“You have to believe me.”
“Believe what? That you just happened to run into me at the gala? That we just happened to be seated next to each other? That we just happened to end up working together? None of that was an accident. You set this whole thing up. You knew who I was from the first time you saw me.”
“No.” His voice cracked. “I didn’t know it was you at the gala. I saw you from across the room and you looked so familiar, but I didn’t realize who you were until you said your name. I swear it, on my life.”
My breath hitched. Could I believe him?
“I need to think,” I whispered. “Please.”
His lips brushed my cheek and I closed my eyes against the onslaught of emotions. I wanted him, even now. I wanted him to hold me and tell me it was all a misunderstanding. But he was hiding too much from me. Even if he truly hadn’t planned our meeting, he’d known from the beginning who I was, and he’d pursued me, knowing I didn’t remember him. That wasn’t the grand romantic gesture he was making it out to be.
He stepped back, his eyes full of pain. “Okay. I’ll leave you alone for now, but please don’t shut me out, Caitlin. I love you.”
I nodded, unable to speak as he walked out of the house.
I went to Thomas’s room, shutting the door behind me. He was still asleep, his little arms wrapped around his stuffed dinosaur. I stroked my fingers down his cheek and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
My heart was breaking at the thought that his father had lied to us and betrayed us. I had let Zachary into our lives and he had let us down in the worst way. I sat down next to the bed, my heart aching and my eyes stinging with unshed tears. But as I watched him sleep, I realized that I couldn’t make any decisions based on how I was feeling right now. I needed to make the best choice for him, no matter how much it hurt me.
I knocked softly on the door before pushing it open a crack. Zachary’s voice bade me enter, and I stepped inside, shutting the door quickly behind me. The media was still swarming around the house, although the police were keeping them at bay. I didn’t know how much longer I could take it. Thomas was getting tired and cranky, and I was exhausted, too.
“Hey, buddy.” Zachary stood next to my desk and knelt next to Thomas as he toddled into the room. “It’s so good to see you again.”
Thomas’s brow furrowed. “Daddy?”
Zachary nodded, a soft smile on his face. “Yes. I’m your daddy.”
“Daddy.” Thomas said again, uncertainly. He looked back at me and I nodded.
“Yes, Thomas. He’s your daddy. Do you want to talk to him for a minute?”
Thomas nodded and looked back at Zachary. “Dinosaur.”
Zachary smiled. “Yes, I have a dinosaur for you.” He pulled a bag out of his briefcase and handed it to Thomas. “Here you go, buddy.”
“Dinosaur.” Thomas’s face lit up as he pulled the toy out of the bag and he held it up for me to see. “Dino.”
“Yes, it is. What do you say to Zachary?” I prompted.
“Thank you.”
Zachary’s eyes shined with unshed tears as he stood. “You’re welcome.”
“I’ll give you two some privacy.” I took Thomas’s hand and led him back to my office. “Stay here, okay? Mommy will be back in a few minutes.” I shut the door, leaving Zachary alone in his office with Thomas.
I leaned back against the door, listening for Thomas’s voice. I could hear him chattering away in there, although I couldn’t make out his words. After a few minutes, I knocked on the door and poked my head in.
“Ready to go?”
Zachary stood up from where he was sitting on the floor next to Thomas. “Sure. I have another meeting, anyway.”
I took Thomas’s hand as he toddled out of the room, holding his new toy next to his chest. I looked back at Zachary as we walked out, and our eyes met for a brief second before he looked away.
“Thanks for letting him meet me today,” he said.
I shrugged. “He deserves to know his father. I just hope you don’t let him down.”
I left without another word, not giving him the chance to respond.
Alena was pacing back and forth in the office when I walked back in with Thomas. “Where have you been?” she hissed. “The media is going crazy. I need you to call a press conference and get this under control.”
I set Thomas down next to my desk, and he immediately went back to playing with his blocks.
“I’ll set it up. Give me a minute.”
“You need to get this under control,” Alena said again.
I stopped what I was doing and turned to look at her. “I’m doing my best, okay? If you think you can do better, why don’t you try it? Otherwise, leave me alone and let me do my job.” I turned back to my computer, but not before I saw the stunned look on her face. She didn’t say another word as she walked out of my office.
I finished making the arrangements for the press conference and then took Thomas to the break room for a snack. He munched happily on animal crackers as I sat across from him, eating a yogurt and trying not to think about the fact that Zachary was somewhere in the building.
By the time I took Thomas back to my office, Zachary was waiting for me by my desk. He picked Thomas up when he toddled over to him and settled him on his hip.