Page 12 of Living for Truth (Broken Shelves #2)

It’s so silent for a minute, I think she hung up, but then she clears her throat. “Morgan. How are you?” Her voice wobbles a bit.

“I'm fine, Whitney. Know who isn’t fine? Our daughter. She’s cried twice in the last week because her mom won’t talk to her.”

I can practically hear her eyes roll as she says, “Oh, please, she’s being dramatic. I’ve talked with her plenty. Sorry I can’t be at her beck and call day in and day out. I have a life of my own, Morgan.”

My jaw tenses, and I remind myself fighting with her won’t do Aly any good, even if I have some choice words for her.

“It’s been almost a year since you’ve spent any time with her in person. If you don’t start upholding the custody agreement, I’m going to petition for full custody, and then you’ll never see her,” I threaten.

Whitney gasps. “How dare you threaten me? That would hurt Alyssa more in the long run.”

I shrug, even though she can’t see me. “I disagree. Her mother refusing to see or talk to her is hurting her. If I have full custody, she’ll at least know there’s no hope of you popping in and out of her life.

She needs consistency, Whitney. If you’re not going to be in her life consistently, I think it’s best if you’re not in her life at all. ”

There’s a long silence before I hear her huff. “Fine. She wanted to see me for Mother’s Day. I have something on Sunday, but we can go to lunch on Saturday. I’ll come pick her up at ten and spend the day with her.”

“Fine. You have to text or call her to let her know. I’m not going to be the messenger for you. If you cancel or don’t show up, you don’t get any more chances. Do better for our daughter.”

I don’t bother with a proper goodbye to her, I just hang up the phone. As soon as I do, my screen lights up with a text from my butterfly. I smile when I see her name but immediately scowl when I see the contents of the message.

Hannah: Even though she’s not even in the state, my mother is still hovering. She’s apparently set me up on a date for Friday.

Morgan: How did she do that on vacation?

Hannah: They ran into an old family friend at the resort they’re staying at, and it just so happens their son moved to Salt Lake to go to the U for medical school. So now I’m supposed to go meet ANOTHER literal stranger for dinner.

The thought of Hannah out with another man makes me itch with jealousy. Especially a man who’s going to be a fucking doctor. I just own a fucking flowershop. What if she and this doctor dude hit it off and fall in love?

Morgan: You don’t seem super excited by the prospect of dating a doctor.

Hannah: I don’t care what he does for work. I keep telling my mom I don’t want to do the blind date thing anymore. She just won’t listen until I either have a mental breakdown or get a boyfriend.

Before I can even think about what I’m doing, I press the call button.

“Hello?” Hannah answers with a question in her voice.

How is it possible I missed her so much when I just saw her a few hours ago?

“What if I pretend to be your boyfriend?” I blurt out.

“What?”

“If you had a boyfriend, your mom would back off, right? So let me pretend to be your boyfriend. It would give you time to breathe and not have to suffer through any more blind dates.”

She’s silent for a minute before asking, “Why would you want to do that?”

I would get to spend more time with you, maybe get to hold your hand. Show you you can trust me, and hopefully you’ll fall in love with me.

I don’t say that even though it’s the truth.

“It would be an excuse to hang out with you more and get to know you better. Plus, I want you to be happy.”

“I don’t know if this is a good idea…” She sounds like she’s trying to convince herself of that, not me.

“It’s the best idea. Tell your mom you’re busy on Friday because your boyfriend is taking you on a date and you no longer need to be set up on blind dates.”

“She’s going to have a hard time believing it unless you physically come pick me up.”

“Done. Send me your address, and I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“You’re serious?”

“Wear something like you did today. Nice but not fancy.”

“I can’t tell if you’re joking.” She lets out an awkward laugh.

“Hannah, I’m dead serious. I’m taking you out on Friday. To your mom, it’ll be a date. To us, it’ll just be two friends hanging out.” I hate the word friends right now.

Hannah sighs. “Fine. Be prepared to be asked a million and one questions.”

“I’m prepared. I’ll see you Friday. Goodnight, Hannah.”

“Goodnight, Morgan.” She hangs up before I do.

Aly knocks on the door, so I do my best to wipe the smile off my face, but it’s damn hard when I’m this excited to take Hannah out on a date.

I just have to remind myself that for her, this is fake.

This is a means to an end for her, but if I can show her how good of a fake boyfriend I am, maybe she’ll want me to be her real one.

My daughter steps through the door already in her pajamas, and a glance at the clock tells me it’s almost bedtime.

“I just came to say goodnight. Mom texted and said she’s taking me to lunch the day before Mother’s Day.” She twists her pajama shirt anxiously in her hands. “Can you help me pick out a gift for her?”

I smile softly. “Of course, Bubs. Why don’t you make a list of things you think she’d like, and we’ll pick something together?”

“Okay. Thanks, Dad. I’m going to go to bed. I love you.” She rounds the desk and wraps her arms around my neck in a tight hug.

I engulf her in my own arms, relishing these moments before she decides she’s too old for hugs. “I love you too, Aly. Sweet dreams, sweet girl.”