Page 139 of Forbidden Hearts
“I’m joking.” Sara rests her hand on my forearm. “Honestly, I am really happy for you. I know I just technically met Phoebe, but I see it. She is the exact opposite of you, which is what you need. You and I are too much piss and vinegar, and she’s the honey that makes you less bitter.”
“It’s really hard not to fall in love with her,” I say wistfully.
“Oh God.” Sara chokes on a laugh. “You really are that far gone? Wow. Good for her.”
“I am. I’m going to propose in two weeks. I’m taking her out to visit her best friend in Michigan, and I’ll do it there.”
Sara blinks a few times, clearly stunned. “Okay then. Well, I am looking forward to taking our daughter out of this sickly sweet lovefest.”
“I’ve loved having her, Sara. I really want Liv to get to spend more time with us. She adores Phoebe, and I think Phoebe may love Olivia more than she loves me. They became really close, and having her home every day was something I never realized I was missing.”
I wanted to have this conversation differently, but the opportunity presented itself and Sara should know how I feel. We’ve done the co-parenting thing really well, but on my other days off, I want Olivia here. Currently, I’ve had my daughter every other week when I have my three days off. It’s not enough.
“That’s going to be hard on her.”
“I don’t think it’ll be that hard. Right now, I get her every weekend, so it isn’t a huge change for me to have her the extra day and the two days in the middle of the week. It’s basically giving me time every week instead of every other.”
She leans against the wall and moves her jaw back and forth. “Can we get her settled back in with me first? Then we can talk to her and see how she feels? She’s nine, and I don’t want to say yes or no for her. She should get to decide this and feel a bit more involved in her living situation.”
“I agree, I just wanted to let you know, and we decide from there.”
“Also, I think we talk to her about this after she finds out about your impending marriage and child.”
I nod. “Probably the best move.”
We walk to the door to her room, and I look at the two girls I love the most in my life, hugging each other tightly.
thirty-seven
PHOEBE
“No, I completely understand,” I tell Bobby, the owner of the tech startup. “Once a month into New York City won’t be an issue until around November.”
“Okay. Hours will be flexible as we’re working with programmers who have other projects as well. That’s not going to be an issue?”
“Nope,” I say, feeling hopeful. I had my first interview two days ago, and they emailed this morning to ask if I was available for our second call today.
Asher is at work, and I went to Sydney’s office today to start the parental rights termination process. She was really helpful and kind as I sat there crying. It makes no sense why I’m so emotional. I don’t want Jonathan in the baby’s life and have an amazing boyfriend who already loves me and the baby, but there was something so hard about the whole situation in that moment.
A failure that I had to accept.
But, that’s over, the paperwork has been mailed, and I’m moving forward.
“Great. Well, I’d like to formally offer you the job if you’d like to come work with us?”
“I’d love to! I’m honestly so excited about this. I think there are so many in the Deaf community who could benefit from this.”
“Then let me be the first to welcome you to Talking Hands.”
I want to squeal, but that would be incredibly unprofessional, so I just smile. “I look forward to working with you, Bobby.”
“You as well. I’ll send all the paperwork over tonight or tomorrow. I’d like to hit the ground running in the next few weeks.”
“I am going away in two weeks, but after that, I’m free.”
Asher is taking me to Cloverleigh to see Emmeline and spend a weekend away. I’m excited and also terrified for her to meet him, but I think they’ll get along great.
“Not a problem, it’ll take that long just to get the developers to email me back.” Bobby chuckles. “We’ll be in touch. Thanks, Phoebe.”
