Page 102 of Forfeits

“Yes. As a friend in that case.”

“Huh.”

Aiden raised his eyebrows. “Are you planning to break up with me? Just so I know?”

“Not a chance.”

“Oh, good.”

We chuckled then sobered as we exited Aiden’s car. I took a few deep breaths and decided that the goal was to get Annie and Brian out of my house as quickly as possible, so that I could finish coming down from that incredible scene with a cup of herbal tea and a bath. In the meantime, I’d somehow retain control of my emotions.

“You’re angry,” Daniel said. “I know.”

“Because you always do this!” I said, throwing the dish towel onto the counter.

“What do you mean?”

“You can’t tell me before we do a scene? Why do you have to wait until I’m dropping to pull something like this out of your hat?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were dropping.”

“Daniel. We just had the most intense scene. I’m exhausted and feeling very vulnerable right now. And now you tell me that you’re not sure about this parenting thing? Jesus! It’s too fucking late!”

“I know. I know it is. I’m just…I’m struggling, and I wanted you to know that.”

“I already know.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Kind of. But I’m struggling, too. I think all parents struggle. I think it’s a part of the landscape. There’s no getting away from it.”

“Yeah.”

“You just have to deal with it.”

“Right.”

“And we’ll deal with it together. Because we’re Lucy’s parents and we love her.”

I opened the door, and we stepped into an uncomfortable silence.

Robin was sitting on the very end of the sofa in the living room with his hands in his lap and a bored expression on his face. He looked up with relief when we came in.

Annie and Brian looked grim, sitting at the dining table, and regarding me and Aiden with disapproval.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six…I counted down from ten in order not to lose my temper.

How dare they? How dare they come into my home and make Robin feel uncomfortable when he’d done me a solid and taken care of Lucy for the evening? I had no doubt that Lucy would be singing Robin’s praises all the next day. Aiden was right. Robin was amazing. And I hated that Annie and Brian had given him reason to believe that his presence was inappropriate.

“Hi, Robin,” I said, ignoring them for the time being. We had things to discuss, but the first round of business was to let my sitter go home. “Thank you so much for looking after Lucy.”

Annie let out a humpf from the table but I ignored her.

Robin stood, keeping his gaze on me.

“You’re welcome, Fletcher. She was an absolute angel.” I doubted that was true but appreciated the spirit of it. I had no doubt that Lucy had tried to get away with staying up late or watching an R-rated movie but that Robin had been equal to her wiles. I couldn’t see Robin letting anyone take advantage of him, even a twelve-year-old expert negotiator like Lucy.

He glanced at Annie and Brian and swallowed his pride. “Nice to meet you both.”

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