“We spend lots of time together.”
She huffs at me.
“But I’ll make sure we spend more time together. I can’t pick you up from school, but I know you and Blake have lots of fun together.”
I tickle her tummy, making her squirm and laugh. Then her expression turns sour again as if she’s remembering she’s supposed to be mad at me.
“Spence is important to me, Lexi. You don’t have to like him, but you do have to at least be polite to him. He hasn’t done anything wrong. You don’t mind Archie and Blake having friends who aren’t you, do you?”
“They’re not you.”
I force myself to smile. “I’m allowed to have friends, Lexi.”
She sniffs.
“Please give Spence a chance?”
She lifts her chin and looks away from me.
I sigh, unsure what else to say or do. “I’ll make us some dinner.”
She turns and stomps up the stairs to her room. I wait until she closes her door, relieved she doesn’t slam it. I repeat Spence’s words in my head.She will come around.Shewillcome around.
* * *
I wait until Lexi has been in bed for an hour before calling Spence. For once, I’m actually glad Archie and Blake are out, as it means I can stay downstairs to talk to Spence.
“Hi, sweet boy,” he says.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Are you okay?”
I lie on the sofa with my hand over my eyes. “I will be.”
“Talk to me?”
“I don’t know what to do about Lexi’s jealousy,” I admit. “I tried talking to her about it but didn’t really get anywhere.”
“She’s only just met me,” Spence reminds me. “Give her time.”
“She was really rude to you today, and that’s not okay. I told her she has to at least be polite to you in the future.”
“Am I the first serious partner you’ve had since Caroline left?”
“Yes. You’re definitely the first person I’ve even considered introducing to her.”
“Then it’s probably a shock to her that she suddenly has to share you.”
“She mentioned work too,” I say. “And she’s right. I do spend too much time working and not enough time with her.”
“You’re juggling a lot, but you’re also doing your best to be a great dad and a fantastic teacher.”
“And a good boyfriend?” I venture.
“You’re a very good boy.”
The way he says it makes me tingle.
