Page 118 of Missing Pieces (Men of Manhattan 3)

Talking to her did give me a little bit of hope. "I guess we'll see."

"Maybe our kids can play together." She smiled as we walked toward the door.

"I'd like that." I stepped out into the hall.

"And Hailey?"

I turned around.

"Please don't break his heart. I...I'll never forgive myself for how much I hurt him. I just so badly wanted to hold on to our friendship. I never meant to hurt him. He deserves the world. And..."

"He forgives you." I stepped forward and gave her a hug. I wasn't sure why I said that. I was just in a forgiving mood. But it felt like if he was here, he'd say the same thing.

She was going through enough. The worry was all over her face. She didn't need to worry about Tyler. I was going to take care of him. She looked a little more at peace when I released her from my hug.

"Good luck with the baby. And getting James to take it easy."

She smiled. "Thanks for letting me ramble. We're going to be okay. It's just been a little overwhelming."

I had no doubt that they'd be okay.

"And good luck with the baby yourself. And with Tyler. But you won't need it. He's going to be thrilled to see you."

"Thanks, Penny."

I stepped back into the elevator feeling so optimistic. I looked down at the piece of paper Penny had handed me. Josh's name was on it. For some reason it seemed like it was going to be a lot easier to talk to Josh than Tyler. And maybe he could tell me where Tyler was. My conversation with Tyler needed to be in person, not over the phone.

Chapter 64

Tyler

Tuesday

I watched Josh inhale the plate of brownies I had brought him.

"I seriously love your mom," he said with his mouth full. "Just because of these brownies, she's a total MILF."

"Don't make me beat you up."

He laughed. "You know you couldn't take me."

"Wanna bet?"

He shrugged and shoved another brownie in his face. "Maybe you could take me if you had actually gone through basic training."

I lightly shoved his arm and he pretended to fall off the kitchen stool.

He laughed as he sat back down. "Want to go out tonight? A new bar just opened down the street."

"I don't think I'm up for it. I'm a little jet-lagged."

"Come on, it's going to be awesome."

"Not tonight." I wasn't sure when I'd be up for it, but it wasn't anytime soon.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Fine. We'll just wait and see what the night brings." He pulled out his phone and started texting someone.

"You can go out if you want though." I wanted to read through the letters Hailey had written to me. I had been putting it off. At first it seemed like it would torture me for no reason, but now I just wanted to feel close to her. It was all I had left.

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