That One Moment (Lost in London #2)(24)

“Oh.” I glance back down at Marisa and reach out to touch her hand. She instantly wraps her fingers around mine and tries to pull them to her mouth. “Had I known, I wouldn’t have—”

“Wouldn’t have come?” he asks, a peculiar frown marring his face.

I stare up at his fallen expression. “No, I just mean. I don’t know what I mean.” My cheeks heat. I know exactly what I mean, but I don’t have the nerve to say it. This feels awkward, especially given that all I care about right now are the reasons for his abrupt exit last night.

“Vi!” Leslie sings suddenly from inside the flat and comes rushing over to greet me. She moves past Hayden and brings me in for a hug. She’s dressed in yellow and black polka dot leggings with a long, billowy, green tank. She makes mummyhood look fun and fashionable with her ever-present eclectic style. She beams proudly. “You made it! I’m so pumped. This is Marisa, as you can tell. And your timing is perfect. She’s actually having a great morning, isn’t she Hayden?”

He nods in agreement as Leslie drags me from the steps and into their flat. It’s all wide open with super high ceilings and tons of natural light pouring in from the sweeping industrial windows. It’s very modern and bright with all white walls and several familiar-looking grey wooden furniture pieces taking place of pride throughout the flat. An open staircase leads up to what looks like a loft bedroom. At the same time I peruse, Theo comes bounding down the steps in joggers and a white T-shirt, putting his glasses on and looking a bit groggy.

“Hiya, Vi. How are you?” he asks, coming in and dropping a friendly kiss to my cheek. Then he strides over to Hayden and takes Marisa in his arms. He kisses her over and over on the side of her chubby cheek and she makes a cute gurgled squeal. “Morning, beautiful. You miss me?”

“Theo was up most of the night with her,” Leslie explains. “She wouldn’t sleep. Hayden kept him company for a good bit of it I think.”

Hayden looks at me sheepishly, like he’s uncomfortable with the fact that I’m learning so much about his life in one quick meeting. “Well, she’s gorgeous, Leslie. I’m only sorry I didn’t get here sooner. Can I hold her?”

“Yes…But don’t feel bad if she starts crying,” Leslie adds. “She hates everybody.”

“Not me,” Hayden grumbles defensively.

“Yes, Hayden, you’re special. Marisa loves Uncle Hayden,” Leslie says in a cooing tone.

“She loves Daddy too.” Theo gives Marisa one final smooch before he passes her off to me. He turns to approach Leslie for a hug while murmuring good mornings to her next. I hear Leslie make a smart remark about how she’s number two now, and the two of them playfully quarrel while I cradle Marisa in the crook of my arm. She instantly starts fussing and I struggle to find the right way to hold her so she relaxes.

“Try facing her out,” Hayden offers helpfully, his grey eyes watching me thoughtfully.

I turn her around so she’s facing Hayden and he smiles proudly as she settles. “You know her rather well,” I say, feeling mildly impressed.

He shrugs. “Comes with the territory. It was sort of survival one-o-one to live here.”

“Where do you sleep?”

“There’s a guestroom down that hall.” He points behind himself to an area just off the sunken living room. “I’d ask if you want to sit, but that’s when the fussing usually commences.”

“I’m fine standing,” I say. “So how are you?”

His eyes turn a cold grey as he nods dismissively. “Just fine, thanks. You?”

“Good.” Well that told me absolutely nothing.

“Vi! Oh my God, I completely forgot!” Leslie exclaims, snapping mine and Hayden’s pensive eyeballing away from each other. She rushes over to the large dining room table covered in several floral centrepieces and other various items left over from last night’s event. She searches around for a moment before she finds what she’s looking for and turns to me. “You won!”

She’s holding the trinket box that I bid on last night. My eyes alight! “Seriously?”

Leslie smiles broadly. “I know, you lucky duck. You get to go on an amazing holiday!”

“What?” I ask, confused.

“The holiday you bid on. It’s a weekend in Barcelona. I’m so jealous I’m not even happy for you.”

I frown. “Oh, crap. I didn’t even realise. I was just bidding on the box.”

“What do you mean?” Theo asks, eyeing me sternly as Leslie resumes her position in his arms.

I shift Marisa in my grasp before replying, “I really only wanted the box. I have a gift idea in mind for my dad and the box…I don’t know…It just called to me. Do you guys know where they came from? I’m hoping to find four more.”

They all stare at me, completely gobsmacked. Leslie speaks first, “Vi, you bid six hundred pounds for a box?”

I immediately flush with embarrassment. “I just saw it as a donation,” I reply meekly. Christ, Leslie, did you have to blurt it out like that?

Hayden’s stare is piercing through me so hard I can hardly look at anyone else.

Leslie laughs, “Vi, you do know that Hay—”

“Congratulations,” Hayden interrupts her. “I hope you still enjoy the trip, regardless. It is donated and paid in full already.”