“No passport?” I blinked.
“No passport.” Her jaw was rigid.
We’d never get one in time.Fuck.Another time I’d disappointed my daughter. “Then I can’t keep her that weekend since I have to go on this work retreat. Can we switch weekends?”
“Goddammit, Cole. You’re always fucking with the schedule.”
“I’m sorry. Again. I can’t help it. It’s mandatory.” Fucking Bridget. Admittedly, she didn’t know about my custody arrangement. Being a divorced dad wasn’t unusual in my line of work, but it wasn’t a badge of honor either, so I kept quiet about it. But she hadn’t asked before she’d scheduled the retreat for my weekend with my daughter. “Look, I’ll take her for Thanksgiving. We’ll spend it with my family. You can have her for Christmas this year.”
“You’re sure?” She fisted her hands on her hips. “You want her four days in a row?”
“I wanted her for an entire week,” I reminded her.
“Okay. Eli and I have been wanting to get away. We could go to Napa. Not far. Just in case.”
“It won’t be a problem. You’ll see.” Four days with my daughter would be exhausting, but I’d use it to prove I was trustworthy enough to keep her during the school year. And with the advantages I could give her, including private school, she’d have the educational experience she needed to succeed as a Campion. Though I was still pissed that Bridget had fucked up my custody plan.
I could fuck with her too. Assuming I even needed to. This retreat haddisasterstamped across the top. If I let her plan it all and lead it, when it inevitably went to shit, Bridget would be the one everyone blamed.
And I’d be the one left looking like a hero.
7
ONE STAR. DO NOT RECOMMEND.
Exercise regimen?
Bridget:I have a gym membership. I go occasionally to swim and do a halfhearted weight training circuit.
Cole:I have two gym memberships: a regular gym and a climbing gym. I also run five miles a day during the week and ten on weekends and holidays.
BRIDGET
Iopened my door to a mass of women standing in the hallway, led by my Amazonian friend, Tessa. “You missed Halloween, and I don’t have any candy left,” I said. “I stress-ate it.”
Tessa sailed through the door. “We’re not here for your candy. We’re here to see you before you go on your trip.”
“Did I invite you over and forget?” I asked.
“You’ve been too busy for us lately, so we invited ourselves,” Justine said as she followed Tessa inside.
She wasn’t wrong. With all the planning for the San José visit and the retreat, plus keeping Cole in line and doing my damn job, I’d neglected my friends. I’d only called my sisters and parents to check in and hadn’t gone out with my girl gang since the week after my—our—promotion.
“We brought snacks.” Savannah carried an insulated bag.
“And a travel wardrobe.” My stylist friend, Carly, walked in next with a black paper shopping bag stuffed to the top with clothes.
“Sorry,” Lucie said. “All I brought is Mia.” She turned so I could see the baby strapped to her back.
“Aw,” I cooed. “You win. Can I hold her?”
“Sure, just unclip?—”
“I got it. My sister Megan has a similar one.” I released Mia from the carrier and lifted her into my arms. “Who’s a beautiful, smart girl?” Mia put her sticky hands on my cheeks and laughed as I made a silly face.
“We all are,” Lucie said, stretching her back. “I’m going to sit for a minute.”
“God, how do you do it?” I asked.
