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“No, I get it. It’s not my place. Enjoy your shower.” She turned to walk away, but I caught her hand, drawing her close.

“I love that you look out for Maya, and honestly, I’m not thrilled about it either, but our agreement states Regina gets one visit a month. She just hasn’t called it in until now.”

Liv linked her arms around my waist. “Poor Maya.”

“I know. I hate knowing she won’t be here, but we’ll send her with a phone, and she can call us any time she needs. With the way you drive, I know we’ll be to the city in no time flat.”

“Hey,” she teased, a small smile on her face. “Thanks for explaining that, about the custody. I want to feel like I’m a...” She shook her head.

“What?” I asked.

“Like I’m your partner, not just a nanny.”

I lifted her chin and kissed her. “You’ll never be my partner. Because that implies we’re equals.”

Her lips pinched. “Excuse me?”

I tweaked her nose with a smile. “We both know you’re far better than I’ll ever be.”

The door opened, Maya and Graham coming back in, and Liv said, “Go get naked, Fletch.”

“I better hurry before you turn that curling iron on me,” I teased.

She rolled her eyes and continued getting ready with my daughter.

55

Liv

Doctor Deb’s retirement party was decorated so beautifully. There were twinkle lights out in the back garden area. The caterers brought a grill, and the smell of delicious food filled the air. Added with soft instrumental music playing, it was a beautiful way for the practice to turn over a new leaf.

My only complaint was that Maya was so busy playing with the other kids and Fletcher was getting reacquainted with so many people at the party that I didn’t get to spend much time with either of them. Luckily, Mom, Henrietta and Della were all there.

We found ourselves a table and took our drinks, sitting around and chatting.

“This is a great party,” Henrietta said.

Della nodded. “You know, it’s hard to believe that Rhett’s best friend is a doctor with his own practice.”

Mom laughed. “We all know Fletcher was the one keeping Rhett out of trouble most of the time... Speaking of, where is Rhett?”

I nodded toward a corner of the yard where Rhett was chatting up Brenda’s daughter. “Poor Morganne.”

Mom swatted me, but she was still smiling.

Della said, “I never imagined you being with a doctor either, Liv. I always figured some farmer would sweep you off your feet.”

Mom gave a dreamy smile. “They’ll be married and having babies before you know it.”

The table instantly tensed.

“What?” Mom asked. “You are thinking about marriage with him, right?”

That comment surprised me. Mom didn’t seem like one to rush into things. She’d never pressured me about marriage before. “What do you mean?”

Henrietta said, “Just that you two seem so happy together, right, Deidre?”

Mom sipped from her drink. “That and... I mean...” She took a breath.