Page 55 of That Right Moment

“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon. Thank you, Richard.” Milo sounded happier at least as he said his goodbyes. “Thank you, yes…yes…I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye.”

I flipped a few pages of the book quietly, making it look like I had read something while he was on the phone. I heard his phone set on the counter and the laptop close. The chair slid back, and Milo let out an exasperated sigh.

“One phone call down, and it was a complete success,” he said, joy in his voice again.

I looked at him, walking toward the couch with his arms open. He plopped down next to me and placed his hand on my knee. He gave a slight smile and met my gaze.

“What did he say?”

“Well, I was right. My old lawyer retired, but his son, Richard, now runs the firm. He was able to pull up the divorce file and took a look at the custody agreement. Technically, Hannah can’t move out of state without me agreeing, so a custody mediation is in the works and I’ll meet with him tomorrow about a court possibility. He didn’t seem to like the fact that Hannah and Donald had already bought land and began to build.” Milo moved his hand down my thigh and held his palm over my skin. I tried to ignore the feeling it created.

“That’s great,” I replied. “See? This isn’t a mess. It’s all going to work out.”

He tilted his head. “Well, yes and no. We have to meet with the lawyers and mediators and get everything worked out. It’s not going to be an easy process, but it’s one that has to be fought. She can’t take Holly away from me.”

I blinked at him, trying to keep all my pent-up emotions off my face and in the back of my head.It's not going to be an easy process, but it’s one that has to be fought.

I nodded, squinting my eyes at him before taking a breath and turning back to my book. Maybe If I just ignored it, it would go away.

“Okay, what's wrong?” Milo’s voice rang in my ears, bringing my gaze back to him.

I gave a slight smile. “Nothing.”

“No, something’s wrong. I know you. Maddy…” He turned his body, bringing his knee up on the couch, resting his arm on the cushion, staring me down as if preparing for an interrogation. “What’s up?”

“You’re going to be mad if I tell you. So I am just going to keep them—”

“No,” he interrupted. “What’s wrong?”

I heaved a sigh, placed my bookmark in the book I hadn't read a single word to and leaned up, cupping my mug with both hands as my book fell to the floor.

“I’m nervous,” I whispered.

“About what?” Milo’s focus went entirely on me. His fingers, his arms, his eyes, his entire body tensed up and reached out for me. “About Holly? Me too, but like you said—”

“No, it’s…” I groaned.Come on, Madeline. Just tell him.“Okay, I’m nervous I’m going to get in the way. Or somehow, I’m going to mess it up. Like Hannah will hold it over your head or something.”

Milo shook his head. “If anything, you’re going to be helping.”

“Does Hannah know we are dating?”

His look told me the answer I needed.

“She doesn't. Okay, that’s not a big deal. That's good, actually.”

Milo’s brow pinched, and his glare intensified. “Why does that matter?”

“Because it will be easier. We won’t have to lie to her…” Maybe…just maybe it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

“Why would we be lying to her?”

“I think maybe we should putuson hold until this is over and we know what’s going on,” I said simply, putting it out in the open. It didn’t sound as crazy or scary as it did in my head.

Milo’s eyebrows raised, and he sat up a little straighter. “So…you’re breaking up with me?” he mumbled.

“No, no…” I reached over and put my mug on the table, returning back to him to cup his face in my hands, making his eyes look into mine. “I’m saying I will wait. I want you to be my boyfriend and I want to be your girlfriend, and Holly is a part of that package deal…and I want her too. But I’m scared that if Hannah sees you in a brand-new relationship, she may use that against you in a mediation. She may see it as unstable. I’ll be here…right here…through everything. I’ll go to mediations and court hearings, and if you go on a vacation with Holly, I’m definitely going, but for now…maybe the relationship part of us just needs to be….” I sighed. “Paused.”

Milo’s fingers gently wrapped around my wrists. His breathing seemed to stop, and when he touched my skin, he took a soft exhale. He closed his eyes, tightly holding them down. Tears again? Milo was simply breaking my heart.

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