“Anytime. Keep me updated on any developments.”
“I will,” she promised before ending the call.
Setting her phone down, Chloe stared through the window at the fading light. She couldn’t think of any way that Paul could still see Oscar if they went to Türkiye. Unless he wanted to get on a plane and fly halfway around the world.
With a sigh, she stood and walked across to the kitchen door. Oscar was adding a moat to his castle, his face lit with excitement.
“Mom! Look at this!” he exclaimed, pointing proudly at his creation.
She mustered a smile. “It’s amazing, sweetheart.”
“Can we build a drawbridge next?”
“That sounds like a good way for everyone to get into the castle,” she replied, walking over to sit beside him. For a moment, she allowed herself to be absorbed in his world, pushing aside her worries.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Liam.
Hey, how are you doing? Any updates?
She typed back,Just spoke with Laura. Need to talk. Can I call you?
His response was immediate.Call now. I’m in my room at the hotel.
Chloe pushed a lock of hair off Oscar’s forehead. “I’m going to talk to Liam. Can you finish the drawbridge on your own?”
He picked up a red brick and nodded. “After I’ve finished the drawbridge, my dinosaurs are stomping into the castle.”
She smiled at the concentrated frown on his face. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
Once she was sitting at the kitchen table, Chloe called Liam and told him what Laura had said. “I’d love to take Oscar to Türkiye, but it’ll make it difficult for Paul to see more of Oscar.”
Liam didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “What are you thinking of doing?”
“I need to talk to Paul,” she said. “Explain our plans and see if we can reach some kind of agreement.”
“Do you think he’ll be okay with Oscar living in a different country?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Chloe admitted. “Paul says he wants to be more involved in Oscar’s life, and I don’t want to seem like I’m trying to take Oscar away from him.”
“Maybe if he knows it’s temporary, he’ll understand,” Liam suggested.
“That’s what I’m hoping,” she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
“Mom! Come see the drawbridge!” Oscar called from the living room.
Chloe smiled despite the weight on her shoulders. “Coming!” she called back to Oscar.
“Hold on a second, Liam,” she said into the phone. “Oscar wants me to see his drawbridge.”
“Go and enjoy some time with him,” Liam replied gently. “I can call you later.”
Chloe stood beside the kitchen counter. “Before I go, how was the meeting with the publishers?”
“It was great. I met the editorial team and we talked about the new series they want to publish. I’ll tell you more when I call later. Is nine o’clock too late?”
“It’s perfect. I’ve missed having you here today.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” Liam said softly. “Say hi to Oscar from me.”
