Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 221

Lawrence looked at him through the rearview mirror. "Why did you stop?"

Leo looked down, picking at his backpack straps.

"I haven't figured out what to draw yet."

Wren turned around. "There's no rush. Just draw whatever comes to mind."

The little boy nodded.

Lawrence reflexively chimed in, "You could draw the Langford Estate."

Silence fell over the car for a second.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake.

Leo didn't answer.

Wren looked out the window, her face completely unreadable.

Lawrence's grip on the steering wheel tightened.

It was just a casual suggestion.

But now, even a casual remark seemed to hit a nerve.

When they arrived at the school, Leo looked at Lawrence again before getting out.

"Are you picking me up this afternoon?"

Lawrence had a meeting scheduled.

This answer was on the tip of his tongue.

But seeing the expectation in the boy's eyes, he suddenly changed his mind. "I'll be there."

Leo smiled.

It was a brighter smile than the one he had that morning.

Wren didn't remind Lawrence of his busy schedule, nor did she make excuses for him like, "It's fine if you're too busy."

She just looked at him.

Her gaze was light, but it made him squirm.

It was as if she had filed that promise into some invisible ledger.

Not as a judgment.

But merely waiting for the facts to play out.

That morning, Lawrence headed to the office.

A ten-thirty meeting dragged on until noon. There were issues with the second phase of the rehab project. Jude Sinclair and the marketing department were at odds, and the patient salon feedback Willow Whitaker sent over at the last minute needed revisions.

His secretary gently reminded him, "Mr. Langford, the representatives from the NMDA will be here at three-thirty."

Lawrence checked the time. "Push it back."

The secretary hesitated. "Director Charles Clarke is already on his way."

Second, it was Wren.

He watched the screen light up but didn't answer.

Director Clarke was in the middle of a crucial point, and several executives were looking his way.

Lawrence flipped the phone face down.

In that split second, he knew exactly what he was doing.

He had pushed aside the one thing a little boy had been looking forward to all morning.

Just like always.

The meeting ended at four-twenty.

He picked up his phone. There were three missed calls.

And a single message from Wren.

"I picked up Leo."

Just four words.

Lawrence stared at the screen, a sudden wave of intense frustration washing over him.

He called Wren back.

The line connected almost immediately.