Page 118 of Love You Madly

I really don’t want to cause any drama, but I thought she should know what she might be getting into. I’m only reaching out because I care.

Thanks, Karissa

My hands tighten around the phone as I read the messageagain, my mind racing. I glance up at Taylor, who’s watching me closely. There’s pity written all over her face, and my stomach sinks because I don’t want this to be her impression of Owen. My gut is telling me that it’s not true, and I’m afraid my sister will think I’m being naive.

“I don’t believe it,” I say, exasperated.

“I know,” Taylor says, “It’s crazy.”

“No, Tay. I’m saying I literally do not believe it. I don’t believe her. I think she’s lying. Owen would have told me. This is just a woman scorned because her boyfriend dumped her. I’m telling you, there’s no way this is true. He knows I don’t have time for bullshit.”

“Callie…,” Taylor warns.

“Taylor, I’m telling you it’s not true. I don’t know how I know, but I just do. She doesn’t even realize I’m not pregnant with Owen’s baby,” I say, my voice charged with anger. “She probably saw the picture his cousin took somehow and thought that he’d cheated on her with me or that he was cheating on me with her. Either way, I’m not buying it. This bitch has a fucking screw loose.”

Taylor nods, expression softening. “I will admit, the timing feels pretty weird. I’m sorry for upsetting you. I just thought you should know.”

I let my sister know that I appreciate her looking out for me as Mom and the girls return to the table. I take a deep breath, trying to steady the rush of emotions swirling inside me. “Karissa is the girl Owen broke up with the day after he helped me move,” I tell Taylor. “He told me it was over between them before we started seeing each other. I don’t believe her.”

“What’s going on?” Mom inquires.

“One of Owen’s exes is off her rocker, apparently,” Taylor says.

“Oh, you got that message too?” Mom asks. “I didn’t read the whole thing. It sounded like a scam to me.”

I think my eyes are going to actually pop out of my head.She messaged MY MOTHER?! What the fuck?

Before I can respond, Mom shrugs nonchalantly. “Oh, don’t worry about it, sweetheart. I figured it was just some crazy person. I didn’t give it a second thought.”

“Still, she’s got some nerve,” Taylor adds, shaking her head.

I take a deep breath, trying to push the irritation down. “Yeah, she does. But I’m not going to let it ruin our night.”

Mom smiles, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “Good. Now, let’s enjoy this dinner.”

I force myself to relax as the waitress comes by to take our orders. We spend the rest of the meal chatting about lighter topics—Mom’s garden, Taylor’s latest project at work, and Ava’s obsession with dinosaurs. I try to focus on the conversation, but my mind keeps drifting back to that message. I can’t help but feel a flicker of unease, despite how sure I am that Karissa’s lying.

By the time dessert rolls around, Sara is getting fussy, and Ava is starting to nod off. I offer to take the girls outside while Taylor and Mom finish up inside. The cool evening air is a relief after the stuffy warmth of the restaurant, and I bounce Sara on my hip as we walk around the parking lot. Ava trails behind, dragging her stuffed dinosaur along the ground.

When Taylor and Mom finally join us, we say our goodbyes in the parking lot. I buckle Sara into her car seat, and Mom gives me a quick hug before getting into Taylor’s car with Ava. I wave as they drive off, then slide into the driver’s seat, exhaustion starting to creep in.

By the time I get home, Sara is fast asleep, her little chest rising and falling steadily. I carry her inside, careful not to wake her, and gently place her in her crib. After making sureshe’s settled, I head to my room, the weight of the day finally catching up with me.

I flop onto my bed, pulling out my phone. The urge to message Owen is overwhelming—I need to tell him about what happened tonight, to hear his voice and let him reassure me that this is all just a ridiculous misunderstanding. I scroll through my contacts until I find his name, then type out a quick message:

Me:

Hey, I need to talk to you about something that happened tonight. Can you call me when you get a chance?

I hit send, my heart thudding in my chest. I know Owen wouldn’t lie to me, but there’s something about Karissa’s message that’s stuck with me, no matter how hard I try to shake it off.

As I lie back against the pillows, waiting for his reply, I tell myself that everything will be fine. Owen and I have something real, something solid. There’s no way a message from his ex is going to change that. But as I close my eyes, I can’t help but wonder what else Karissa might try next.

A few moments later, my phone buzzes, jolting me from my thoughts. It’s a message from Owen.

Owen:

Hey, Dollface. I’m just getting Barrett down for bed. I’ll call you as soon as he’s asleep. Is everything okay?

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