She made coffee and let Damien talk while she listened.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t let you know Brooke was in town. She honestly just appeared without warning. It took me by surprise and with Brooke the surprises are generally not pleasant. This time was no exception.’
‘What is she doing here?’ Abi asked, although what she really wanted to ask was, Where did she stay last night and what have you been doing?
‘She’s been offered a permanent role in the sitcom. She came to tell me she’s staying in New York.’
‘What does that mean for you and Summer?’ With one question Abi had got to the heart of the problem.
‘I don’t know. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I need to work out what my options are but I need to base my decisions on what is best for Summer. She is my priority and you are the person who knows us best. I need your opinion. I’ve always said I would do what’s best for Summer but it turns out I don’t know what that is,’ he admitted. ‘Is keeping her away from her mother the best thing? Or should I move to New York?’
Abi didn’t want to answer that question. She knew she couldn’t answer it without bias. She knew Damien had moved to LA because of Brooke and she’d been afraid that he would move again to keep his family together, but surely there had to come a time where he wouldn’t be manipulated by Brooke?
Abi knew she was thinking of her own interests as well when she answered but did that matter when she also believed she was thinking of what was best for Summer too? ‘Does Summer want to go?’
‘No.’ He shook his head and continued, ‘But she is five, she doesn’t get to decide.’
‘Has Brooke asked for Summer to go to New York?’
‘No.’
‘Then there’s absolutely nothing wrong with keeping Summer with you. Brooke has made no secret of the fact she doesn’t want a child. You’re not obliged to send Summer or to move you both. Let Summer visit her in New York. Better yet, make Brooke come here.’
‘We’ll have to come to some sort of official agreement if we’re living on opposite sides of the country. I’m not sure if the courts will give me sole custody.’
‘Well, then, you’ll just have to find out about all the hoops you’ll need to jump through to keep her and be prepared to start jumping. Child care will be the big thing but I imagine Brooke’s hours are as inconsistent as yours so as long as you make good arrangements for that you might be okay. You can afford child care but you’ll need something more permanent than sending Summer to Irma’s. After-school care only covers you for so long. It’s not a bad option, it gives Summer some interaction with other kids, but perhaps it’s not ideal every day. You’ll need a nanny or some organised care.’
‘Do you think I can manage on my own? Do you think that’s fair to Summer?’
‘Trust me, having one parent who loves her and puts her first is all she will need.’ Abi knew that she was speaking the truth this time, she had plenty of experience in that department. ‘You’re doing a fabulous job with her. You can do this.’
She knew she should have sent him on his way when she’d discovered him on her doorstep but she hadn’t been able to resist him. He still looked a bit overwhelmed by the situation but Abi knew he would work it out. He was an intelligent, sensible man and she hoped he made an intelligent, sensible decision.
She could forgive him for the past twenty-four hours, she could forgive him for putting Summer first. She could give him forgiveness but what did she get?
She wasn’t sure yet.
* * *
She was on tenterhooks for the next few days, waiting to hear what his decision was, but everything was quiet.
Every time there was a knock on her office door she found herself hoping that it would be Damien, bringing her the news she was desperate to hear, but each time she was disappointed.
And this latest interruption was no exception. There was a knock on the door and it opened to reveal Brooke. She was still in sky-high stilettos but she’d swapped the skinny jeans for a figure-hugging dress.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I thought this was Damien’s office. I’m meeting him for lunch.’
Brooke was the last person Abi wanted to see. She’d been hoping for the news that Brooke had returned to New York but clearly that wasn’t the case. ‘He’s next door,’ Abi said, hoping to move her on, but instead she stepped into the room.
From her deliberate action and calm and measured manner Abi suspected she hadn’t mixed up the offices at all. She suspected that Brooke had orchestrated this meeting but what she wanted to know was why. Had she won the battle over Damien? The battle Abi hadn’t even realised they were having?
She wasn’t kept in suspense for long.
‘Seeing as you’re so close to Damien and Summer, I expect you’ve heard the news?’ Brooke said as she arched one finely plucked and expertly made-up eyebrow.
‘What news?’ Abi said, wishing as the words came out of her mouth that she’d kept quiet. She didn’t want to know any news that Brooke might want to impart. A sixth sense told her it could only mean bad news for her.
‘Damien and I are reconciling. He’s moving to New York.’
Abi’s stomach lurched. Too late she wished she’d pretended to be busy and sent Brooke on her way. Each word had felt like a punch she would never recover from. She felt ridiculous, naive, used and stupid. She’d given him her advice and her body. He’d asked her for advice but he hadn’t listened. She’d given herself to him but he hadn’t been honest with her. All she wanted was honesty.
She liked to think she was clever but she obviously wasn’t smart. Not worldly-wise. She was pathetic. When would she learn?
‘No, I hadn’t heard that.’ She wondered if Brooke was expecting her to congratulate her. If she was, she was going to be disappointed. Abi summoned up all her reserves and said, ‘If you’ll excuse me, I have patients to see. You’ll find Damien next door.’ She forced the words out and prayed that Brooke would go away and leave her alone.
She sank into her chair and watched Brooke leave, knowing she couldn’t compete. All she’d wanted was for Damien to find her attractive, but now that she’d met Brooke she realised there was no way she could measure up if Brooke was the type of woman he desired. Abi was far too different.
She put her head in her hands and let the tears flow. She was a fool. When would she learn?
‘Abi? Is everything okay?’
She looked up at the sound of her name to find Mila in her doorway.
‘What’s happened?’
Abi reached for a tissue and wiped her eyes. The tissue came away streaked with mascara.
‘It’s nothing,’ she said, as she threw the tissue in the trash.
Mila closed the office door. Was nobody going to leave her alone today? She wanted to lick her wounds in private but that wasn’t being terribly professional. Mila must have come to see her about Dylan. She hoped everything was all right.
‘Did you need to see me?’
‘I was in the clinic so I thought I’d just give you an update on Dylan but that can wait. Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?’
‘It’s nothing, really. I just got some news that’s upset me but I’ll be fine. I just need a moment to get my head together.’
‘Is it Damien?’
‘Why do