Page 32 of Succeeding Love

“Daddy!” Jessie smiled excitedly as I pulled up to the curb of her school.

“Sorry I’m late,” I cringed. Jessie was one of the last kids at parent pick up. I’m about thirty minutes late. I had a phone call with a client right before I left the office. One partner patched it over to me, so I couldn’t ignore it, and it took me forever to reassure the client that their case was in the right hands.

“It’s okay. My friend just left, so I was only by myself for a few minutes.” My beautiful daughter was always so upbeat. I’m not sure if what she said is true, or if she is just trying to make me feel less guilty. She’s like Fay in that way. She’s too sweet for her own good sometimes.

“I’m still sorry, honey. Next time you can go home with your brother and I’ll pick you up from there.”

Jessie made a face. “It’s okay, daddy. I don’t mind the wait.”

I studied her face for a few seconds. She looked guilty for some reason.

“What?” I stared in confusion.

She quirked her lips, making a face she learned from her mother when she’s trying not to hurt someone’s feelings. “Pres told us to call him when we finished shopping.” That’s all. He’s going to come get me after his baseball practice.”

“I was just going to drop you off, Jess. You don’t have to call your brother.”

“It’s okay,” she smiled stiffly. “Preston said-“

“Jessie,” I stopped her. “Did Preston say something about me and your mom?”

She bit her lip, shrugging her shoulders. “It’s nothing, daddy.”

I sighed, feeling exhausted and more beat down than before. Preston is even getting his sister involved to keep me from Fay. I can’t even blame him. I did this to myself.

“Okay, sweetie,” I said, putting a smile on my face. “How does Starbucks sound first?”

I took Jessie to get her favorite lemonade drink and a pastry before we headed to the furniture store. She excitedly skipped around the displays, picking out a whitewashed canopy bed with matching furniture before helping me to pick out furniture for the rest of the condo. I liked the dark leather motorized couches and loveseats with charging ports and massage functions, but Jessie turned her nose up at them. She pointed out brighter colors, and I ended up getting what she preferred instead. Honestly, Fay had similar preferences to our daughter, and I was still hoping to share this condo with my wife.

The bedroom furniture for Preston’s room was easy. I sent him a text of the first display I saw he might like, and hegave me a thumbs up emoji. It wasn’t until I started picking out furniture for the master bedroom that I felt frantic. I took our old bedroom furniture during the divorce. Fay bought herself a new set and told me she was just going to give our old bed and dressers away. I had it taken to storage with the bulk of my belongings instead, and now I’m wondering if I should just use that instead of getting something new.

“What’s the matter, daddy?” Jessie asked as I was running my finger over a paisley bedspread similar to the one Fay once had on our bed.

“Nothing, sweetheart. What do you think of this?”

She shrugged. “I like it, but Arlene doesn’t like things that are girly or flowery. She might like the cheetah one instead. Or maybe just a dark color?”

I pressed my lips together, wondering for a few seconds if I should break it to Jessie that Arlene’s opinion wouldn’t matter.

Jessie skipped to a display of more masculine and dark printed bedding, shifting through the shelving until she found a deep forest snake skin pattern. “This one looks like her favorite dress.”

“Oh, Jess,” I shook my head. I know Arlene and Jessie are close, and I feel guilty for allowing that to happen, even though I’ve known for a while that Arlene and I wouldn’t work out. I should tell her though, so she’s not put in any awkward situations later. “Arlene won’t be coming over to the new place.”

“What do you mean?” She tilted her head to the side.

“It’s just not working out, honey. I know you like her, but this move is going to be a new start for me. Away from Arlene.”

“But,” Jessie looked at the ground, her brain working to make sense of what I just said. “Did you two break up? Arlene still talks to me like you both are together.”

I winced internally. “It’s complicated. I’m planning on talking to her soon.”

Jessie stared at me. Her eyes, which were so like her mother’s, were swimming with some emotion that had me feeling on edge. “Is…. Is it because of mom?”

My eyes went wide for a second, and I hesitated. “What do you mean?”

She picked at the threading of a decorative pillow on the display in front of her. “Preston said something, and now I’m wondering if mom is why you don’t want to be with Arlene.”

“What did Preston say?”

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