Ready for You (Ready #3)(59)

“That’s why we moved it up so quickly, but he wanted to marry me, regardless of the baby.”

“But something changed?” she asked hesitantly.

“Don’t they always? I was young and easily swayed by my parents. I told them, thinking they’d support me. God, I was stupid. My mother convinced me that I would ruin Garrett’s life by going through with it.”

“So, you ran.”

I nodded. “So, I ran.”

“Does Garrett know why you left?”

“No, it doesn’t matter.”

Her hands squeezed mine. “It does matter. Don’t you think he deserves to know everything?”

It was a question I’d thought about so many times.

But I’d always come to the same answer.

“It doesn’t change the past.”

~Garrett~

“I am so f**ked,” I said to no one as I surveyed the amount of unfinished work on my desk. That was just the paper. I still had a ton of emails, reports, and a dozen other things to go through.

I’d never been so far behind in my life. I was always the go-getter, the man who finished first and asked for more. Looking down at the clock on my computer, it registered that I’d been in the office for almost four hours, and I’d accomplished nothing.

Not only was I behind but now I was lazy, too.

And the kicker was that I didn’t care, not one f**king bit.

I was just sitting in my chair, counting down the minutes until I could run for the elevator and leave.

So, this was what the rest of America felt like?

It was boring.

For the first time since starting my job, I realized it was nauseatingly boring. I’d always hated it, but I’d just been too busy to care.

My phone chirped, and I checked it. A text from Liv appeared, saying she’d just arrived at Mia’s and she was feeding her.

I smiled, glad that Mia wasn’t alone and was being taken care of. I hated the thought of her being by herself today after what she had gone through.

I could have killed Brent Malcolm with my bare hands. I always knew he was a jerk, but yesterday, he’d proven he was a Grade A ass**le. Not being one to listen in on high school gossip, I’d never known the rumors floating around about Mia. Had I known, I would have protected her as best as I could.

A knock on my office door pulled me out of my thoughts, and I found Kara walking in. Her pencil skirt and tight blouse did nothing for me as she neared, but I suddenly wondered what Mia would look like dressed like this.

Is this how she dressed for work in her old life?

I couldn’t picture my Mia in an office, working files and pushing numbers.

My Mia.

It had been less than two days, and I’d already fallen back into my old ways.

“Hey, Kara.”

“Hey, just came in to check on you.”

“Huh?” I asked in confusion.

“You were sick, and I wanted to make sure you were feeling better.”

Oh, that. Visions of taking Mia on the kitchen counter came to mind—her body reacting to my every touch, shattering as she pulsated around me.

Best sick day ever.

“Right. I feel much better, thanks.” I might have thrown a little cough in there for effect.

“Great!” she said brightly. Her hands folded together, and she lingered. “I was also wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat.”

“What? Now?”

“Well, it is lunchtime.”

Her eyes were hopeful, and she bit her lip as she waited for my answer. When Mia did this, it would drive me to my knees, but I felt nothing seeing Kara do the exact same gesture.

“Kara, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I’m seeing someone.”

“Oh.” Her eyes were downcast, and the look of defeat was clearly written all over her face. “Is it serious?” she asked.

I answered honestly, “She’s the one.”

Her eyes softened, and she smiled. “I’m happy for you, Garrett.” She sounded genuine and sincere.

“Thank you, Kara,”

“Do you still want to grab some lunch? Friends only, I promise,” she asked, throwing her hands up in defense.

I laughed but declined. “Actually, there’s someone I’d like to visit.”

Twenty minutes later, I had a bag of food, and I was once again knocking on a door. Lately, it seemed to be my thing.

Declan opened the door this time, and I heard Lily yell in glee.

He grinned. “That better be for me.” He pointed to the huge bag of greasy food.

“Sure, but you’ve got to share.”

He shrugged and invited me in.

“Leah’s not here, if that’s who you are looking for. She had to work.”

“Nope,” I answered, as I walked through the double doors, “ I came to see you actually.”

I followed him into their massive kitchen and pulled out the food as he set out the plates. While I placed the food on the plates, he set Lily down. She was now happily eating Cheerios in her high chair, blowing raspberry with her tongue.

“So, the food really was for me,” he said with a grin, “Nice.”

We made quick work of our food. Being men, we didn’t talk much as we ate. We just shoveled food and washed it down.