Page 51 of Second Round

“Oui, je sais.You’re a workaholic. But you always find time for women. I want to meet your new girlfriend when I getthere.”

“Sophie, Itoldyou—”

She waved her hand at my protests. “Oui, oui, oui. Even if you don’t have someone yet—which I don’t believe—you will by the time we are there. If there’s going to be another woman looking after Charlotte, I want to meet her. We can all go out for dinner orsomething.”

No point in arguing something so hypothetical. “Anythingelse?”

“Yes, there’s one more thing. Wes and I are going to be moving after we getmarried.”

“Where?”Merde. This was news, and not good news. Wes had some job with luxury yachts, and he lived in San Diego. But he’d been taking jobs on the East Coast and staying with Sophie in between, so I assumed that was how things would continue. Besides, this issue was painful to me. Sophie’s career was so important to her that I was shocked she’d marry someone who didn’t even live in Montréal. Now she was considering moving to the States. She had never been willing to move for me—even though we had Charlotte together. But over time, everyonechanges.

Sophie flipped her smooth hair back, and a vague memory flashed of how fine and soft each strand felt. “We don’t know yet. Somewhere on thecoast.”

“Whichcoast?”

“We don’t know that yet either. Wes needs to be able to fly easily, so near a big airport. But I haven’t been able to find a job in San Diego that’s equivalent to what Idonow.”

“Okay, well, keep me posted.” Again, all this was hypothetical. Once they’d decided on a city, we could discuss things more. Maybe Charlotte would end up being closer, which would be a good thing. Sophie enjoyed drama, and I wasn’t willing to oblige her with a big argument about something that might not even happen. But my ex still knew how to push all mybuttons.

We said goodbye, and I closed the laptop. Talking to Sophie always left me unsettled, but now more than ever. I was glad that she was happy, but I could see that Charlotte’s life was going to change a lot in the next year—and I wondered what my place in that new lifewouldbe.

18

Torn

Jackie

How about dinnertonight?

I texted Leo and then waited nervously. This past weekend, I’d had the kids and Leo had games both nights. Then Brent had asked if he could take Hannah and Tristan to a big family event at his parents’ place on Sunday. Freedom for a few hours, and maybe I could get my Leo-fix. He was bringing an excitement to my life that had been sorelylacking.

Finally, mycellrang.

“Hey, Jackie. Howareyou?”

“I’m good. Areyoubusy?”

“Yeah. Always.” He sounded tired. “I’ve got to work late, but I do have to break for dinner. Where do you wanttogo?”

“I was thinking you could come here. The kids are with their Dad until atleastnine.”

“You don’t want your kids tomeetme?”

“Oh no,” I apologized. “It’s just a little too soon, don’t youthink?”

Having to do the “mommy’s dating” chat was ranking right up there with the explaining sex to Tristan. When I told the facts of life to Hannah, she took everything in stride. But Tristan was totally grossed out by my explanation and pleaded with me to stop talking. Sharon told me that the sooner I got the kids used to the idea of my dating, the better. But Sharon was also the one who warned me that it wasn’t a relationship until we’d discussed it. Once we were a thing, I’dtellthem.

Leo laughed. “I’m teasing you, Jackie. Are you sure this wouldn’t be toomuchwork?”

“No, I’ll whip up something easy,” Iassuredhim.

Leo did look tired when he came over. Today he was dressed like a hot gym teacher in a black Vancouver Vice tracksuit. He pulled me into his arms for a kiss as soon as he got inside. His kiss melted my knees and pantiessimultaneously.

“Mmmm, you’re the best thing I’ve tasted all day,” Leo said. He kept his arm around my waist as I led him into the kitchen. I poured him a cold beer, and he grinned. “As usual, you know exactly whatIneed.”

Was that hint about sex? Because I was more than goodwiththat.

“I aim to please,” I said. I tried to keep from blushing without success. Leo noticed of course. He never missed athing.

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