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“So Raelynn, Ben tells me you’re in graduate school at Caltech,” Shelby says with a warm smile. “That’s really impressive. What are you studying?”
I flush. “Oh, it’s…well…I’m doing both computer programming and electrical engineering.”
Nina hums like she’s impressed.
“So will you try to go into work as a programmer after you graduate?” Shelby asks. “Develop your own apps and things?”
Ben reaches his arm across the back of my chair, and I appreciate his quiet show of support.
“I do write code, yes, but not for apps or anything that cool.” I tack on a self-deprecating laugh. “Right now, we’re working on perfecting a program for photographing objects in space that can’t be easily captured by standard methods: black holes, distant galaxies, that sort of thing.”
Shelby blinks, then blinks again, then shakes her head and laughs. “I’m sorry, I don’t really think I understood how smart you are. Ben warned us, but…”
The flush on my face ramps up until my cheeks are undoubtedly a bright shocking red.
Fortunately, Caleb saves me from continuing to be the center of attention by chucking a good bit of egg across the table. It lands with a splat in front of Nina’s plate.
“Caleb, food stays on our plates,” Shelby says sternly.
Caleb laughs maniacally, and the sound is so cute.
Ben chuckles, and Shelby glares. “He feeds off of you. If you laugh, he’ll think he’s supposed to throw food.”
Ben schools his face, trying to help the situation, but then Caleb starts wagging his finger the same way Shelby just was, and it’s no use—we all start laughing.
After breakfast, I help Nina clear the table while Shelby takes Caleb inside to clean him up and change clothes since he was still wearing the outfit stained with coffee.
“Breakfast was really good,” I tell Nina as we carry plates inside side by side.
She smiles. “I’m always happy to make anything you need while you’re here. I’ll try to keep lunches and dinners stocked in the fridge so you can just heat them up when you’re hungry since I know you’re busy with school.”
“Oh, I won’t…I mean, I’m not sure I’ll be here.”
She rests her hand on my forearm. “Just if you’re here, hun,” she amends with a warm smile.
“And thank you for these clothes, by the way. Ben mentioned you put in the order.”
She waves her hand as if it’s no big deal just as Ben arrives in the kitchen with the last of the dishes and sets them on the counter for Nina.
“I have to take a quick call with my manager,” he says, looking my way. “You’ll be okay?”
“Of course. I’ll just help Nina.”
He disappears down the hall, and I make sure the table outside is cleared and clean of any stray bits of egg. When I walk back inside, Caleb’s barreling into the kitchen dressed in a Spider-Man shirt and matching shorts. Shelby’s right behind him.
“Okay, Nina, I’m going to take off. Thanks again for breakfast.” Then she glances over in my direction. “Raelynn, want to walk me out so we can talk for a second?”
I glance quickly at Nina and she smiles, which gives me the courage to follow behind Ben’s ex-wife as we head down the main hall, back toward the front door.
She walks beside me quietly until we’re out of earshot of the others, then she turns and smiles. I’m sure she can sense how nervous I am. I’m practically sweating.
“Just so you know, I won’t make a habit of dropping in like this unannounced. It’s never been an issue before because Ben…well…he never has anyone over here.” She laughs.
“I don’t mind,” I rush to say, holding out my hand. “I mean, you all are family, and with Caleb involved, it gets complicated.”
She furrows her brows as she studies me as if trying to see something beneath the surface that I’m hiding. Surely she must realize I’m an open book. Everyone says I have the worst poker face on the planet.
“Right. Yes. Obviously, Caleb comes first, but…” She looks down the hall, back to where Caleb is playing in the living room. “There comes a point when it’s not healthy for Ben to focus solely on his son. He’s been so wrapped up in him since he was born, and I understand why, I’m the same way…but still, I have Mike.”
I nod, understanding.
She looks back to me, and there’s a kindness in her eyes I wasn’t expecting to see. “I know you and Ben were seeing each other when I came to Texas to tell him about Caleb, and I know the timing of everything was really shitty and I’m sorry for that.”
I can’t resist the urge to squeeze her hand. “Oh my god, no. Don’t apologize.”
Her eyebrows furrow. “Honestly, I feel partly responsible for what he’s gone through this last year, and I mean, I am responsible. I cheated on Ben. I left him for Mike and I have to carry that with me for the rest of my life, but I’ve tried really hard to forgive myself for those mistakes and I’m at peace with it now, especially because I have Caleb.” She shakes her head. “Sorry…I know I’m rambling, I just wanted to let you know I’m on Ben’s side, which means I’m on your side too. I want the best for him, and if you’re the person he’s chosen, that means we all choose you.”
