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“Tell me you’re going like that,” she says.
I roll my eyes and breeze past her into the empty bedroom. I left Easton sleeping in bed, so I’m assuming he’s downstairs now with Elio. He’s coming with me, and Daphne is going to take Elio out one last time since her flight is in two days, and I know it’s going to be harder to let her go this time.
“I don’t know if I should dress up or go casual,” I murmur, staring at the pile of clothes on the chair. Last night, Easton went by my condo and grabbed whatever he could find that seemed court appropriate.
But now it seems a bit like overkill.
I have a meeting with my attorney, who told me yesterday he finally got our court date to finalize the divorce, and all I can hope for is that it happens while Neal is still in jail. With the way he’s acting, a part of me thinks he might try and show up to demand joint custody or something equally wild.
Daphne sighs and walks over, picking out a button-up and a pair of slacks. “Not as formal as prom, but nicer than you’d wear to a date.”
“Thanks.”
She pats me on the cheek and tosses my clothes on the bed before tugging me into a tight hug. “So, I’m thinking about putting in for a transfer.”
My entire body jolts. “Daph, honey…”
“No, listen. I’m not here to encroach on the family you’re building, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“That was not what I was thinking,” I tell her quickly.
She puts a finger on my lips. “I stand by my decision and my belief that being a full-time mom is not for me. I’d fuck it up, even if I did try. And I can know that and accept that about myself. And if it ever comes time that you want to think about a stepparent adoption for Elio and Easton, we can talk about it.”
“Oh, darling,” I whisper as she drops her finger.
She shrugs. “We can do whatever works best for him. But I’m not going anywhere, and I’d like to be closer than an entire ocean away.”
“It would be nice to have you closer.”
“Good, because my company has offices in New Hampshire and in Jersey. I’m going to look at what they’re offering.”
A couple of hours by car. My heart does a little pitter-patter against my ribs. “Okay.”
“And if you decide to do a wedding or some vow ceremony or whatever, I hope I’m going to be your best woman.”
“Always.” I tug her close and kiss her cheek. “My parents will be thrilled.”
She laughs. “Fuck, I miss Drew and Jodi.”
Bowing my head, I take a deep breath. “Let’s talk about it after I get through today, okay? I want to help you figure this out, but I don’t know that I’m any good to anyone right now. My head is a mess.”
“You’ve got this. You have the best man in the entire fucking world downstairs learning to play Valorant to make your kid happy. I won’t even learn that goddamn game.”
I burst into laughter. “Me either.”
“When you’re done, take some time. Don’t come home right away. Maybe go talk to that Realtor and see if there’s a temporary rental before you two start building.”
My eyes widen. “Building? Honey, that’s such a sweet thought, but I don’t think Easton and I have that kind of money.”
Her eyes go wide, and she clears her throat. “Can you forget I just said that?”
I take a step closer. “Daph…what do you know?”
She looks panicked, then suddenly reaches out and yanks my towel off before turning around and running out the door so I can chase her.
“We are not through!” I shout as I scramble to cover myself.
“Yes we are! Love you!” I hear her thunder down the stairs, and now I’m shaking for a brand-new reason as I shimmy into my boxers, pants, and shirt. It doesn’t take much time after that to run the electric razor over my jaw, tie my hair up in a neater bun than usual, then throw on some deodorant and a spritz of Easton’s cologne so I don’t offend everyone around me.
