Page 143 of With a Cherry On Top

“And then I didtwospins on the bars,” Sadie says around a mouthful of cheese, beaming. “Did you see?”

“I did,” Charlotte says solemnly. “I don’t know how you didn’t get dizzy. That was some Olympic-level stuff.”

Sadie giggles, and I just sit back, watching them together.

“Lucy’s mom says you’re dating my daddy,” she says out of nowhere.

Charlotte, mid-sip of water, chokes so hard she nearly spits it out. Her eyes widen and she thumps a fist against her chest as if trying to force the water down.

“Shit,” she gasps, dropping her slice of pizza onto her plate.

“Daddy, she said a?—”

“I know, sweetheart.” I shoot Charlotte a look, a mix of amusement and warning, before turning back to Sadie. “Charlotte and I are friends, just like the two of you.”

Sadie frowns, as if dissecting my words. Then she shifts her gaze to Charlotte. “We’re friends?”

Charlotte dabs at her lips. “Sure we are. I let you pick the biggest slice.”

Sadie lifts her chin. “I need it more than you! I’m still growing.”

Charlotte laughs, a full, warm sound that seeps under my skin and settles there. She watches me as she bites into her slice, eyes bright and happy.

“So are you having dinner with us again?” Sadie asks between chews.

“Would that be okay with you?” Charlotte asks.

“Yes! Daddy smiles more.”

I grin, ruffling her hair before meeting Charlotte’s gaze. She playfully widens her eyes. “Hear that? Even your daughter thinks you have no poker face.”

“Ha-ha.”

“Daddy, can we watchBlueyafter dinner?”

“Sure, sweetheart.”

Sadie picks up her crust and chews absentmindedly. I’m so proud of her, even though she dragged me onto a stage to embarrass myself. Today was hard for us, but Amelie was right. We made it. “Are you happy, love?”

She nods and points at the biggest slice of pizza still in the carton. “Dibs!”

Charlotte sets the slice on her plate as I say, “Last one. We don’t want you to get a tummy ache, huh?”

The doorbell rings just as I take a sip of my drink, so I set my glass down and push back my chair, then walk to the door.

The moment I open it, my breath catches in my throat.

Josie.

For a beat, I just stare at her. I should probably be annoyed she showed up here without warning, but all I feel is relief. She’s here.Finally, she’s going to see her daughter.

Before I can even find the words, Josie brings a finger to her lips, her eyes flicking past me toward the house. She gestures for me to step outside.

I hesitate, glancing over my shoulder, then step out and pull the door almost shut behind me.

She shifts on her feet, arms crossing over her chest like she’s bracing herself. “Hi. I...want to talk to you.”

If she wants to talk out here, it means Sadie’s not supposed to hear. Is it bad news? I don’t think I can take her saying she’s going back to rehab again. “Okay.”