Page 99 of Why Not Us?

I blink, confused, and suddenly a little scared. But surely, if she’s about to say something big—like moving away, my biggest fear—she’d have talked to me before talking to Dani.

We sit in the family room, Dani next to me on the couch, while Katie takes the chair.

“I wanted to give you guys some exciting news,” Katie says, and she looks so happy. But my heart is racing in my chest. “In about six months, Dani is going to become a big sister.”

Dani turns to me, eyes wide. Her hands fly to her face to cover her mouth. She turns back to Katie.

“Really?” she whispers.

Katie nods, grinning so big and holding out her arms for Dani to run into, which she does. They hug for a long moment, and I take the time to breathe through my relief. She’s not moving away. She’s just having a baby with David.

“Okay, angel,” Katie says after a minute. “Go get your things and we’ll get going.”

Dani turns to me first, looking so excited. “I’m going to be a big sister,” she says, bouncing on her toes before squeezing me in a hug. That image of the little girl I keep having pops into my head. This time, Dani is holding her, the little girl’s curly red hair contrasting with Dani’s dark strands. A lump forms in my throat as I consider how much I want that image to come true.

It’s such a ridiculous fantasy. We’d never talked about children before. We hadn’t even told Dani we were dating, regardless that she apparently knew from the beginning.

Dani lets me go and rushes upstairs to gather the things she likes to have at both houses.

When she’s gone, Katie says, “This won’t change anything here. I just wanted to let you know and didn’t want Dani to tell you. So David and I discussed it and decided I’d tell you both at the same time.”

“I’m really happy for you, Katie. I know you’ve wanted this for a while.”

She nods, her lips pressed together to contain her smile.

I take a breath. “I admit, I was a little nervous it was going to be something else.”

“Like what?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

“Nate,” she says, her tone exasperated.

“I guess I’m always a little worried you and David might want to move away.”

She rolls her eyes. “You know I’d never do that without having a very long discussion with you first. Dani’s well-being is important to me and David. We agree that the best thing for her is to stay close to you. You’re an excellent dad, Nate. Yeah, it’s hard only having her half the time, but I’m glad she has you.”

I offer her a smile, though it feels a little sad. “I know what you mean about only having her half the time. Mondays, when she goes with you, are the hardest. Or they were before—”

I cut off. Before I started talking to Adalie at night. We hadn’t even started seeing each other yet, but those phone calls helped me so much, knowing she’s there on the other end of the line.

Tonight is going to be hard without either of them. If only I hadn’t panicked, saying a bunch of things not only did I not mean, but were simply not true. If only I hadn’t hurt her. But she said it herself.I’ve already been hurt by enough people who I love. I don’t want you to become another.

“Shit,” I say as those words play in my mind again. I’d been so focused on the last thing she’d said, how she didn’t need anything from me, I’d completely glossed over the fact that she’d basically told me she loves me.

“What’s wrong?” Katie asks.

“I just realized something.” I stand and Katie does as well. “I have to make a phone call.”

Dani comes back downstairs and looks at us, standing.

“Dad?” she says.

“I need to call Adalie,” I tell her.

She rolls her eyes. “Obviously.” She comes and gives me a hug. Then she picks up her things and they head out.

As soon as they’re gone, I grab my phone, selecting Adalie’s contact information and placing the call. It rings for a moment and I pace my house until a man answers.

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