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When you come back.

How do I explain that coming back doesn’t mean what Aspen thinks it does?

“Maybe,” Courtney replies vaguely. “I’ll try to call again this weekend, Pen.”

There it is.

Try.

Aspen hears a promise.

I know better.

She launches into a detailed retelling of the Fall Festival, and before I can steer the conversation elsewhere, she mentions Blair.

“Miss Morgan came to the festival with us!” Aspen announces.

Courtney pauses, her smile faltering slightly. “Miss Morgan?”

“My teacher.” Aspen grins at the screen. “Daddy likes her.”

Courtney’s eyes flick toward me.

Fucking hell, Pen.

Aspen keeps talking, completely oblivious to the tension she’s created. A few minutes later, Courtney interrupts gently.

“I have to go now, baby, but I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Okay.” Aspen’s smile dims. “Love you, Mommy.”

“I love you too, Pen,” Courtney tells her.

I send Aspen to brush her teeth, waiting until she disappears down the hallway before picking up the phone.

“Are you seeing someone?” Courtney asks immediately.

“We’re having dinner Friday,” I tell her.

“Wow,” she says quietly.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Courtney looks away from the camera. “I just…you haven’t dated anyone since me.”

“It’s one dinner.”

She looks back at me. “Are you serious about her?”

“I don’t know yet,” I admit. “I like her.”

Courtney studies me for a moment. “Does Aspen like her?”

“She adores her.”

Her expression softens for the briefest second. “That’s good. I’m glad she has someone she feels comfortable with.”

The sincerity in her voice catches me off guard.