Promises You Can't Keep (A Tom Hiddleston/Lee Pace Fan Fic)

Part 2 ~ Chapter 3

Mallory's POV

"So, what do you think he meant by that?" I ask.

Sophie rolls her eyes before sighing. It's not that she's not taking my question seriously; it's more that I've asked it at least three times since we were seated at our table in the back of the restaurant.

Sophie and I had snuck away to lunch a few days after Tom called, leaving her children with Ben and Jamie with my mum who's staying with me for a few days.

I say "snuck" because the word is out: the press and Tom's fandom know about Jamie. When word first broke the day after Tom FaceTimed with the baby, I was afraid it'd set us back. After all, Tom asking Jamie and I to stay the night was a big thing. If I'm honest, I know he was really asking for Jamie to spend the night, and I'm just an unavoidable tether at the moment. Still, I hold out hope that there was more to Tom's request than appears on the surface. Hence, my question to Sophie.

"I suppose he's asking Jamie and you to stay the night," she says before taking a sip of her water.

"I know, but..."

"I wouldn't read anything more into it than what Tom has said. He wants to see what it's like to be an all around dad, that's all," she says, not meeting my gaze. That's when I know something is up.

"What do you know that you're not telling me?" I ask, steeling myself for the news I dread hearing.

"Let me just say it's not been confirmed," she starts before muttering, "Shit, Ben is going to kill me for telling you this."

I try to sit patiently as Sophie gathers her thoughts, but inside I'm skittering like a cornered cat.

"There are rumors that Tom is seeing his co-star," she says while reaching across the table to grab my hand. "They are rumors, mind you. Neither Tom nor Luke have confirmed anything."

"But Ben thinks the rumors are true," I say, pulling my hand from Sophie's.

"I don't know. I only know that Tom talked to Ben after he FaceTimed Jamie. It was very hush hush, but I could hear Ben saying something about not hurting you."

A look must have crossed my face, causing Sophie to reach for my hand again.

"I shouldn't have said anything. I'm so sorry, Mallory."

I don a tight smile before disengaging our hands. "It's alright, really. After all, he hasn't said he wants to start a relationship or anything. As long as he's a good father to Jamie, that's all that matters."

We continue on with our lunch, though it's subdued and I mostly push my food around on my plate.

"Hey, everything will be okay," she says as she gives me a quick hug and kiss goodbye. I walk out on to the pavement, and I see a photographer snap my photo. I don't pay any attention. After all, this is the new reality for me, with or without Tom by my side.

One week later...

"Tonight's the big night, little man," Tom says as he opens his door to us with a big smile. I smile back at him as his eyes move from Jamie to me.

"It's good to see you. You look great, Mal," he says with a look of pure happiness in his eyes, taking Jamie from my arms to kiss him on his forehead then cheeks. Must be his newfound love, I think. Jamie seems happy to see his dad, giggling at the attention, whereas I've been a ball of indeterminate emotions since Sophie told me of Tom and his co-star, Lily.

I'd read the stories, even seen the photos. I also know how this works - sometimes stories of romance between co-stars are innocuous: just a trick of the light when photographed or a comment taken out of context. Other times, it's exactly what it looks like. I can't tell which it is from either the photos or stories of Tom and Lily. Still, I'm a glutton for punishment, imaging that it's the latter, and I've got my stomach tied in knots because of it.