I saw the look in his eyes. I saw the pain and the despair.

He didn't want me to leave and I knew that. But I needed to. I can't be around him anymore.

He's to much for me to handle anymore.

"You okay?" Jordyn's voice brings me out of my trance.

I look up and see him walking towards me with his hands in his pockets. He had a sympathetic look on his face.

"I will be."

Jordyn nods his head before pulling his keys out of his pocket.

"Need a ride?"

I nod briefly as I walk next to him.

The silence is almost unbearable. I rub my arms trying to warm myself and distract my brain from thinking about Nick, and the look on his face. He looked defeated.

"I have an opening at my firm if you would be interested. It's pretty easy, answering phone calls and scheduling meetings. Pays well too."

I show him a small smile.

"Thanks for the offer. I'll think about it."

Another silence comes over us and it lasts until we get to his car.

He opens the passenger side door for me and I slide in, careful not to wrinkle my dress. He shuts the door once I'm fully in and walks around to the driver's side.

I give him my address as he starts the car.

I take my heels off and rub my feet and ankles as he starts driving.

"I'm sorry about dinner" I finally say.

He shrugs.

"It's not a big deal. We can just reschedule. Like how about tomorrow? My friend is having a birthday party at her house"

"Umm sure, can I bring someone with me?"

Jordyn gives me a quick side glance before answering.

"I don't see why not. I'll just tell her to buy extra beer" he says with a chuckle.

"Oh he won't be drinking."

Jordyn looks at me quizzically.

"My son. I'd like to give my sister a break from babysitting if it's alright. Do you think it'd be ok for me to bring him?"

His features soften slightly as he focuses back on the road.

"I think she would love that. Gigi loves kids."

I smile at the thought of Ollie being able to be in a crowd of people.

"I hope he behaves" I mumble

"Why wouldn't he? He's got a great role model"

My cheeks blush bright red.

"Yeah well he has some issues.... he can't function like a normal ten year old. He has autism, epilepsy, EPP, and adhd. So he's basically a four year old in a ten year olds body."

I don't know why I just told him that. He didn't need to know.

"Is he in school?"

"Opal and I homeschool him. It's a lot of work and he falls behind. He has so many doctors appointments and therapy sessions that he gets tired very easily and can't focus on his work enough."

"That's got to be rough"

I nod my head.

"Yeah it is. But he's worth it. I love that little guy with all my heart."

"Is his dad around?"

My body tenses and my stomach churns. Patrick still shouldn't have this effect on me. He's in jail.

"I only ask because you don't have a ring on and you agreed to go on a date with me, but also you said you didn't have a lot of money. So does he not pay for child support?"

The tears that threaten to spill sting my eyes, but I force them down. I take a deep breath to steady myself before I respond.

"His father is in jail." I let out in a shaky breath.

"Oh I'm so sorry Hazel"

I look out the window and try to get my mind to focus on the trees and houses passing by.

"I shouldn't have asked, I'm sorry I was being so nosy. It isn't my business." he says after a few moments.

"It's okay. I need to tell someone. I feel guilty. And ashamed of myself for not telling anyone."

"Why?" Jordyn asks with furrowed eyebrows.

"Because I feel like I'm treating him like a secret. But I'm not. I love him to death, but it's so hard sometimes."

"I get that. He knows you love him Hazel. And you're not treating him like a secret. You're protecting him."

A year slides down my cheek but I quickly wipe it away.

"Tell me about him. What's his name?"

I'm surprised by his inquisition of my son. But I can't help but talk about him.

"His name is Oliver. He's ten years old. He loves watching Clifford the big red dog. And he loves to color. His favorite animals is dogs and dinosaurs. He wants a dog so bad, we all do. His favorite movie believe it or not is Zootopia. He loves to sing and dance and be a goofball but he's really shy. He tends to have episodes when he's in public so I don't bring him out much"

"He sounds like a great kid."

"He is. He's what keeps me going on the dark days."

Jordyn smiles at me and grabs my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Before long we're pulled up to my house.

"Thank you for the ride. I'm sorry I ruined the night" I tell him as I collect my things.

"You didn't ruin it. Those get really boring, but having you there made it fun. You lit up the room and looked amazing doing it." He says with a smile.

I get out of the car and shut the door behind me after smiling at him. I start to walk towards the front door of my house when his voice calls out to me.

"Hazel?"

I turn around and see his head ducked and the window rolled down.

"Do you want to come tomorrow?"

A smile creeps onto my face.

"I'd love too."

"Great. I'll be here at five to pick you up. And bring Oliver. I can't wait to meet him."

I smile at him.

"Goodnight Jordyn."

"Goodnight Hazel"

I turn on my heel and walk up the steps to the front porch. I unlock the door and step inside after waving goodbye to Jordyn.

I hear him drive away as I shut the door.

I lean against the door and bite my bottom lip trying to stop the smiling from forming.

I'm actually smiling.

I haven't been happy in a long time.

I feel so free and powerful.

I lose the battle and a huge smile breaks across my face.

And it feels so good.