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“Oh, yeah. How were you making her feel like she mattered? What’s different? How many times have you taken her out?”
“I—”
“And you aren’t allowed to count the time she came here spying on you.”
Hanging my head, I accept defeat. I’d been excited to say three, conveniently leaving out that one was a coffee date and the other the night she came here.I am ridiculous.
Leaning forward, I let out a heavy exhale.
“C’mon, bro. Stop beating yourself up. It’s hard to change a routine you’ve adopted for ten to fifteen years. But it’s not too late. If you really love this girl.” Max says.
“Max is right. Create new habits. Set some boundaries,” Dev encourages.
“Join a yoga class and start meditating on what you want,” Becket adds. Our heads all spin in his direction. “What? I’m a flexible, zen motherfucker.”
“He’s right. Focus on you and your girls. And I bet the universe will give you another chance,” Devon says.
Running my hand through my hair, I try to hold onto their votes of confidence.
Derek slaps me on the back. “I think this could be the best thing that ever happened to you.”
I toss him a glare.
“Honestly, Broadie. You’ve worked your whole life healing other people. It’s time you focused on yourself. It’s not going to be easy. But once you’ve embraced a balanced life, and the people you care about know where they stand, that’s when you’ll really feel like a rich man.”
* * *
“Dad!” Lauren waves from the table in the corner.
I walk in their direction, finding smiles on Lilly, Lauren, and Camile’s faces. I wasn’t expecting to see my ex here. “Hey, girls. You look good. Thanks for inviting me to dinner.”
Lilly pats the chair next to hers, and I give her and Lauren kisses on the cheek before settling in.
“You’re on time,” Lauren announces.
“I told you I’m working on that.”
“So, what’ve you been up to, Broadie? It feels like forever since I’ve seen you.” Camile leans in and gives me a peck on the cheek.
“That’s a hard question to answer.”
All three of them give me curious glances in response to my statement. “I’m finally trying to change my life. So, I’d like to say I’ve been up to a lot less.” I chuckle.
Lilly grabs my hand, giving me a proud smile. “You’ve got this, Dad.”This kid.
“Who is she?”
“What?”
“She must be some woman to finally have you going to such lengths,” Camile says. But her tone isn’t snide. She seems happy for me.
My daughters seem to almost bounce in their seats, their expressions hopeful.
“I’m not seeing anyone,” I announce.
All of a sudden, a flash of blue darts past me. I quickly turn to see Poppy rushing from Luigi’s, a young, dark-haired male rushing after her.
What the fuck?
