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After the fourth ring, I start to hang up, but then her voice comes over the line. “Hi, Matt.”

The way she says my name suggests she’s not exactly happy to hear from me. I swallow hard and press on. “Hey. Umm, I just wanted to call and ask you to join me and my family for Sunday dinner.”

She’s silent for a few minutes, then sighs. “Did your mom ask you to call me?”

“Yes,” I answer, deciding honesty is best. “She said she invited you but you didn’t give her an answer. She asked me to follow up. So, I am.”

I can hear the wheels spinning in her head even through the phone. Jessica always did overthink things, but this time I don’t blame her. I’d overthink any decision involving me, too. “It’s just dinner, Jess. I can pick you up or you can drive yourself.”

“Thanks, but,” her voice is shaky and unsure, “I think I’ll pass. Please tell your mom I appreciate the offer but tonight isn’t good for me.”

I nod like she can see me, but I just can’t seem to find the words. I knew she’d say no, but I’m consumed with disappointment anyway. I clear my throat and force myself to respond. “I understand. If you change your mind, dinner is at six.”

“Thanks. I better go.” I hate that she’s in such a hurry to get off the phone. A part of me had hoped she’d be glad I called but that’s clearly not the case.

“I miss you.” The words just spill out against my will.

I hear her suck in a breath. “Matt,” she pauses, “I miss you, too. But this is too … Shit, I don’t know. I just need more time.”

She hangs up before I can respond. I let out a deep sigh and shove my phone in my back pocket. I didn’t expect much from her right now, but I’d hoped she would at least talk to me.

I head downstairs to find Emmie so we can leave. Might as well get this day over with. She’s sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table drawing in one of her notebooks. “Come on, Emmie. Let’s head over to Grandma’s house.”

“Okay, Daddy.” She hops up, jumps into my arms, and wraps her little arms around my neck. The unconditional love I get from this little girl causes my chest to tighten. I just hope she still loves me this much after today. Once I tell her and my entire family the bad news, I’m afraid I’m going to break her heart, too.

By the timeI pull up in front of Momma’s house, everyone else is already there. When I walk inside, I only find Momma and Camille finishing up dinner in the kitchen. “Where is everyone?” I ask.

“Hey, Matt.” Momma stops what she’s doing and gives me a hug. “On the back porch.” She looks behind me and frowns. “No Jessica?”

I shake my head. “She said she couldn’t make it but asked that I thank you for the invite.”

“That girl is too stubborn for her own good.” She turns back to the oven and grabs a mitt. “Do you mind telling everyone dinner is ready?”

I nod and head outside. Within minutes, the food is on the table, and everyone is sitting. I sigh at the empty seat to my right. Momma had held out hope that Jessica would come and set her a place. Seeing it empty is a reminder I don’t want right now. Despite how hard I tried to make things right with Jessica, I still managed to screw up.

I clear my throat and take a drink of my beer, another one of Joseph’s lagers. I might as well get this over with now. “I have something important to discuss tonight.”

The room falls silent, and every eye turns to me. I glance down at Emmie and she’s looking up at me with a hopeful gaze.Fuck, I hate myself for what I am about to do.“I’m really sorry, sweetheart, but I’ve gotta tell you something that’s not going to make you happy.”

Her face drops and tears immediately fill her eyes. “What is it, Daddy?”

“Remember how I said we were going to buy the house.” She nods and a few tears escape her eyes. “Well, I’m afraid that’s not going to happen now. We have to move.”

“But,” her lower lips trembles and her tears turn to waterworks, “You said it was ours forever.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I was wrong.”

“You … You lied!” She jumps up out of her seat and runs out of the room.

I stand to go after her, but Leann raises her hand and stops me. “I got her. She needs to cry it out for a bit. Let me calm her down.”

I nod and sit back down. The mix of emotions I see in my family only makes me feel worse. Momma looks like she’s about to cry. Adam looks like he wants to strangle me. Joseph looks at me like I’m a dumbass. Camille and Sam simply look confused like they don’t know how they should feel. I think I prefer their response over everyone else.

“But you can’t.” Momma is the first one to speak. “You and Jess belong together.”

“Unfortunately, you’re wrong. It’s past time I let her go. She deserves better.”

“Donotstart with that bullshit again.” Adam points his finger at me. “Momma’s right. You two belong together.”