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“Absolutely not.”
“Let me finish.”
“Your what? Sentence? Dinner? Whatever Powerpoint presentation you’ve set up with the pseudo-librarians at the bookstore in town?”
“Damn it.” Ivy slapped the table. “Of course. I should have enlisted Holley on this.”
“Ivy, if you’re telling me that you’re here just to talk me into dating, you’re a sick woman for pretending your daughter is unwell.”
“Oh, she’s got a stomach thing. Kai was covered in vomit before I’d even walked out the door. I pretended not to notice.” Her eyes glittered. “I’d feel guilty, but nobody else was cooking for me tonight, so.” She shrugged and shoved a forkful of pasta in her mouth.
“Ivy Connors,” I said slowly. “Are you telling me you abandoned your husband and baby daughter just for my pasta?”
“Damn straight,” she replied with her mouth still full.
I laughed.
When she was done chewing, she set down her fork and picked up her glass. “Look. I love my daughter. I love my husband. I love everything we’re building, but sometimes I miss being Ivy. Kai is working on Seb’s new building and they’re all working long hours across all the building sites because they’re short-staffed. We’re talking thirteen hours a day if he’s lucky, Tori. With Tegan being sick, I have no time to myself because she won’t let me put her down. I did the world’s fastest pee this morning because she screamed the instant I was no longer touching her.”
“Aren’t they breaking like a thousand labor laws there?”
“Motherhood breaks them every day,” she said dryly. “I don’t know. I just know that if I didn’t get out of the house tonight, I’d have a breakdown and my tears would put Tegan’s to shame.” She stilled, staring at the plate, then looked up at me. “That sounds horrible, doesn’t it? My baby is sick and I’m here, bitching about it, instead of looking after her.”
“No.”
“I have to go.”
“Sit your ass back down!”
She immediately sat back down.
That was easier than I thought.
“Ivy, listen to me. You’re not superwoman. You’re a human being. You’re allowed to get overwhelmed and stressed out and frustrated, okay?” I reached over and squeezed her hand. “You are not a terrible mother. You’re the farthest thing from being a terrible mom. The fact you recognize that you’re at your breaking point and need a break makes you an incredible mom.”
“But I—”
“Know that your stress level is too high to be one hundred percent focused on Tegan right now,” I finished before she could. “And that’s okay. That’s okay, Ivy. You’re no good to her if you’re crying in the bathroom when she needs you or if you’re too overwhelmed and exhausted to remember the last time you changed her diaper or gave her medicine.”
She blinked at me. “But I should be there.”
“Why? Because you’re her mom? Like her dad can’t do a good enough job?” I raised my eyebrows. “That man loves her to absolute pieces, and there’s nobody else in this world she needs right now other than him. You need to take a break, and as long as she has one of her parents, she’s fine.”
“But he’s so tired, and—”
“You’re tired! You’re tired, you’re stressed, you’re overwhelmed, and you need a break. While I’m sure Kai has been working his ass off, I know you’re the one who’s been up all night and all day. You just admitted you can’t even pee in peace, Ives. That’s not normal.” I took a moment. “Do you want to pee in peace? Do you want a shower? You can use mine. How about a nap? I don’t care. Take my bed.”
Her throat bobbed, and before she could say anything, her eyes filled with tears. “You’re the first person who’s asked me if I want a shower.”
I couldn’t help it.
I giggled. “Seriously?”
Ivy laughed, clasping her hand over her mouth. “Yes. Oh, God, I feel so stupid.”
“Hey.” I got up and walked to her, wrapping my arms around her so she rested her head on my shoulder. “You’re not stupid. You’re just a mom. You’re allowed to feel like this. Why don’t you go take a shower, and when you’re done, I’ll reheat this pasta and you can eat it in my pajamas? I’ll text Kai and tell him you’re staying here tonight.”
“I can’t stay all—”
“I am not arguing with you, Ivy,” I said firmly. “You need a break, and so you’re getting one. Do you hear me?”
She nodded slowly. “Okay.”
“Great. You know where the towels are. Off you go.”
Ivy got up and headed for the bathroom, then stopped and looked back at me. “What if he’s mad at me?”
I looked her in the eye and said, “In the unlikely event he’s mad at you for looking after yourself, I’m going to drive over there and beat his fucking ass down. Got it?”
Her lips pulled to one side. “Okay.”
