Page 30 of Off Limits

I made myself concentrate and studied the document in my hands, taking my time until I understood what I was reading. It was a transfer of custody document. Not from me to Keli and Alessandro. Fromhertome.

I looked down at the backpack and lunch box with a sudden realization. My eyes shot over to Evanne, who smiled up at me with that wide, beautiful smile of hers.

“I’m going to Italy,” Keli said.

I blinked. “Come again?”

“To be with Alessandro.”

“Keli–”

“I’m giving you full custody.”

I choked on my words. “How long–?”

“I don’t know, which is why I had my lawyer draw this up instead of just changing primary custody. I didn’t want there to be any legal issues.”

I had to be hearing things. Maybe I was dreaming. Maybe I’d hit my head. Evanne was prodding me in the leg with Norbert’s plush horn and giggling. Okay, maybe I was dead. That would explain everything.

“It wouldn’t be fair to take her somewhere she doesn’t know the language,” Keli continued. “And…Alessandro doesn’t want…” She pursed her lips, as if she had to carefully consider what she said next. “I can’t build a relationship in a new country with a child.”

“Don’t you think that means–”

“Don’t,” she said sharply, holding up a hand. “You have no idea how hard it is dating when you’re a single mom. I was so lucky to find Alessandro.”

I gritted my teeth. “It wasn’t like you didn’t have a say in the custody agreement to begin with. You can’t just–”

“Once Alessandro and I get settled, I’ll call, and we’ll discuss what happens next,” Keli interrupted, kneeling to hug Evanne as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb in the middle of my life. “Bye-bye, baby girl. You’re gonna be good for Daddy like we talked about, right?”

“Uh huh,” Evanne agreed. That little line between her eyebrows said that she sensed something was off.

That tended to happen when people were blindsided.

Keli didn’t look at me as she kept talking to our daughter. “And you’re gonna get good grades and have fun at school, right?”

“Are you and Daddy fighting?” Evanne asked, her bright blue eyes shining with the threat of tears.

“No, baby,” Keli said immediately.

“No, pumpkin, no,” I said just as quickly, patting the top of her head.

“I’ll call soon, okay?” Keli said with a bright, cheerful smile. “No tears, now. Remember our deal.”

Evanne nodded, sniffling.

“That’s my girl.” Keli kissed Evanne on the forehead and stood up again. “I have to go, Alec,” she said in a quiet, hurried tone. “Remember, school starts Tuesday at eight o’clock. All the information is on the schedule. You’ll do great.”

“Keli.” I took a step toward her, but she was already opening the door.

She waved to Evanne, mouthing, “Bye-bye!”

“Keli,” I said again, more insistently.

“Call you soon!” she said, turning around and walking away.

I opened my mouth, but it was too late. Keli was gone.

“Can we have pizza for supper every day?” Evanne asked me, smiling shyly. She seemed to still be on the edge of crying, unsure whether everything was okay or not. Pizza was always a good distraction.