Page 31 of Mad Love

WESTON

By eleven o’clock the next morning, my parents have drafted a custody agreement, probably one of the more bizarre ones they’ve ever done. It basically states that Sadie and I are raising Caleb together. Technically, I have full custody, but I won’t keep Sadie from seeing him whenever she wants. If we ever need to renegotiate the terms, we will, but for now, she has full access to him and so do I.

Something eases between Sadie and me. Almost instantly. At first I was offended that she needed it in writing, since I’m doing a lot here to be conciliatory when I wouldn’t have to be, but I think I needed it too. Building trust will take time.

“Should we grab some lunch?” I ask.

“Actually, I—” She looks nervous again and I turn to face her.

We’ve just left my parents’ office and it took a huge effort to get out the door on time…after another night of little sleep. We both have dark circles under our eyes and I feel like I could go for a power nap right about now, but my stomach’s protesting.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I need to meet my parents at the apartment and then go to the funeral home. They’ve decided the funeral will be the day after tomorrow and there are a lot of arrangements to be made.”

“Can I do anything to help?”

Her features soften, her full lips puckering as she bites the inside of her cheek. “Thanks, Weston. If you could—I mean, if you wouldn’t mind, I—” She takes a deep breath and makes a face. “I’m not good at asking for help.”

“It’s okay. I’m offering.”

She nods. “Can you watch Caleb while I’m gone?”

A hesitant smile breaks out across my face and she looks startled by it. Her cheeks flush and she looks so damn pretty, I end up being the one to look away first.

“I can do that,” I say. “You sure you trust me to handle him?”

She exhales again and nods, her smile shy. It does something to me. It makes me want to see her smile more often.

“You’re getting there. You’ll be okay,” she says.

She gets in the SUV as I walk around to my side. When I turn the ignition, she keeps going.

“He’ll probably want to eat again by the time you get home.” Her cheeks turn pink again. “And need a diaper change before you lay him down for a nap.”

“Got it. Do you need me to drop you off at your place? Caleb and I can pick you up whenever you need.”

She turns to look at me. “No, that’s okay. I don’t want to tie up your day. This is already a lot.” She spreads her hands out, waving them around.

“I don’t mind. Whatever is easiest for you.” I don’t want to admit that I’m a little nervous about having him on my own. It’s different than when I’m with Caleb during the night and I know Sadie is close by.

She’s quiet for a moment. “For someone who’s such a—” She clears her throat. “You sure are a lot nicer than I expected.”

I’m stunned for a second and then laugh, keeping my eyes on the road as I drive toward home. “Thank you, I think? What were you going to say? Such a what?”

She looks out the window, but I can still see her smirk.

“Such a player.” She wrinkles her nose and looks at me.

I finally nod. “I deserve that.” I make a face back at her. “But I’ve been trying to amend my player ways for a while now.”

“Hmm,” she says skeptically. “You don’t need to say that on my account. We already signed the papers this morning.” She lifts her shoulder and her lips quirk to the side like she’s trying not to smile. “I’m stuck with whoever you are and whoever you’re with.”

I snort, more surprised that she’s going there than anything.

“I’mnotsaying it for your account. I’ll prove it. Besides my family, you are the only woman who’s been in my house.”

She scoffs. “Oh,okay, you’ve lived there, what, about a minute?”

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