to go on this project?”

“Everything is aligned the way it should be. We’ve got the proper permits, the budget for the extra equipment purchases was approved, and we’ve got the right amount of labor in place to start.”

“They’re predicting rain tomorrow,” Emerson James replied.

“I know. It’s happening the rest of this week. It makes no sense to start until next Monday. We should be good to go and get a good run in before we receive another patch of rainy days,” I agreed.

“Well, we’ll get as much done on this sunny stretch as we can before we hit a wall,” Emerson professed.

I glanced at my watch. “Well, if that’s it, I’m heading out for lunch.”

“That’s all I’ve got. How’s that baby coming along? You guys are expecting your little one when?”

“We’ve got fourteen more weeks, but I swear it feels like time is flying by,” I replied.

Emerson smiled and nodded her head. “Yeah, it was the same way when Todd and I were pregnant with the twins. Somedays, it felt as if time was passing so slowly, but before we knew it, they arrived, and life had changed.”

“You’re telling me. It already feels like life has changed,” I mumbled and chuckled.

Although Emerson thought I was talking about the baby, my thoughts were on the devastation that Sunday and I were going through. Ever since our argument three days ago, we hadn’t been talking. I’d started sleeping on a pallet that I made in the nursery, and she was ignoring me. I made sure that she had everything that she needed, but aside from that, we didn’t converse much.

“Embrace the time that you two have alone now before he comes. I wish someone had told me that. Before you know it, intimate and quiet time will be rare commodities,” Emerson joked and walked me to the door.

“I hear you.”

I headed down the hallway and straight to Sunday’s desk. I could only hope that she wouldn’t give me the cold shoulder in front of everyone. I’d been able to avoid the office for the last few days because of some construction projects we had in the field. But today was Wednesday, and I had several meetings lined up this morning. The meeting with Emerson was the last one.

When I arrived at Sunday’s desk, I found it empty. I glanced over at Celine who was typing away rapidly on her laptop. She glanced up as I approached.

“You on a call?”

“No. What’s up?”

“Looking for Sunday. I wanted to surprise her with lunch.”

“She didn’t call you?”

“Nah.”

“She went to lunch about an hour and a half ago with a friend of hers.”

My stomach twisted in knots as I mugged Celine, although it wasn’t her fault.

“Where to?”

“Across the street to Flares.”

“Bet.”

“She might be walking back in here anytime soon.”

“Let her know I stopped by.”

“Will do, baby daddy,” Celine replied jokingly.

I headed out of the HR office and hopped on the elevator. In no time at all, I was crossing the street to Flares, hoping to catch Sunday with this friend. If shit was supposedly so innocent, I wasn’t sure why she wasn’t introducing this chick to her man.

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