Page 97 of The Moment We Know

“No, that’s not what I’m telling you. Look, I know I’ll have to get used to—”

“Kissing when Jacob’s taking a nap?”

“Yes, and when he’s awake.”

“Thank God.”

“And I will, but it’s not going to happen on the first day. I mean, I don’t want the first time he ever sees me to be with your tongue in my mouth.”

With a Fine, you win, look, he let go of her, then watched as she hung up her coat and set her purse on the entryway table. Then, even though she was clearly trying to be as discreet as possible, he saw her remove a small plastic container out of the side pocket and slide it behind her back, in an attempt to hide it.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“What’s what?”

“The plastic container you just put behind your back so I wouldn’t see it.”

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s obviously something,” he argued back.

She sighed. “It’s just a few Rice Krispies treats, that’s all.”

“You weren’t supposed to bring anything.”

“Well, I did, so get over it.”

“What’s a Rice Krispies treat?”

The childish voice came from behind David and the first thing that ran through Paige’s mind was relief that she and David weren’t in the process of making out, because Jacob was clearly not asleep.

Feeling her heart rate start to escalate because her life was about to fundamentally change, Paige took a deep breath and glanced over at Jacob. He looked almost the same as when she’d seen him at the park several months ago, with medium, ash-brown, buzzed hair and a sturdy frame. However, up close, his resemblance to David was even more striking, especially when Paige looked into the little boy’s hazel eyes.

Before she could respond to his question, though, David—after a quick, slightly abashed glance in her direction—turned to Jacob. “You’re supposed to be taking a nap.”

“I’m not tired,” Jacob said.

“Are you sure you’re not tired, or are you just saying that because you don’t want to take a nap?”

“I’m not tired.”

The two of them proceeded to engage in a battle of wills, which Jacob appeared to win when David backed down. “All right,” he told Jacob, then pivoted, saying, “Well, since you’re here, why don’t you come meet my friend, Paige.”

For a moment, she was struck by how surreal it felt to be introduced as David’s ‘friend’, and how surreal it probably was for David to introduce his ex-wife to his son.

“Hi, Paige,” Jacob said, somewhat shyly, pronouncing the g like a ch, making it Paiche.

“And Paige—” David turned to her, “—this is my son, Jacob.”

“Hi, Jacob. It’s nice to meet you.”

She held out her hand, and after a brief pause he extended his own and clasped hers in a warm grip, then carefully shook it twice.

When it was over, and he’d pulled his hand free, he repeated his initial question. “What’s a Rice Krispies treat?”

Paige brought the container out of hiding, then opened the lid halfway to show him the delicious bounty inside, which made his eyes widen. “You’ve never had one before?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Can I have one now?”

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