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He was treating this whole situation in his usual carefree frat boy manner. Seven years and nothing had changed. Just going with the flow and merging the kids with the way he did things instead of doing things the way Ben and Lauren would have wanted. He’d be teaching the kids poker and how to pop the tops off beer bottles next.
It wasn’t even a contest—I was the one who should have full guardianship of Annalise and Benny. And in order to keep my job, I’d need to move them to New York. I didn’t want to upset their routines by doing it now, but I knew it was what the future held.
“I’m hitting the shower,” Wes said, getting up from the table and setting his cereal bowl on the kitchen counter, spoon still inside.
Great. So I’d be the one changing Benny’s diaper. Wes could have at least offered his help. I’d take care of anything for the kids without objection, but that bowl and spoon would still be sitting on the counter when Wes returned in four days. There wasn’t a chance in hell I was cleaning up after him.
Nina Laughlin laughed from the other end of the phone.
“Are you sure about that? Getting groceries is enough of a chore without a three-year-old and an infant in tow. Why don’t you let me come over and watch them so you can take a break? Well, as much of a break as you’ll get while grocery shopping.”
“I appreciate it, really, but Benny and I are already packed and on the way. We’re picking Annalise up from preschool and then going to get groceries.”
Nina had traded cell numbers with me after the news hit that Wes and I were getting custody of the kids, telling me I could call her anytime, day or night, for anything at all. She called me daily to check in, and so far, she was my first adult conversation of the day.
Well, I guess there’d been the one with Wes this morning, but he was only about three-quarters of an adult.
“Did they tell you how the pickup line at the preschool works?” she asked. “You don’t have to go inside and sign her out. Just stay in the car and enter the line through the circular drive-through and they’ll walk her out for you.”
“No, I didn’t know that, but thanks. That’ll help because Benny’s about to fall asleep.”
I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw his round cheeks and tuft of dark hair reflected in the mirror Lauren had attached to end of Benny’s rear-facing car seat. Genius.
“It sucks dragging a baby carrier into the school so you can pick up another kid, especially in the cold,” Nina said.
She and her husband Drew had two kids who were eight and ten. It was great to have help from an experienced mom, and even better, one who had been a good friend of Lauren’s.
“I did that this morning, and it did suck,” I said, laughing. “Annalise is the snacker today and I bought fancy cupcakes from a bakery. I was worried she couldn’t handle her backpack and the cupcakes so I carried them in.”
Nina gave a little hum of concern. “Shoot, I should have told you the school doesn’t allow any baked goods unless they’re certified free of tree nuts and peanuts.”
“Oh shit, really?” I cringed as I realized what I said and apologized. “Sorry, language.”
She laughed. “Don’t you worry about a thing. My husband has the mouth of a sailor, and I usually do, too. I was trying to keep it in check because I didn’t know how you felt about it.”
I felt slightly chastised. I’d just gotten onto Wes this morning for something I did myself. But I would definitely say it was different to swear around a baby, who couldn’t understand what I was saying. At least, I hoped so.
“I’m going to have to learn to watch my language in front of the kids,” I told Nina.
“Well, you’re doing your best, so go easy on yourself. The school keeps extra snacks on hand in case someone forgets to bring something in, so don’t worry about that.”
“That’s good, but Annalise was really excited about those Baby Yoda cupcakes.”
“You guys will be able to take them home, though. Why don’t I bring over dinner and a bottle of wine tonight? Cupcakes and a glass of wine can be our dessert. And if you need to take a shower or anything, I can mind the kids.”
I smiled. “That sounds really nice, thank you.”
“No problem. And are you sure you want to take the kiddos to the store? You’re welcome to bring them over to my house.”
“Nah, I’ve got it. I get groceries all the time. How hard can it be to bring them with me and have them ride in the cart?”
