Page 88 of Engulfing Emma

“I just wanted you to know that I’ve scheduled my summer vacation. I’ll be spending it in New York.”

“I’ll alert the press,” I say dryly.

“Come on, Brett. It’ll be fun. I’ll be there for an entire week. Leo and I can spend so much time together. And maybe you and I—”

I cut her off right there. “When are you arriving?”

“Two weeks from Saturday.”

“I’m sure Leo will be happy to see you.”

“What about you, Brett? Willyoube happy to see me?”

I ignore her question. “I assume you’ll be staying at your sister’s house?”

“Actually, no. Jamie is having some renovations done. I thought I’d stay at the house with Leo and you.”

“You want to stayhere?”

“Sure. It’ll be a blast. You’re always saying I should spend more time with our son.”

“There are plenty of hotels close by that would be more comfortable. There’s no place for you to sleep here.”

She blows a sigh into the phone. What the hell does she think? That I’ll let her back into my bed when it’s convenient for her?

“I can sleep on the day bed in Leo’s room,” she says.

“It’s not a good idea.”

“Why not? Is it because of that woman across the street? You think she’ll get jealous? She’d better get used to me being in Leo’s life. Inyourlife. We’ll always be connected, you and me.”

I wasn’t even thinking about Emma and how she’d view it. I was thinking that I didn’t want to have to see Amanda morning, noon, and night. “It would be better if you stayed somewhere else. I don’t want to give Leo the wrong idea.”

“He’s two, Brett. What ideas could I possibly put in his head? I’m his mother. Don’t I deserve to rock him to sleep sometimes? And comfort him when he has a nightmare? And make his favorite breakfast?”

“What is his favorite breakfast?” I ask.

She huffs. “That’s not fair.”

“Itisfair, Amanda. You don’t know Leo, and now, suddenly, you want to play Mother of the Year? I’m not buying it.”

“I’ve had a lot of time to think, Brett. I want to be a better mother to him. I need this. Leo needs this. Do you really want to keep me from him? Make me stay in a hotel? I never thought you were that kind of person.”

I pace around the car, watching Jay expertly assemble the alternator.

I don’t want her staying in my house. But maybe she’s right. Leo has the right to get to know his mother. Her staying with him for a week would do that. “Fine, but you’re sleeping in Leo’s room. I mean it, Amanda. We’re divorced. You can’t kiss me and shit.”

“I’ll see you in seventeen days.” She disconnects.

I slip my phone into my pocket and growl.

“Trouble in paradise?” Jay asks, looking up from the car.

“I’d hardly call my life paradise.”

My phone vibrates again.“What?” I snap without checking who’s calling.

“Is that any way to treat the guy who’s about to do you an epic favor?”

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