Hard Embrace

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Within three months, I found a new place and a new job that's fifteen minutes away. I got a good reference from my last daycare and was hired at Sunshine Early Learning after the first interview.

The daycare atmosphere was amazing, along with the other teachers and children.

The second month of settling in my apartment, I started getting calls from Larenz. He would call from different numbers, so I just changed my number and kept it moving.

Dating was not on my radar, I was turned off by men when I left my ex. But then I met Marcus.

"Morning, Tamryn."

"Good morning, Becca."

I walked into my classroom and was greeted by a bouquet of pink roses. My smile was instant as I read the note on the beautiful flowers.

I cherish every moment I've spent with you. I hope it never ends.

Marcus was so sweet, handsome, and mature. He was the attorney for a Fortune 500 publishing company and has won awards for his involvement with charities.

I was surprised when he asked me out when he came to pick up his son. Yeah, he's a dad.

We've been dating for a month now, and I was excited about seeing him tonight.

"Hey, Tam. You got a message."

Ruby gave me the sticky note and walked away. My stomach began to drop. Sterling Aubreo reached out to me, and I was trying to stay calm.

What does he want?

I crumbled up the paper and threw it in the trash basket under my desk. The rest of the day went smoothly, and I began cleaning up as the last few parents came to pick up their toddlers.

"Are you Ms. Rhodes?"

I turned toward the female voice.

"Yes, how can I help you?"

The woman was beautiful with shoulder-length brown hair. She wore designer clothes and sunglasses. She took them off and smirked at me.

"So, you're the one fucking him now."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm Kendra. I'm Marquis' mother."

I should've known, but I'm usually not here the days she picks him up. Marcus really didn't talk about his ex. The only thing he said was they co-parent, and he pays child support.

"Do you always sleep with your clients?"

"Kendra, your words are very inappropriate."

"Girl please. Don't try to play innocent. How long have y'all been screwing?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but we haven't slept together."

"Bullshit, as fine as he is, and he got money..." She laughed.

"Your son isn't here, so you can leave."

Kendra put her shades back on. "Yeah, whatever. See you around number seven."

***

It's been a few days since I reached out to Tamryn's job. She hasn't called me back, and my patience was running thin...so thin I decided to take a ride.

I sound crazy driving an hour away to see her, but I'd drive across the country if I had to.

My thoughts were on what Merla told me about Tamryn being a Nova. Our connection was strong when we were around each other, and I missed having that feeling.

Every dream I had was filled with her, and I was determined to have her in my life somehow.

When I pulled into the parking lot, a few parents were walking out with their little ones. I smiled at how adorable their children were and wondered how many Tamryn would want.

I backed into a parking spot, and before I could get out, Tamryn walked out the building. She was so fucking beautiful.

My eyes trailed up and down her body as she walked off the sidewalk. Then a smile formed on her face as a man in a suit walked toward her and gave her a hug.

They kissed and I growled.

"Who the fuck is that?"

He opened the passenger side door for her as she got inside. They shared another kiss once he got in the car then he drove off.

I smirked, pulling out of the parking spot. Following them down the road, I turned my music up.

"Time to start some shit."