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I follow him, and when I draw level, I embrace him in a hug. “I’m happy for you.”
He tenses. This being the first form of physical affection I’ve given him since… well, before the separation, but then he wraps his arms around my back in a friendly hug. “Thank you, Andi. I’m sorry I wasn’t enough for you. I hope you find happiness with someone too.”
“Thanks.” I whisper, and pull away.
We leave my bedroom, and there are high hopes bubbling in my chest at the thought of forming a relationship with Lisa. The last thing I want is less time with Charlotte.
Haley texts me she’s dropped off Charlotte at Matt’s, and is headed back to my house before her new shift at the hospital. I receive her message just as I pull up to the restaurant in the city where Lisa has agreed to meet me.
Since Charlotte arrived home on Sunday, she’s been glued to Haley. She cried when she learned Haley couldn’t spend the night at her dad’s with her, and she called him, begging for a sleepover with Haley.
He, of course, didn’t give in. I don’t think Lisa would be happy about that. I shake my head, laughing at the thought as I turn off my car.
It’s been five days since Dom showed up at Mac’s, and I keep forcing myself to push away the feelings that come up whenever I think about him. And I’ve been thinking about him a lot. I thought I could keep it together after we hooked up, but I’ve just found myself wanting him more and more.
I shake my head free of the thoughts, and step out of the car. Lisa texted me a few minutes ago, letting me know she’s been seated already, so I hurry inside the restaurant before she has to wait too long.
The hostess directs me to a table at the back. A blonde woman is sitting with her phone. “Hi. Sorry I’m a bit late. I always forget how crazy the traffic is in the city.”
Lisa looks up from her phone and flashes me a smile that doesn’t quite meet her eyes. I can tell that she’s younger than me, but that means nothing, considering I’ve been in a relationship with a man older than me. I make a mental note to figure out exactly how old she is. My guess is twenty-one. “No worries, I haven’t been waiting long. I ordered you a glass of wine and some spinach dip. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. That was very nice of you, thanks.” I drape my purse around the back of my chair, then pull my phone from my pocket. Matt texted me a picture of Charlotte covered in flour in his kitchen and I laugh, and point the screen towards Lisa. “Matt is teaching Charlotte to bake, it seems.”
Lisa pretends to be interested, only glancing for a second before saying, “He texts you a lot?”
“Just about our daughter. Is that okay?” The vibe coming from this girl isn’t a good one. I’m not a fan, and it breaks my heart already.
“Of course. If it’s about Charlotte.” She puts down her wine. The waiter brings me mine, as well as a glass of water. I politely say thanks and turn my attention back to the woman in front of me.
“I find it weird that you send pictures when the other one has her.”
“Why?”
“It’s just weird.” She repeats and shrugs.
“I’m sure Matt feels the same way when I say that being away from her is extremely hard. It helps to have the updates and pictures.”
“I’m sure. I don’t have children, so I wouldn’t know.”
“So, how was your bowling trip with Charlotte?” I ask. I need to know what she feels about my daughter. I have to keep reminding myself that the only thing that matters is Charlotte. If Charlotte is happy, if this woman loves her, then our differences don’t matter. It’s selfish of me to think I can get along with everyone, and it’s even more selfish of me to think that I can have a sister wives’ relationship with my ex-husband’s new woman. That honestly isn’t even what I want. I just want to see Charlotte as often as possible. Sunday brunches included. I know it’s a fantasy, and I’m asking too much, but I don’t think it’s too much to expect Lisa to be nice to me.
I don’t get a say in who makes Matt happy. I don’t get to ruin his life even more. I ended our marriage, and I have to come to terms with the outcome.
The waiter brings us the appetizer, and suddenly, I’m not hungry. I don’t order an entrée, and when he disappears again, Lisa dives into the dip.
“Charlotte is the sweetest girl,” Lisa finally says. “It’s amazing how you both have dark hair and she has light. What are the odds?”
Is she really insinuating that my daughter isn’t Matt’s? This girl is fucking bold. “My dad had blond hair. Have you met Jones yet? Matthew’s grandfather. Well, he’s all gray now, but he was once fair.
“Stranger things have happened. Personally, I think she’s her daddy’s twin. Same mischievous eyes, stubborn personality.” I stop, because I could go on for days comparing my daughter to her father, and I don’t want Lisa to think I still want him. Especially when she’s giving off a strange mood towards me.
“I agreed to this because it’s what Matthew wants. Charlotte’s happiness makes Matthew happy. I have no interest in developing a relationship with you, Andrea. I don’t plan to come to these stupid Sunday brunches either. I’ll come to them for now, but I promise you, the second he puts a ring on my finger, they’ll stop. My family comes before yours, you get it?”
Oh, I get it. I stifle a chuckle as anger bubbles in my chest. I have to force myself not to grab this girl by her hair. If I react, she wins.
“There is no my family and your family, Lisa. We are a blended family. My family is your family, and Charlotte is the priority. Do you understand that?”
“I understand that you’re a control freak who still keeps a tight leash on your ex-husband. That will change with me in the picture.”
