Page 92 of A Whole New Play

“Then what do you mean when you say ‘you’re seeing her’?”

I pinch my lips together to hold back my chuckle.

Amusement flickers in Carter’s gaze when he meets mine before returning his attention to the other side of the dining room table where Abby and Andy sit, watching us. “I mean that Valerie and I are dating. Or, I mean…” He pauses and frowns. “We’re dating as long as you two are okay with it.”

He means it.

And the fact Carter would put his children’s happiness in front of his own makes me fall for him a little harder.

Understanding dawns and Andy’s face lights up in excitement. “What? Really? Valerie is your girlfriend?”

Carter glances at me once more. Affection flickers in his expression. “Yeah, she is.”

“That’s awesome!” The six-year-old punches a hand in the air but then frowns. “Wait… does this mean she’s not our nanny anymore?” Worried brown eyes find mine, and my heart squeezes with affection for the little boy.

“I’m still your nanny,” I reassure him.

He sighs. “Oh, good. I’d rather you be our nanny than Dad’s girlfriend.”

I chuckle. So does Carter.

I look at Abby and my amusement fades when I take in her expression. “Abby?”

The little girl stares at the table in front of her. Her arms are crossed. She doesn’t respond.

My heart drops.

“Abby?” Carter says. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

She lifts her gaze to her dad. Her lips are turned down in a frown. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t seem fine,” he contradicts gently.

She shifts in her seat before glancing at me. “Well… I am.”

That’s obviously not true.

“It’s okay to say what you’re really feeling,” I tell her. I know all too well what it feels like to hold back your thoughts to appease someone else. I’ve done it my entire life with my mom. That’s why I’ve spent the last week dodging her calls. I’ve only replied to her texts to say I’ll call when I feel like talking.

But rather than respect my boundary, Mom opted to text me back over a dozen times to criticize my choice to “isolate her” and “leave her in the dark while her friends are asking for details about my relationship”. Which is why I choose to ignore her rather than face her.

I’m not strong enough to stand up for myself when faced with her criticisms.

And I don’t want Abby to fall into the same habit.

But the little girl looks at me skeptically. She doesn’t believe there won’t be consequences for being honest.

Carter speaks up, “It’s okay, Abby. Tell us what you’re thinking.”

Her little forehead furrows. Finally, she says, “I don’t want you to date Valerie.”

Disappointment is swift and fierce, but I conceal those emotions so Abby and Andy don’t notice.

Carter does the same. His features are neutral as he asks, “Can you tell me why?”

She hesitates, but I’m proud of her when she lifts her chin and says, “I don’t like Mom’s boyfriend."

My pride is replaced with confusion.

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