Page 48 of Bad Decisions

"Oh, I'm sure she does plenty of that." The phone shook in my hand. "Did you know she went on a date with Benji the other night?"

"Yes," I ground out. I didn't want to relive that night.

"And you thought it was fine?"

"She can do what she wants," I said, even though the words tasted like ash. "I'm not in charge of her."

"What if Emma needed something?" she asked.

"I was home." I took a deep breath. I don't know why I felt so defensive. "When I get home, she's done for the day." She hummed again, and I braced my hand on the wall.

"So, she's not working this weekend?"

"She went out with Lily," I sighed. Cora laughed again.

"Of course, she did," she said. "Do you know what Lily does for work?" No, I didn't know, and I really didn't care. "I heard she sleeps with men for money." My brows lifted. "She's always at the Diamond Club—"

"That's a strip club," I interrupted. "If she works there, she's probably a dancer or server. They're not prostitutes." There was a beat of tense silence and I knew what her next question would be before she even spoke.

"How do you know?" she asked. "Have you been?"

"Yes, Cora," I deadpanned. "I have been to a strip club a few times in my life. I know what goes on in them."

"I didn't know—"

"Look," I interrupted again. "Is there something you need? I really need to get back to Emma."

"I wanted to discuss her party," she said tightly.

Fuck. Emma's birthday. How the fuck had I forgotten it?

"Right," I breathed. "What about it?"

"Well, have you planned anything? What's the theme? What food do I need to make? Or dessert? How many people? What about—"

"Jesus," I breathed, feeling overwhelmed. "I'll get back to you on the details. I'm still planning." I knew she knew it was a total lie, but whatever.

"You know I can do it for you," she said. I pushed off the wall and paced down the hallway.

I paused at the entrance to the living room. Emma was still curled on her side, Uni clutched tightly in her arms as she watched her show with glassy eyes. She was fighting her sleep, but I knew the second I sat down, she'd cuddle next to me and be out in a few minutes. So I really needed to get off the damn phone.

"It's fine," I said quietly, still watching Emma.

"Just let me—"

"Cora, please," I breathed. "I need to do this myself." My throat tightened.

This would be the first major event without Meredith, and I needed to prove to myself, and to Emma, that I could do this. That I could handle things on my own. That I could still give her everything she wanted.

"You'll let me know if I can do anything," she said.

"Of course." I was honestly surprised she didn't try to fight me on it. I was just thankful she could read between the lines enough to let me have this. "I have to go." Before she could say anything else, I hung up and strode toward Emma.

She lifted her head enough to look at me, then scooted over and let me sit beside her. As expected, she curled into my side as I wrapped my arm around her, and within a few minutes, she was asleep.

* * *

Sitting at the kitchen table,I braced my head on my hand as I scrolled on my laptop. Meredith had done mostly everything when it came to planning Emma's previous parties. I grilled, picked up the alcohol for the adults, and bought the best presents I could find. She did literally everything else.

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