She called Jack to figure out a plan, horrified when she burst into tears. He promised to give her a week to make things right. But first she had to make things right in her personal life.
She walked downstairs to find Frank sprawled out on the couch as if he lived there, remote in hand, watching the baseball highlights. As though he hadn’t obliterated her world once again. Only this was worse than losing the bakery and her marriage—this was like losing a piece of herself.
One of the best pieces of herself.
“Go pack your bags and get yourself a hotel room.”
He sat up, looking baffled. “What about the birthday party?”
“Talk to your lawyer.”
“Since when do we need a lawyer?” He paused, clearly thinking of a new strategy, then flashed the boyish smile that had once stolen her heart. Only, her heart wasn’t available to be stolen. It was already taken. “This is me, TJ.”
“It’s Bianchi now. I changed it back.”
He looked horrified and heartbroken. “When?”
“When you were supposed to be in rehab. I filed for a name change the same day as I filed for divorce.”
“I need a drink.”
She snatched an unopened beer—Colin’s beer—away. “You need to listen. The girls and I need space to heal, to find our footing, and continue to grow as a new family.”
“We’re a family. You, me, and the girls.”
“You and me, we are co-parents.” She sat down next to him. “You and the girls are family.” She softened her voice and placed a comforting hand on his knee. “You are always going to be my kids’ father. Always. And I will always love you. But you’re not good for any of us. Not like this. You need to get your shit together, get a job, your own place, and clean up your messes. I’m done taking care of you. It’s long past time I took care of myself. I came to Pacific Cove for a fresh start, to tap into a part of myself I’d lost. I’m making a new life for myself and the girls, and you aren’t a part of it.”
“Is he?” Frank asked. His tone said he was close to crying.
“I hope so.” God, she hoped so. “Colin makes me better, and I treated him horribly tonight. That’s on me. The debt, that’s on you and you’re going to do whatever it takes to remove it from my name.”
“Teagan Rose Bianchi,” he clarified.
“Teagan Rose Bianchi,” she agreed softly. “And so help me God, Frank, if you screw this up, you will never set foot in this town again. Understood?”
“Understood.”
Her newfound backbone had him looking a little shell-shocked. Which was good. He needed his world to be shaken if he was going to change. And his kids deserved a father who put them first. She was no longer willing to meet him halfway. Oh no, he needed to rise to become the kind of co-parent she’d become.
The kind of dad she’d witnessed in Colin.
He covered her hand. “I never meant to ruin things between you and Dr. Dolittle.”
She laughed. “Yes, you did.”
“Okay, I did. But not if it means making you cry.”
“I know. But you still need to go pack.” When he didn’t move, she gave him a little shove. “Now. And when you pick the girls up tomorrow and take them to their favorite place for waffles, you will explain the situation. And whatever you tell them it will be honest, age-appropriate, and reassuring. There will be no blame, no bad guy, just you reassuring them that no matter where you live, you will always be there for them and put them first.”
Frank squeezed her hand. “I know I have a long way to go to earn back my place in their lives, and your trust, but I’m going to.”
“I hope so, because we have amazing kids.”
“They have an amazing mom.” They stood and he brushed a sweet kiss on her cheek. “Who I hope will steer me right when my GPS goes wonky.”
“I happen to have an excellent internal GPS.” And it was pointing to the sweet, supportive, and sexy man next door whose love she had to earn back. Frank wasn’t the only one who needed to right some wrongs.
“That’s good because I’m blanking. Where’s the girls’ favorite waffle place?”
