“I do.She’s just …”
“She’s your world.It’s been just the two of you for a long time.I get it.It’s scary.”
Exhaling, I allowed my shoulders to slip away from my ears.“Really scary.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you need to give your kid a bit more credit.She’s incredibly bright—as you already know—but also mature.She’s got a really good head on her shoulders.You’ve done a wonderful job.If we don’t work out, she’ll be okay.Because she has you.And you’re rock solid.”
I refrained from bringing up the fact that Mabel’s cause for panic was that she wasn’t sure of my permanency because of her mother.That while I was rock solid in that I wouldn’t voluntarily abandon her, sometimes life had a twisted sense of humor and liked to fuck things up for absolutely no reason.
Also, I really didn’t like the fact that she just brought up the possibility of us not working out.Was she already thinking about the end?Did our relationship have an expiration date in Naomi’s eyes?
“Are we good?”she finally asked, worry making her voice shake.“Or do you want to take a break?”
“No.”I shook my head.“No break.I just need to talk to my kid.Maybe she needs to increase her counseling appointments for a bit.”
“Maybe she also needs some friends?”
Another humorless laugh launched itself from my chest.“Good luck with that one.”
“Just casually mention it to her and see what she says.”Her fingers continued to twist in front of her, almost like she were having to keep herself from reaching for me.I kept my hands firmly planted in my pockets so I didn’t accidentally do the same.While I wanted nothing more to touch her, things between us right now were weird.
“I’ll call you,” I said after a moment of awkward silence passed between us.
She nibbled on her plump bottom lip and nodded before whispering out, “Okay.”
I reached for the handle of the door and yanked it open.“Thank you again.”
She swallowed hard and stepped back.“Anytime.”
Then I climbed in behind the wheel and started the engine, giving her a cursory wave and a closed-mouth smile as we backed out.
I watched her in the rearview mirror more than I watched the driveway and road ahead of me.It wasn’t until we turned off the property and she was out of sight that I allowed myself to exhale.
“I like Naomi,” Mabel said, out of the blue and before we even reached the stop sign at the end of the road.“I like all the women.But since the other three are in relationships, you can’t date them.Naomi is a good choice though.She’s nice.And has great snacks.”
“How did she handle your panic attack?”
“Just like you would have.Calm voice.Reminded me to breathe.Got me a weighted blanket.Talked me down when I couldn’t think.Raina talked me through my senses like you do.”
“You felt safe?”
Mabel faced me.“I felt very safe with her, Dad.With all of them.”Her fair brows narrowed.“You’re not thinking of breaking up with her, are you?”
I shook my head.“No.I like her too.”
“Good.She’s good for you.And for me.And we already know she’s a good mom.”
Whoa.
“I think you should go on more dates with her.”
“Uh …”
“Do you have friends now?Are Jagger, Tom, and Maverick your friends?”
“I think so?”
“Good.You need friends.”
