Page 34 of The New Guy
I spend the flight wondering what Jordyn is doing with her grandparents in Manhattan, and worrying. There’s no reason for me to think that she isn’t being well cared for. But I have not spent a night away from Jordyn in over two years, and I feel unsettled.
I took this trip for a reason, though. When Henry offered it to me, I saw the date and realized that it was good timing on a number of levels. Eddie’s parents would have Jordyn’s company, which they crave.
And I’d be too busy—taping up ankles and knees—to remember that four years ago tomorrow was my wedding day.
* * *
When we deplane, there’s a bus ready to take us to the hotel. I take a seat next to Heidi Jo, the manager’s assistant.
“Do you mind if I make a quick phone call?” I ask her. “It’s my daughter’s bedtime.”
“Go for it,” she says. “I don’t mind.”
When I call Eustace’s phone, Jordyn picks up. “Daddy! Are you in Florida? Is it pretty?”
“It’s dark,” I tell her. “And I’m on a bus. How is the hotel?”
“Pretty,” she says. “Fancy. The juice was in a wineglass, and the carpet is swirly.”
“Five stars! Are you going to the ballet tomorrow?”
“Yes! But…” She drops her voice to a whisper. “Grandma wants us to go to a salon first.”
Uh-oh. “Maybe I should talk to her. There’s nothing wrong with your hair.” She hates having it cut, and I hate arguing about it. So what if it’s a little shaggy?
“She says it’s too long, and I would look so cute with layers. What are layers?”
“Baby, I have no idea. Hold on.” I turn to Heidi Jo. “Any idea what layers are in hair? My daughter needs to know.”
Heidi Jo beams. “Layers are just a fancy way of cutting the ends of your hair to give it more shape. It’s not a big deal.”
“Thanks.” I return the phone to my ear. “Did you hear that?”
“Yeah.” My daughter sighs. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Agreed. But you donothave to get your hair cut if you don’t want to. Let me talk to Grandma and I’ll tell her.”
Jordyn thinks this over. “No, it’s okay. I like going places with Grandma.”
“Are yousure?” My chest feels suddenly, horribly tight. She shouldn’t have to navigate this alone. I just want to get back on the plane and go right home again.
“I’m cool,” she says, a phrase she’s picked up from my sister. “I get to see a ballet.”
“Okay.” I swallow hard. “I love you. So much.”
“Love you, Daddy!”
After we hang up, I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I should have stayed in Brooklyn. My mother-in-law is a steamroller.”
“That does sound awkward. I’ve been lucky—my in-laws are more laid-back than my actual family.”
“Winning.” I give her a fist bump.
The hotel, when we arrive, is sleek and luxurious. My room has a giant king-sized bed, and a balcony with a view of the darkened everglades.
So that’s where I go, leaning on the railing, checking out the wide, flat horizon against the nighttime sky. Standing there in the warm breeze, I try very hard not to think about Eddie, and the joy on his face when he slipped a gold band onto my finger.
After our wedding, I used to stare at that ring sometimes, even though it made me feel vain. Jewelry had never been my thing, but I treasured that ring, and everything that it represented.With all my love for Gavinwas inscribed on the inside of the band.
