“Oh no, I volunteered, but every day off, it’s him and Ellis time. He doesn’t want me to do anything.” She sips her drink. “I’m not complaining.”
“I don’t either. Hayes does the same.”
They look at one another like, aren’t we lucky, we found these gorgeous men who love us and our kids, and we’re living out our happily-ever-afters.
“I wonder what it would be like to wake up and not have to get Hazel ready for school by myself.” The words come out before I can stop them.
They both give me that look—the pitying one. Which is why I usually don’t tell anyone my feelings about being a single parent.
“Let’s talk some more about Decker’s move,” Leighton says with a grin.
“Decker’s here!” Monroe says to Hazel inside the bouncy house. “Let’s go!”
They scurry out, and Easton peeks his head out. “You’re leaving the fun uncle?” He lets his head hang down. “I could use a breather though.”
He slides out, puts his shoes back on, and shouts at Lincoln to throw him the ball. Which of course Lincoln does because he loves Easton.
“That guy is like the Energizer Bunny, I swear,” Callie says.
“Truth.” Leighton nods.
Foster lasts about fifteen minutes watching the guys turn a game of catch into two teams trying to play keep-away from each other.
Callie must notice something on Foster’s face because she reaches into the carrier and takes Ellis. “Go play with your friends.”
He smiles and kisses Ellis on the cheek. “This doesn’t mean Daddy doesn’t love you the mostest,” he says to his baby girl. “Thanks, Mommy.” He kisses Callie, lingering a little longer than is probably appropriate in public.
“Mommy? Is that some sort of role play?” I chuckle.
“No,” Callie deadpans and holds Ellis out, but Leighton takes her.
“I’ve got this shift.” Then Leighton walks away, bouncing the baby in her arms.
Callie and I smile at one another.
Hazel and Monroe are all over Decker, tugging on separate arms.
“You seem to like the view,” Callie says softly.
I shake my head.
“One day I hope you’ll tell me about your past with Decker.”
I turn to her. “I thought you knew… I mean…”
She entwines her arm through mine. “Foster told me his version. And it’s okay, I’m okay with whatever happened. I had a life before Foster too. But there’s always another side of the story. And from what little he told me, and from the tension I feel when you and Decker are both in the same room, I’d say your story is unfinished.”
I shake my head. “It was over a long time ago. It’s just hard being around him again.”
“Especially when your daughter is so enamored with him.”
That’s a problem, but I don’t say anything. I just nod because it’s true.
“She’s worse than Hazel!” Monroe screeches.
Decker’s gaze lifts to find me as Monroe pleads her case, whatever it is, and Hazel stands next to her, biting her lip.
I don’t even want to know what those two are up to.
