Leave Me Lonely (JB+AG)

Leave Me Lonely (22)

Ariana

Wednesday, December 20

2:21 pm

"I have to leave work late tonight."

"Sucks for you. I'll be at home partying." Tara says.

"I'm sure you will. T, you need a boyfriend. We're going clubbing either tonight or tomorrow."

"I didn't agree to that. And who would watch Lilia?"

"There's this thing called a babysitter. I'll find one. People love Lily."

"But she doesn't love people."

"She'll be alright. She'll have to get used to people sometime. I know for a fact her mother will not be staying home with her all the time. Sorry, baby! I love you."

"You know she can't hear you." Tara asks.

"I'm well aware, thank you. I'm gonna start looking for babysitters now."

I grab my phone, and right as I turn it on, it starts ringing.

"Tara, look who's calling." I show her my phone and she laughs.

"Good ole Alexander. Answer it."

I roll my eyes, sliding the green button on my phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Ariana. How are you?"

"Fine. I'm at work, Alex."

"I know, I know. I just had to tell you that I'm in town for the next week. I was wondering if I could see Lilia?"

"You don't have to wonder, Alex. She's your daughter, too. When do you wanna come?"

"Whenever is best for you."

I look up at Tara and she mouths 'tonight'. Then I remember our almost planned 'girls night out'.

"Are you here now?"

"I will be in about 30 minutes."

"I have to stay a little late at work today, but you can come pick her up from the daycare and spend the rest of the day with her. You can have her tomorrow, too."

"That sounds good. I'll call or text you when I'm outside."

"Okay."

"I'll see you in a bit."

"Alright, bye." I hang up and put my phone back on my desk.

"Found a babysitter." I say.

"Great! Girls night out, here we come."

"I'll come to your house when I'm ready. Should we Uber?"

"Definitely. No drunk driving for us."

"We won't be that drunk, T. I'm not crazy. But, you're right. We can't risk it."

"I'm always right. So, how are you doing? Since Justin left?"

"I miss him, a lot. And I'm worried that he's gonna get hurt. He promised me he would stay safe, but that's not something he can fully control."

"I know, baby girl. Just stay strong. But, are you gonna tell Alex about him?"

"I don't know. I want to tell him, so he doesn't find out and get hurt, but I also know Justin's not my boyfriend-"

"Yet." Tara cuts me off and I laugh.

"Not my boyfriend yet, so what would I even tell Alex?"

"If you do decide to tell him, just let him know that you're starting to see someone else and that you wanted to tell him so he didn't find out himself. Just like you told me."

"You make it sound so easy." I sigh, sitting back in my chair.

"It is. He can't have a problem with it, it's not like you two are still together."

"Ms. Grande and Ms. Henson. Working hard?" We both look up to the door where our boss, Mr. Hill, was standing.

"Yes, Sir. Of course, why wouldn't we be working?" Tara answers.

"Mhm. Ladies, please get back to work. If I catch you having casual conversation in here again, there will be consequences." He walks away and we both start laughing.

"How many times is he gonna say that before there are actually 'consequences'?" I ask.

"A lot. He likes us too much for there to be 'consequences'."

Me and Tara continue our casual conversation before actually working on the project we were assigned.

3;56 pm

"I'll see you later. Call me when you're on the way?"

"Of course. Tell my baby I said hi on your way out."

"I will. Have fun for the next two hours."

"I'm gonna have a blast. You know I love work."

"I know you're a liar. Bye, Ariana." Tara shakes her head at me before leaving my office and closing the door behind her.

I continue working, until I finally get a phone call from Alex.

"Hello?"

"Hey, I'm here."

"You were supposed to be here like an hour ago."

"I know, I'm sorry. There was... traffic on the highway."

I get the feeling he's lying, but hey, whatever he's doing is none of my business and doesn't affect me or my daughter.

"Alright, I'm on the way down." I hang up, grabbing my keys before leaving my office.

I tell Mr. Hill where I'm going before taking the elevator to the first floor.

I find Alex waiting at the door of the daycare, talking to Caitlyn.

"Hey, Ari! He's ok to take her?"

"Yes, he's Lilia's father. But, I'll take her. You can go get her car seat out of my car and put it in yours."

I give Alex a hug then my keys and he goes outside while I get Lilia and her stuff.

"Thanks, Caitlyn. She won't be here tomorrow."

"Okay, thanks for telling me." I walk to Alex's car, or the car he was using and watch him put Lilia's car seat in.

Once he's finished, I give him Lilia and he puts her in the car seat along with her diaper bag in next to her.

"Hey, Ariana. Is everything going good?" Alex asks.

"Yes, we're doing okay down here. What about you?"

"Adjusting to living with my parents again is a little rough, but I'm good. Thanks for letting me take her."

"Alex, how many times do I have to remind you that she is your daughter too? I'm not trying to keep her from you or anything. If you want to see her, come see her."

"I know, it's just... nothing. But we're gonna have fun."

"Good. Where are you staying?"

"At a um... a hotel."

"Alright, well, if you want her to stay with you tonight, just stop by my apartment and get more diapers and some clothes. There's milk in the freezer and her formula is in the pantry. You still have your key, right?"

"Yeah, yeah I got it."

"Good, I'll see you tomorrow."

We stare at each other in awkward silence for a few seconds, then he leans in to kiss me. I back away, shaking my head.

"I.. sorry... you two have fun." I turn around and walk back into the building, leaving Alex standing next to his car, confused.