They sat in silence watching Emily play.
“The puppy’s cute,” Stephen said after some time. “With a name like Frankenstein, I hadn’t expected that.”
She laughed. “He’s got a few scars, but he’s super sweet and gentle. Emily loves him.”
Stephen frowned. “What are you going to do when school starts?”
“That I’m not sure about, but the more time Emily spends with him, the more I realize we’ll figure it out. I talked to the landlord. When she heard how we found him and what happened to me, she waived the pet fee.” Maggie smiled. “That’s one thing not to worry about. Plus, look at him. He’s adorable. He suckered me into belly rubs all morning duringSpongeBob.”
Stephen chuckled and looked at her, his smirk one she’d always found amusing rather than annoying.
“Laugh it up, evil genius.” Her nickname for him that had stuck. “But he has to be out to potty at three and six am.”
Stephen blinked. “What?”
“No takebacks. He’s yours for the next two weeks.” Her smile felt really wide.
Stephen watched her, his expression unreadable.
“Stephen?”
“Do you ever think about us?”
Oh boy. Hadn’t seen that one coming.“Um, in what sense?”
“You know what I’m saying. About us. About our marriage. About our life together with Emily. About the amazing sex we used to have.”
“Whoa.Really putting that out there.” Yet any mention of sex and an “us” had her thinking about Reggie, not Stephen.
“I miss you, Maggie.”
“Stephen, where is this coming from? You and I have been divorced for three years, and you never once, in all that time, have discussed us reconnecting.” His eyes were still glassy, and she thought maybe she understood. “Oh, honey, it’s Leon. You miss him, and you want to go back to the past and the way things used to be. But Stephen, we’re different people now. I want different things in life. And so do you.”
“But Emily—”
“Is a wonderful little girl who loves her parents. That will never change. But I’ve moved on. I like myself, who I am now. And I know you do too. Together, we’d be unhappy, and that would make Emily unhappy.”
“Maybe.” He took her hand in his, the touch familiar and comforting, but it didn’t give her the same sparks Reggie did. “Sorry to get so emotional.” He pulled himself back, once again together, unfazed.
And that had been a huge part of their problems. Stephen hated letting himself feel more than arousal or superficial affection. Or at least, he’d never shown it. “That’s okay.” She wanted to phrase her next question just right, aware he was hurting. “Does Leon’s passing have to do with your decision to work remotely?”
“No. At first I loved all the travel, going overseas, all over the country. It was fun and helped my goals, broadening my network and helping my consulting. But it’s too much now. Plus, I’m going into a partnership with one of my clients in Denmark. It’s an opportunity for serious money and a chance to base out of Seattle. So I wouldn’t have to travel nearly as much.”
“That’s great.”
He studied her. Then he gave a slow smile. “I know you mean that.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You deserve it.”
“Even if my being here would mean I’d want equal time with Emily?”
She looked at him. “Stephen, I love my daughter. I know you love her too. No matter what you and I have gone through, we’ve both always put Emily before us. I’ll always respect you for that.” She admitted, “I won’t lie. It would be hard for me to not have her around all the time. She’s my world.”
He nodded, his eyes kind. “I know. I just want to be more involved in her life. You never tell me no when I ask for her. And you’re always there when something comes up and I can’t make it. Your support, your love for our daughter, that means the world to me.”
“She’s your daughter, Stephen. I would never hold her back from you.”
“God, I love you, Maggie. As a friend, I mean, don’t get panicked.” He laughed. “I can’t lie and say I’m not still attracted, but I respect you.”
