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Hope
Minty’s gaze flitted over my face. “Is something wrong?”
“Not wrong, no,” I hedged, taking my usual seat at the table. “I’ve been offered a promotion,” I informed her. “And it might come with some changes…minor ones…and some big ones, too…travel…” I stammered, coming to a stop when Minty’s cool palm came to rest over my tightly folded hands on the table.
“Congratulations, Hope,” she said, smiling into my eyes. “You worked hard for this!”
My lungs deflated. My spine released. My shoulders relaxed. “Yes!” I agreed with relief. “I need to talk to Lucky about our current custody arrangement.”
“Of course,” she murmured with a smile, peeking into the box of donuts. “What did you bring me?”
Lucky’s laughter and Brayleigh’s squeals filtered in from the other room. Minty and I grinned at each other as we indulged in the sugary treats.
Lucky loped into the kitchen and stuck his hand into the box of donuts. “Hey, Hopeless,” he teased. “What’s up?”
I decided to dive right in. “I’ve been offered a promotion.”
His dear face lit like a beacon. “Hope!” he exclaimed. “That’s awesome!” Leaning over, he gave me a brief hug. “I’m so proud of you. What will you be doing?”
“Taking over for Maeve.”
His eyes bugged out. “Fuck me. That’s a huge promotion!”
“It is,” I agreed, pressing my lips together and gathering my courage for the next part. “There’s a lot of travel required. It’ll mean making some changes where Brayleigh is concerned…”
Minty rose, and Lucky interrupted me to ask her where she was going.
She twisted back to give him a reassuring smile. “I’ll go watch Dolly and give you guys some privacy to talk about this.”
“You should stay,” Lucky objected. “This affects you, too.”
Minty shook her head firmly. “First, you and Hope need to discuss. Then you can bring me into it.”
Lucky opened his mouth to further object but Minty cut him off. “I insist.”
During their brief exchange, waves of revelations washed over me too quickly to fully process.
Lucky looked at me and shrugged, his face as open and friendly as usual. “Talk to me.”
I fiddled with the lid of my disposable coffee cup. “There’s a lot of travel, Lucky.”
He stretched his long legs out and rested his forearms on the table. “Does that bother you?”
Gratitude that his first question pertained to my feelings loosened the knot in my chest.
“I’ve got mixed feelings. I don’t like to be away from her, Lucky. I’m lonely for her even on the days she’s with you, but I’m not happy.”
His eyes tightened with concern. “You’re not happy?”
I shook my head. “I’m really not.” I threw my hands up in the air. “I like my job but there’s no challenge or excitement to it anymore. I love being a mother but I’m lonely for adult company.”
“Come over here!” Lucky immediately exclaimed.
I smirked. “Not this kind of adult company, although I miss spending time with you as well.”
Guilt colored his handsome face. “I’m sorry, Hope. You’re right. We haven’t been spending hardly any time together. Let’s get back to our dinners.”
