Page 95 of The Moment We Know

“Why?”

The blandly asked question pissed Paige off. “Look, I know you’re fearless when it comes to everything, but I’m not like you—”

“I know you’re not like me. That’s why I’m asking why you are scared shitless. So we can discuss it.”

Paige took a deep breath. “This isn’t just about me and David.”

Jules pushed her own plate away, then rested her elbows on the table. “I know. A little boy is also involved.”

Paige nodded, picturing Jacob in her mind. Since that moment a few months ago, when she’d accidentally seen him at the park with David, the vision had not faded at all. “I’m afraid if shit goes south with David this time, I’ll have to leave both of them. And if that happens, I’m truly fucked.”

“I get it. I do. That being said, I still think you should jump in with both feet, because this is what you’ve worked so hard for. To get to this place, where you can live your best, most fulfilling life with someone, right? And regardless of who that person was going to be, it was always going to involve risk going forward, since there’s risk in everything. But with that person being David, I actually see less risk, especially since this time around your connection with him is stronger than before. Now, while I know that’s not a guarantee of a happily-ever-after, it’s the closest thing to it.” Jules reached out and grasped Paige’s hands, squeezing, hard. “And Jacob is going to be a part of that … you just need to get out of your own way and let it happen.”

Then, because she was Jules, she had to add, “Damn, I really wish I could be in the room when Ashley finds out you and David are back together.”

Chapter 37

David looked down at the incoming text notification on his phone and felt his heart stutter. It was from Paige and as much as he’d been wanting to hear from her, now that the moment was upon him, he was basically too afraid to read the damn thing.

For almost a minute, he stared at the notification, fingers drumming on his work desk.

Finally, after taking the world’s biggest breath, he opened the text, praying that after a week of waiting, he wasn’t about to get metaphorically kicked in the balls because that wasn’t part of his plan.

PAIGE: I’m in.

“Holy shit,” he murmured, reading it five more times before FaceTiming her with shaky hands. The moment she came onscreen, he asked, “You’re in?”

“Yes. I’d like to try again, too,” Paige replied.

The relief was real, and as the tightness in David’s chest started to loosen, he was able to breathe once again, for what felt like the first time in days. “You’ll need to meet Jacob, then.”

“I know.”

He watched her expression cloud over. “What is it?”

“Nothing. I was just … thinking. What if he, um, hates me?”

David almost laughed out loud at that. “Oh, my God, are you serious?”

“Shut-up. Of course I’m serious. He might hate me, and then what?”

He cleared his throat, because he could see she was serious. “Paige, he’s not going to hate you.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do. He doesn’t hate anyone—or anything for that matter. Except for Brussel sprouts. He actually does hate those. But he’s not going to hate you. He’s going to—” he stopped, almost having said ‘love you’ and quickly said, “—really like you. You’re a very likable person, so why wouldn’t he like you?”

“I don’t know. I just … you’re right.” She nodded her head quickly. “I am very likable, so of course there’s nothing to worry about. I’m not worried. It’s going to be great.”

Chapter 38

As David and Jacob approached Ashley’s apartment the next day, the little boy’s footsteps slowed, forcing David to slow down as well. When they reached the door, Jacob squeezed David’s hand, almost tugging on it.

“I want to go home,” Jacob whispered.

Kneeling down so he was at eye level with his son, David’s heart clenched at the unhappy expression on Jacob’s face. “I know, but we’ve talked about this.” David kept his own expression gentle and encouraging, even though it was extremely difficult; he’d thought by now Jacob would’ve gotten used to his visits with Ashley, possibly even come to enjoy them a little bit, but that hadn’t happened. David could only assume, since Jacob wasn’t enjoying them, it was unlikely Ashley was, either, especially since she’d backed out of her Wednesday visitations.

“It’s only for two days,” David added, as if that was any solace to a child, when two days could seem like two years. Then, forcing himself to his feet, David knocked on Ashley’s door. It was opened fairly quickly and when David saw her, he gave her a forced smile.

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