No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 11



"Felicia, Mr. Wagner's on the line for you." Deborah Walker, who had tagged along with me, extended the phone toward me.

I had underestimated Conrad's persistence. In such a situation, I could only take the phone and respond formally, "Mr. Wagner, what can I do for you?"

"Felicia," Conrad's voice was deep, laced with evident remorse, "Why did you leave so early today? I got home, and you weren't there."

Realizing he wasn't talking shop, I stepped away. "Went out for breakfast."

Conrad apologized to me. "Sorry, I... got held up last night. Couldn't make it back."

A chill ran through me, my lips curling into a mocking smile. "And why was that?"

Conrad was silent.

I held my breath, giving him a way out. "Couldn't find a caregiver?"

Conrad replied calmly, "Yes."

nothing more before Conrad spoke again, "Felicia, when are you free?

since we last had a meal together. According to what Jimmy had said the night before, Conrad had been staying with Haley. Was his sudden invitation for lunch a guilt trip for bailing on me the

I'll be free. Maybe I won't finish up

in my voice, then

was there to think about if he could

to drag personal matters into it. "I'm busy right now. If

respond, so I

included discussing with partners and on-site inspections. After wrapping up the discussions by ten in the morning, Deborah and I

with me in charge of monitoring all its phases. Eighty percent complete, my task was to ensure the final output

make the trip as part of the process. Walking the site left my feet swollen and

rest, and Deborah noticed my discomfort.

just a sore foot," I didn't hide it. If we weren't in the field, I'd have loved to kick off my shoes and give

observed my face. "Felicia, you seem off,

gestured to

And when a woman's mood was off, no

then

a chatterbox, and I feared her probing

a shadow loomed