Page 59 of The Perfect Mistake

“No, I’m sorry about that,” Isabel says with a glance at me.

“Thank you,” Sam says. His mouth is full of food, and he clearly has no idea what he’s thanking her for. It breaks the tension, and I chuckle. Isabel joins in, and then Willa, and then Sam himself, even though he definitely doesn’t know why.

God, this is what I do it all for. For them. I’m all they have, and I can’t afford to let my focus slip. Can’t afford to add any more guilt to a plate that’s already heaping.

But Isabel puts her hand on my shoulder after breakfast, and the thoughts of restraint immediately vanish. “Is it okay if Connie and I drop by the park later? I don’t want to intrude.”

I find myself shaking my head. “No, please do, if you want.”

It’ll be good for the kids to see their aunt, I think.

As if that’s the only reason I agreed.

Isabel

I glance one final time in the mirror. Tight black jeans, waist-high. Brown leather boots with short heels. A beige oversized coat that I bought at a vintage store for far below its actual value. I’ve even applied makeup, and the dark eyeshadow makes my brown eyes look bigger than usual.

I look good. Different. It’s been a while since I dressed up like this, with the exception of Connie’s wedding party. A night on the town. I’ve let my hair out and it hangs loose down my back.

Casual enough for a comedy club. Dressed up enough for a night out.

Grabbing my bag, I leave my room. There are familiar, soft sounds in the living room. The TV is on, and Sam is laughing. Willa saying something I can’t hear. And then, Alec’s voice.

Steady. Authoritative. “No, that’s Willa’s. You chose this bedtime show, Sam. Don’t you want to watch it?”

The tap of my heeled shoes against the hardwood floors announces my arrival. Three heads turn around. Willa’s eyes widen, Sam smiles, and Alec…

Well, his eyebrows lift. “You’re going out?”

I nod. It’s my night off, with Alec staying in town all weekend, no work scheduled.

“Where are you going?” Willa’s voice is happy, her face beaming. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

That makes me chuckle. “No, I don’t. I’m going to my sister’s stand-up show.”

“Stand-up,” Sam repeats. He sits back with a frown similar to the one his father is sporting, but his is one of confusion.

“It’s like a comedy show. Like being on stage and telling a bunch of jokes,” I explain.

Alec pushes off the couch. “How are you getting there?”

“I’m taking the subway.”

“You should have told me. Mac could have driven you.”

“Mac works for you,” I tell him. “Not for me.”

His frown deepens. “Where is the comedy club?”

“The Village.”

“What?”

“It’s not far,” I say. I’m a born and bred New Yorker, the same as him. But I’d bet everything I own that I’ve ridden the subway infinitely more times than him.

“Tell me you’re taking a taxi home,” he says. His voice is hushed, but there’s a clear demand in it.

I want to roll my eyes. “Maybe. Depends on how late it’ll run.”

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