Page 135 of The Statistically Unlikely Reunion

True to her word, Maya gets me in on that same day. She emails me a daunting amount of intake paperwork I resolve to do on the bus ride there.

It occurs to me that I can likely afford an Uber now.

Actually, I can probably afford a personal driver. But I’m used to the LA Metro.

I look up the schedules and decide I have just enough time to send one last email. My hands are almost shaking as I hit send. Abe will be shocked, and the other members of my committee will be very, very surprised given no one’s seen a single page of my dissertation. But at this point, I’ve edited enough dissertations to know mine is good.

It might not win dissertation of the year.

But it’s unquestionably good enough to graduate, which is all that matters.

I no longer have a reason to hide behind Abe Kleinberg. Or anyone, really. Meaning even if it’s terrifying, it’s the right thing to do.

ME: I just had my first therapy appointment.

Sag-A: Is it weird if I tell you I’m proud of you?

ME: I’m . . . almost proud of myself.

ME: And because I thought I’d be setting a good example for her, I told Aurora.

Sag-A: Scared to ask, but what did my not-favorite say?

ME: I can’t get the voice right here, so imagine 200% snark: Took you long enough.

ME: It loses something in translation, without the tone.

Sag-A: It’s okay, I’ve met Aurora. I heard the snark.

I could drag it out, could ask him about his day, but I’m done stalling.

ME: Do you want to come over tonight?

Sag-A: Took you long enough.

“I know I asked for a week, but in the interest of trying to be a better potential partner, we should probably start talking . . . now.”

Lucas sets his laptop to the side, angles his body toward mine on the couch.

“I’d like to figure out a way to gain custody of Harper and Wren.”

I wring my hands together, waiting for a reply that never comes. Lucas looks at me and nods once, as if I’ve just shared I’d like Thai for dinner.

“No response?”

“Not until I know what input you’re looking for.”

“Given my new financial situation, I think, or rather, Aurora and I both think⁠—”

“You can buy your mother out. Bribe her to take an extended vacation and sign over all parental rights.” Lucas clearly sees the surprise on my face. “It was part of your original dream, remember?”

“Right. It was a pipe dream then.” I take a deep breath. “If I end up with custody, and we are . . . together, you’d be an instant almost-stepdad to two preteens.”

Lucas nods. “Okay.”

“It’s a big deal.”

“All I’m hearing is that I get two mini Auroras. I’m not seeing the problem here. When we started dating, we had Leno, Levi, Aurora, and the two rugrats. Getting to focus on just Harper and Wren when we have the financial means and time to do so? Sounds like a dream.”