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.

for, but I’m not sure she’s heard the news yet. I find it doubtful that Oliver

says, still smiling at me, but with a look of

I have my answer. I nod, grumbling,

smiles sadly and

that, we make our way into the kitchen where homemade macaroni and cheese is

sign of Oliver, but he left right after we shared a drink in my office,

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

of you,

down at the girls. “Uncle Ollie is in the den, setting up for

both squeal at once and scramble

the hardwood floors as quickly

and then laughter, I smile for

Oliver strolls into the kitchen and gives

could sulk properly sounded pretty damn appealing. But then I’d just end up watching the news on repeat and

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

I lean one hip against the counter and watch as the

Oliver and Jess together, it’s . . . I don’t know . . .

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