“Annette on a date. Has that ever happened before?”
“As far as I know, not since Trevor Senior was alive.”
“Listen, tell her to invite Miles for my birthday, too—or is the thing with Miles too new for that?”
“How about we see how it goes this Friday night and take it from there?”
Before they hung up, he reminded her to call him if she needed anything. “I mean it, Riley. Anything.”
Too soon, he was gone. She picked up the remote again and then set it back down.
For a few minutes there, it had felt like it used to be—the two of them always making plans, always in touch, constantly together. But now she had a feeling she wouldn’t hear from him again until the ultrasound next week. She missed him already.
Things just weren’t like they used to be. And she couldn’t help wishing she had the power to turn back time.
Chapter Nine
“Got a minute?” Josh asked Lenore Saturday morning when he dropped off Shane at her house.
His ex stepped back. “What’d I do now?”
He answered patiently, “It’s not about you, Lenore.”
She frowned, but then she sent Shane off to put his things in his room. Once he disappeared down the long hallway, she turned to Josh again. “Okay. Hit me with it.”
“So…” Damn. Why did this feel so awkward? “The thing is, it’s getting to be time to tell Shane about the new baby. I just thought you’d maybe want a heads-up on that.”
Her expression was completely unreadable. For a moment, she didn’t speak. Finally, she asked, “When will you tell him?”
“I was thinking the next time he’s with me. I just wanted you to be aware that it was happening.”
She gave a half shrug. “I get it. I mean, one way or another he’s got to know.”
While her response was not particularly kind or understanding, at least it was calm and reasonable. Josh found he was more than a little surprised.
Lenore looked at him sideways. “What? I’m shocking you somehow?”
“No! Of course not…”
She actually laughed. “It’s okay, Josh. Life goes on, right?”
He realized that he was holding his breath. Letting it out carefully, he replied, “Yeah. It does.”
“Okay then. And do me a favor?”
“Uh, sure.”
“Don’t look at me like you’re wondering what I did with therealLenore.”
“I’m not,” he lied.
She waved a hand. “Pfft. Truth is, I took your advice and joined a single parents’ group down in Buffalo.”
“Wow. That’s great, Lenore.”
“Yeah, well. I’ve only been to one meeting, but so far, so good. I mean, it’s time I got on with my life, you know?”
“Good for you.”
