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I don’t know why, but it irks me that she’s once again concerned about the status of my and Hannah’s relationship. I already told her there’s nothing to worry about.
“Theo’s never known us as a couple. We tried to give it a go when she found out she was pregnant but realized it wasn’t going to work shortly after Theo was born, so he’s only ever known us apart.” I tear my gaze away from her and to the view.
“That upsets you.”
I turn to look back at her. “Not in the way you might think. I grew up without a mom until I was around Theo’s age, so I remember what that was like. He has a mom, of course, and she’s a great one, but I always swore I wanted to give my kid a nuclear family. I wanted him to grow up in a household with a mom and a dad, but it is what it is.” I shrug. “I wouldn’t change anything if it meant not having him in my life.”
“Makes sense.” She nods slowly before taking a sip of her wine.
“I still want that for him. For me.” I meet her gaze, but this time it’s her who dodges eye contact and uses the view as an excuse to look away.
“He really misses his mom.”
I frown. “Yeah, I know. It’s great that he video chats with her all the time, but it’s not the same.”
“He keeps asking me how many days it is until she comes home.”
I’ve noticed the longer Hannah’s been gone, the more Theo asks about her returning. I thought it would be easier as time went on, but it’s becoming harder.
I clear my throat to change the subject. “Speaking of Theo, I need to get on planning his sixth birthday party. It’s coming up in a few weeks. Usually Hannah does most of that stuff, but with her gone, I need to take care of it.”
She turns to look at me, eyes brimming with excitement. “I’m happy to help.”
I shake my head. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
Her head tilts. “Brady, I want to. He’s an amazing kid. It’s no trouble.”
I eye her skeptically. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely! I can grab the decorations and order a cake. Is there a theme you had in mind?”
We both laugh and say at the same time, “Lego.”
I could kiss her for offering to help me. I could probably muddle my way through, but Theo’s party will be in better hands with Violet at the helm rather than me.
“You take care of the guest list and I’ll handle the rest. How does that sound?”
“Like you’re an angel.” I push the hand not holding the wineglass into her hair, pulling her toward me until our lips meet. When my tongue brushes against hers, I sigh in relief. It hasn’t been that long, but it feels as if it’s been ages since I’ve tasted her. Then my phone dings on the table, and I groan and pull away. “I just want to make sure that’s not Theo leaving his room.”
Since this house is so big, I have an app that alerts me if his bedroom door opens after I’ve put him to bed for the night.
“It’s just Miles ranting—again.” I set the phone back down with a shake of my head.
“Everything okay?” She sips her wine.
“Yeah, the guys and I have spent the entire week trying to convince him not to fly east and beat the shit out of his sister’s ex-fiancé. Did Twyla tell you what happened when you met her this weekend?”
“Yeah, she did.”
Something in her voice catches my attention. I tilt my head. “The guy is clearly a loser. Miles never liked him.”
She nods and looks at the lights that sparkle below.
“What is it?” I take her hand that’s not holding her wineglass.
Violet sighs. “Just brings back memories, that’s all.”
“Of Saturday?” My forehead wrinkles.
