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Jack sleeps peacefully in the baby carrier as I work busily in the kitchen, Tess on speakerphone.
“Does heevercry?” Tess says as I chop vegetables for tonight’s dinner.
“He’s a night owl, that’s for sure. He’s an angel when the sun’s up, though.”
“Are you sure he’s not a vampire?”
We laugh together. I’ll never stop being grateful for being able to let my joy out so freely with no darkness attempting to drag it down.
“He’s so precious. I miss him already, and I only saw him a couple of days ago.”
“When you’re back from your trip, you better come straight here.”
Tess is away with her new boyfriend. Things are going well.
A few nights ago, she told me,“I’m feeling it, Layla. What you said you felt. That certainty. I know I want this man, but I can’t push too hard.”
It’s sweet I can support her and play the role she played for me in the beginning.
“At least he’s not your step-uncle,” I say.
“Well…”
“What is it?” I ask, proud that I can maintain my chopping rhythm as we continue the conversation.
“I haven’t told you this yet, but he used to be really good friends with my dad, likebestfriends. They had a falling out, and now I’m wondering what I will do. I didn’t mean it to be more than a fling.”
I lay the knife down. “Whoa, that’s a lot.”
“Yeah, so you’re right. He’s not my step-uncle, but there’s still some baggage.”
“Let me ask you this. Are yousurehe’s the one?”
“That’s the crazy part, Layla. I was sure the second I saw him. I’ve been trying not to think too deeply about it, but I can’t run from it anymore. I don’t know what to do.”
“I think you need to find out if he feels the same.”
“Really?”
“That’s what cinched it for us. Before I knew he wanted…”
I wave a hand, though she can’t see me taking in the entirety of our life—Jack, the house, all the photos on the walls, the yard with the pool, and lots of space for Jack and his future siblings to play. Of course, there’s also the restaurant-level kitchen which has helped hone my skills so much.
“A life together,” I go on, “everything was up in the air. Once I knew he wanted the same thing as me, everything fell into place.”
“But how do I find out without ruining everything? What if he doesn’t feel the same?”
I think carefully about this.
“Layla?”
“Sorry. I’m here. Honestly, I don’t know. With Miles and me, it just happened.”
“So, what you’re saying is, sleeping with your dad’s best friend ismorecomplicated than sleeping with your step-uncle?”
I grin. “I’m not sure I’dgothat far. See if you can get him talking about children and family. That was one of the best moments for Miles and me. We saw this family walking by on our way to our first date, and he just opened up. It was beautiful how passionate he was. It was perfect.”
Miles walks into the room wearing his work shirt, his powerful jaw covered in a light layer of silver dust.
