My stomach tightens. This is it. I didn’t think the moment of truth would come quite so soon, but I have to face it regardless. I have to stay strong and do what’s best for both of us. Even if it eats me up inside.

Taking a deep breath, I type back:

Agreed. You pick the place.

She replies with an address I’ve never been to, along with the time of nine p.m. tonight.

I nod. Neutral territory. Outside of work hours. Makes sense.

Now I just have to figure out what in the hell I’m going to say to her.

• • •

At Oliver’s insistence, my girls and I are having dinner at his and Jess’s apartment tonight. He thought I could use a night off from my apparent self-loathing. His words, not mine.

the door with a warm hug for each of my daughters and a bright smile for me. Maybe it’s too much to hope for, but I’m not sure she’s heard the news yet. I find it doubtful

but with a look of sympathy in her eyes. “It’ll

I have my answer. I nod, grumbling,

and pats my

kitchen where homemade macaroni and cheese is being prepared, along with a

I help?” I ask, surveying the countertops. There’s no sign of Oliver, but

gives her head a shake. “I’ve got everything under control. Figured you

of you,

den, setting up for a tea party I hear never got finished from the last time

once and scramble from

across the hardwood

then laughter, I smile for the first time all day and release

strolls into the kitchen and gives my hand a

home in the dark where I could sulk properly sounded pretty damn appealing. But then I’d just end

just about done. Oliver, pour some drinks, would ya, babe?” Jess says, giving

other room to check on the girls, I lean one hip

. . I don’t know .

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