Page 49 of Bad Love

“We’re still working that out.” Part of me wants to say, “He’s going to singlehandedly create world peace while deriving his universal theory of everything in front of a crowd of Nobel Prize judges,” to see her react.But I push the thought away as I give her thedate.

"It's a Saturday, and you know how busy Saturdaysare."

Disappointment floods me. "It's two months away. And it's not like it's a Sunday. The parishioners would understand Dad being gone for half aday."

"We’ll discuss it, Kendall. That’s not why I called.” Her voice lifts, and my heart kicks. “The realtor stopped by to see your father. We found out someone put an offer on the house nextdoor."

"Ah, that'sgreat."

"It'sBlake."

Cold washes over me as my gaze finds my son by the pond. He’s far enough away he can’t hear, but I can’t help wondering what he’d think if he could. "What do you mean? Blake was working out ofstate."

"He was. He’s comingback."

"But…why?"

"Kendall," she says, chastising, "it's God's plan. It's not our place toquestion."

"I'm not questioning God. I'm questioning my ex-husband," I say, frustration rising up in a wave. "I’m kind of in the middle of something. Can I call you backlater?”

“Of course. Say hello to Rory forus.”

“Bye,Mom."

"What was that?" Rena asks, coming up behind me as I hang up with a littlescreech.

"Rory's dad bought the house next to myparents."

Her jaw drops. "Whoa. The ex moving in next to the parents? Sounds like athrowdown."

I grimace. "There will be no throwdown. They like Blake. Always have." Anger lodges in my throat, but I can’t stop. "He thinks he can have whatever he wants, and it doesn’t matter what anyone elsewants."

I blow out a breath to regain my composure. I’m not used to spinning out, and it feels terrible. "He comes. He goes. He expects everyone to make plans to suit his schedule. And the moment someone tries to hold him accountable for jumping ship? He acts as if he’s perfectly entitled to do whatever he wants. As if…” I rub a hand over my lips. “As if he’s not afather.”

Rena’s face colors with compassion. “I’m sorry your ex is a dick. Most exesare.”

“I know. It’s just… I don’t understand men, Rena. They’remysterious."

She smiles. "Men are a lot of things. Mysterious isn’t one of them. Take Wes. He wants scientific answers to everything and moreBack to the Futuresequels. I keep telling him neither ispossible."

My mouth twitches despite mymood.

"But it's not Wes you're talking about. Or Blake. Is this aboutHunter?"

Ohboy.

My stomach’s flip-flopping changes entirely. "He came over for a work conversation the other day. Then he kissedme.”

“Oh yes.” She grabs my arm. “Normally I wouldn’t be so excited for a kiss, but this is you we’re talking about. That’s practically thirdbase.”

I explain what happened, leaving out some choice adjectives. Still, her eyes get bigger and sparkle more with everyword.

I've spoken with Hunter on the phone since then, purely about advertising and budgetquestions.

He seemed distant.Distracted.

He hasn't said anything about what happened between us or what happened after. Neither haveI.

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