Page 139 of The Promise Of You

“It’s cool, guys,” I say as I motion with my hands for them to get unfrozen and say some welcome words to Gisele.

They all wave, there are a few, “Welcome to Emerald Creek,” then Grace stands to let Gisele sit down.

Gisele stays put. “Um, I was just looking for Justin,” she says to no one in particular.

“He’s—he’s not here. Did you try the pub?”

She rolls her eyes and finally looks at me. “Um. Yeah?”

“Kay, well did you try calling him?”

She huffs. “This is useless,” she says and leaves.

I pull my phone out.

Me

Gisele is looking for you

Justin

What does she want

I don’t know.

Why doesn’t she call me

You ask her.

Oh shit

What

I think I blocked her.

This isn’t funny. She’s the mother of your child.

You’re telling me

Love you

Love you more

“What was that?” Haley asks.

I pocket my phone. “Sorry, didn’t have time to warn you. She got here this morning.”

“But what was that,” Haley repeats.

I look to where Gisele walked out. “I don’t know what to tell you, sweetheart. It’s—what you see is what you get. She claims she’s having Justin’s baby, Justin isn’t saying it’s not possible, so they’re doing a paternity test, and in the meantime, we’re going with the assumption it’s his just so that we don’t burn bridges. And we’re all going to work like mature adults to give this child a fantastic life surrounded by loving, mature adults.”

“Wow,” Grace says. “You seem really cool with all that.”

Not cool. Not cool at all. But I don’t have a choice. “Justin is going to need me. I can’t let him down now. I hope you guys see that. We need to make Gisele feel welcome here, so they can co-parent in the best way possible for their child.”

There are some muffled wows, a man, and one respect.

Haley mutters, “I don’t buy it. He’s not the father. She’s not his style.”

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