Please don’t text me.
Every last woman but one turned to me with judging eyes.
I could practically see them all questioning why they would bother Copper, who was such an important man, instead of texting the mother.
Was there something wrong with me?
Was I a bad mother?
Was I…
“Ma’am,” the one without the judgy eyes said. “I’ll be the one in charge of your son. If you’d like us to text you first, we’ll do that.”
“It’s whatever is easiest,” I said. “I work as well, so if I don’t answer, that means I’m on a call. You can text or call Copper as well. One of us will be available to answer your questions if you have any.”
The non-judgmental one held out her hand to me and said, “My name is Rawlins. Like the baseball glove.”
I nodded. “Baker.”
“And this cute little boy is Holt.” She took the paper Copper was still holding out and my son’s car seat. “Is anyone able to pick him up besides you two?”
“We’ll leave it at just us two for now,” Copper answered for me. “If you have any concerns, call.”
Rawlins nodded. “Will do, Mr. Clayborne.”
She took Holt over to a partitioned-off room that had one other baby in it and then started unstrapping him from his car seat.
I watched until she had him in her arms, and he still didn’t cry.
“You ready?” Copper asked.
I hesitated, not sure I was ready to leave yet.
But then my phone beeped, reminding me that I still had a job to do. One that was a little extra since my sister and mom weren’t answering because they were visiting colleges with my youngest sister.
“Yeah,” I said. “Are you sure you’re okay with me being in your office while I work?”
“I’m used to the distractions,” he said. “I never got a single second of alone time in fifteen years. I can compartmentalize with the best of them.”
That made sense.
“Okay,” I said. “I’m ready.”
With one final look at Holt, I let Copper tug me toward the door.
When we got to his office, I finally saw little pieces of him in the décor.
His sister, Keely, was waiting for him in his office, sitting at his desk eating a donut.
“Finally,” Keely said without looking up. “I didn’t realize it would take you an extra ten…who are you?”
“Keely, this is my roommate for another couple of weeks. Baker, this is my sister, Keely,” Copper introduced us.
“Baker. As in Shad’s daughter, Baker?” Keely beamed.
“That’s me,” I said as she got up and shook my hand. “Are you the reason Copper has little whispers running rampant around the shop today? They’re all wondering when he had this secret baby, and who the baby mama is.”
“That’d be me,” I said. “Though it’s not Copper’s baby.”
