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.

at 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 that Oliver didn’t tell her—they’re as thick

me, but with a look

my answer. I nod, grumbling,

sadly and

macaroni and cheese is being prepared, along

There’s no sign of Oliver, but he left right

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

you, thank

up for a tea party I hear never got finished

Emilia both squeal at once and scramble from

watch them go, their feet clapping across the hardwood floors as quickly as

room, and then laughter, I smile for the

Oliver strolls into the kitchen and gives my

He knows me well. I almost didn’t. Hiding out at home in the dark where I could sulk properly sounded pretty damn appealing. But then I’d just end up watching the news on repeat and feeling even more miserable and helpless than I

would ya, babe?” Jess says, giving the

other room to check on the girls, I lean one hip against the counter and watch as the final dinner preparations are

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

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