Page 46 of Quiet Beautiful Things

“The worst part. So you want full custody?”

“Hell yeah, I do. I don’t want her anywhere near that woman. Who doesn’t bother teaching their kid to communicate? We don’t even know yet, she could have permanently inhibited Maisy’s ability to learn.”

“Hmm.”

“What does that mean?”

“I suppose I’m surprised you’re being so responsible. I never pegged you for the parenting type.”

I laugh. “Me neither. Do you… want to meet her?”

He sighs. “Sure. Someday.”

“Maybe when you come for Lucas’s wedding?”

“You don’t seriously think he’ll go through with it this time, do you?”

“Hell if I know, but he’s going through the motions. You’re coming right? You know you’ll be pissed if he actually goes through with it and you missed it.”

“I guess I would. But, Blake?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m not sure I’ll make a very good uncle. I’m happy for you if this is what you want though. And I’m happy to go stag with you to the wedding.”

“Maybe. But, uh, I’m sort of hoping I’ll have a date.”

“A date? To Lucas’s wedding? That’s pretty significant. I didn’t even know you were seeing someone.”

“Probably because you never ask. And I’m not really. But I want to be. It’s Maisy’s mentor. Dal, she’s fucking amazing. The way she is with her. And she’s beautiful, and new to Cal Creek, and when I’m with her, I don’t know, something just feels—”

I stop talking. Because, shit. His wife is dead. I shouldn’t be telling him about this.

“Feels what?”

“Forget it.”

He scoffs. “Blake, you don’t have to wear kid gloves around me.”

“Says the guy who hasn’t returned home in two years.”

“Listen, if you’ve got a lady and a kid, I’m happy for you. But, you should be careful. Honestly, you were probably better off before. Loving people can only lead to heartbreak.”

How do I even respond to that?

“But you’ll come to the wedding?”

“Yeah. Sure. Whatever.”

“And you’ll meet Maisy?”

“Just don’t expect much, Blake. I’ll do what I can do.”

“I don’t expect anything. I just want her to know her family because I’m pretty sure before this she had no one.”

“Well, if you’ve got nothing, you have nothing to lose.”

“Is that how you plan to live the rest of your life? With nothing?”

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