Page 78 of You Fall First

I offer him a clenched-teeth smile. “It’s just Jo now.”

“Suits you.” He arranges his face into a look I can only describe as smarmy. How on earth did I think I could be this man’s wife? That he would be the father of my children? “Jo, this is Amelia.” He nods across the table.

“Yes, I know,” I chirp at her. “I’ve totally stalked you on Instagram.”

Might as well be upfront about it.

I stick my ringless hand directly in her face, daring her to shake it. I’m hoping she’ll be awkward and nervous and maybe a little embarrassed. But she simply smiles at me sweetly. “I’m glad to finally meet you in person.”

She’s nice. Dang.

My brain slips back to Oliver’s protests the day I saw their texts.

Protecting Amelia was what mattered to him.

She did nothing wrong.

We did nothing wrong.

I can’t help that I fell in love with her.

Or that I’m not in love with you.

A stretch of silence follows now, and the three of us shoot glances at each other. Then Dutton barrels into me from behind.

“Miss Jo! Can I have a gumball? Pleeeeeease?”

Oliver’s brows rocket up his forehead. “Who’s this?”

I put a hand on Dutton’s head. “Buzz Lightyear, obviously.”

“Sure.” Oliver frowns. “But who is he?”

I keep my voice steady. “He belongs to a friend.”

“Hmm.” Oliver purses his lips. “I don’t remember any of your friends having kids.”

“Yes, well.” I tip my chin. “A lot’s changed. For both of us.”

Dutton tugs on my shirt. “Pleeeease?”

I grin down at him, like he’s the best thing that happened to the world since sliced bread. “I don’t have quarters for the machine,” I say. “But we’ll get change when we get our donuts.”

“I have a quarter,” Amelia chimes in, digging in her bag. She pulls out the most adorable little coin purse with ladybugs on it.

Man, I used to like ladybugs.

She fishes out a quarter, then her eyes snap up to mine. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Jo. I should have asked you first.”

Yes, yes, you should’ve, I think.

“It’s no problem,” I gush. “What do you say to the nice lady, Dutton?”

“Buzz!” he shouts.

“Right.” I clear my throat. “What do you say to Miss Amelia, Buzz?”

“Thank you!” He scampers off to get his gumball.