As if thinking about Alex summons him to me, a black truck appears on the curb. He exits, then helps Miles out of the back seat.
My foot taps the pavement uncontrollably, schooling my smile so that it’s more subdued, polite. I want to come across as friendly, fun, not too eager.
Oh, I hope he likes me.
They’re in new, matching Cincinnati Reds hats, so adorable that my heart twinges, heels rising up off the pavement on tiptoe as my hands press together. Alex gives me a huge grin and a hug hello, smelling of sweat and popcorn.
“Hi,” I say tentatively to Miles, who’s jumping around pointing his giant foam finger at passersby. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Did you have fun at the baseball game?”
“Can we have macaroni and cheese when we get home?”
Alex sweeps him off his feet, upside down. Tickles him while Miles laughs and wriggles. “Sure, we can have macaroni and cheese. Romina? You vote yes for macaroni and cheese?” He sets Miles back on his feet, then stage-whispers, “Romina’s a big-time cheese fan. I think we’ve got this in the bag.”
Miles jumps up and down. “Say yes, say yes!”
I pretend to deliberate. “Hmmm.Yes.”
“Hooray!” Miles punches the air with both fists. “Romina, do you want to watchMoanawith us? Daddy said you’re coming over to watch a movie.”
“I would love to, Moana’s one of my favorite Disney princesses. It has great songs, too.” My eyes flick up to Alex, who smiles.
“Are you and my daddy friends?”
“She’s my girlfriend,” Alex answers for me. “She’ll hang out with us sometimes. I promise she’s cool.”
“Maybe you and I can be friends,” I tell Miles, hope creeping up inch by inch. “Would you like to have another friend?”
His response is rapid-fire. “Do you play Roblox?”
My mouth opens. Is this the deciding factor?
Alex grins. “Doyou?”
“I can learn!” I insist. Here’s the Romina who read stories to kids at daycare, putting on accents and sound effects, who helped them craft Popsicle stick picture frames and sing silly songs while pulling silly expressions.
“Yeah, I like new friends.” Miles pokes me with the foam finger, then laughs and jumps away, his grin so much like his father’s that I can’t help but melt. And all in a moment, I know the answer to a question that’s plagued me for years.
If I had the power to go back in time and change it all with a snap of my fingers, I wouldn’t do it. I still would have called off the engagement, would have watched us break up, go our separate ways. In an alternate reality where we didn’t, there would be no Miles.
And who wants that reality?
Not me.
“This place looks SO COOL,” Miles says, spinning around. “Can I buy something?”
“Yeah, sure.” Alex hands him five bucks. “Make it quick, though. We’ve gotta get home and get started on that mac and cheese.”
“Yeah, okay!” Miles bolts off.
I look back at Alex, amazed. “Didn’t he used to be shy?”
“Not when he’s fueled with junk food and spent the day cheering in a stadium. This is slap-happy Miles.”
He sifts his fingers through my hair. “I am so happy,” he tells me, voice low. Alex’s smile is warm as August.
I bury my face in his chest, breathing him in. “Me, too.”
A contented humming reverberates against my cheek. “Romina?”
