“I want chicken,” Tabitha says.
“I’m sure we can find somewhere that does both. Let’s go.”
* * *
I get the kids to bed around nine and then grab a beer from the fridge. Once I’m settled on the sofa in front of the TV, I check my phone, smiling as I see I’ve got a text from Corey.
Corey:Today was fun, thank you, Daddy.
His text warms my heart. I’d been a little worried he might get cold feet about us, but if he was going to, I doubt he’d have called me Daddy.
Spence:You got home okay, sweet boy?
Corey:Yes. Lexi didn’t stop talking about the animals until her head hit the pillow. Then she fell asleep pretty much instantly.
Spence:I’m glad she had a good time. She and Robbie seemed to get along.
Corey:Yeah. I’m just sorry she didn’t talk to you much.
Spence:I’ve told you, don’t worry about it. She’ll warm up to me.
Corey:How can you be so sure?
Spence:Because everyone does.
I imagine Corey laughing as he reads my text. A moment later, my phone rings.
“Hi, Daddy,” Corey says. “Texting’s great and all, but I’d rather hear your voice.”
“I’m glad you called, sweet boy.”
“Tabitha and Robbie are in bed, aren’t they?” There’s a note of concern in his voice.
I chuckle. “Yes. They’re both fast asleep.”
“What are you doing?”
“Sort of watching TV. Drinking a beer. You?”
“Pretty much the same.” Corey sighs. “I wish you were here. Or I was there. One or the other.”
“So do I. I didn’t get to kiss you nearly enough today.” I drink some beer, but the feel of the hard bottle against my lips is a poor substitute for kissing Corey.
“I didn’t get to touch you enough,” he whispers.
I hum in agreement. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance of seeing you over the next couple of days, is there? We could take Lexi to the cinema?”
“What about Tabitha and Robbie?”
“They’re going home after lunch tomorrow. Cinema? It’s half term. There will be at least one half-decent kids’ film.”
Corey laughs. “I think I can put up with a half-decent film, especially if I get to hold your hand.”
“I’m not sure kids’ films arethatscary.”
His laughter becomes louder, and he snorts a couple of times, which is frankly adorable. “I love you, Daddy.”
I forget to breathe. On the other end of the phone, I can hear Corey breathing sharply. Did his words surprise him as much as me? I let his statement sink in and try to figure out how I would feel if it’s true, if he really does love me. Giddiness wells up within me, and I realise I want it to be true.
