There’s a minute before Danika replies.
I’ll call on Monday and let you know. Any any days you can’t do?
They discuss arrangements for a few minutes. The need to say more, something that will take them back to how they were, pulses in Kim’s chest. Would that be breaking their tacit agreement to put all that they could be aside until the big issues have been sorted? But she can’t just let it go.
I still sleep with you every night. You’re here in the dent of the pillow you used, in your scent on the sheets. I hope, when this is resolved, we can pick up where we left off.
She waits, staring at the phone. There are no bouncing dots.
More giggles from the bedroom, but they’re softer now, as if the kids are sliding toward sleep. Finally.
I’d like that too. That night was something special for me. I don’t want to go back to how I was. You’ve given me the freedom to try, Kim. And I want to try with you, if you still want that.
She wants that. Oh, how she does. Her fingers fumble, and she makes typo after typo as she tries to send a fast reply. Because letting Danika think she’s indifferent to the two of them is the last thing she wants.
I do want that. I care about you so much. I want whatever we can be.
For a moment, there’s no reply, but then a string of hearts appears.
The pressure in Kim’s chest, a tension that’s been there since she and Danika started this discussion, eases just a fraction. A lawyer who sounds human.
A potential way forward.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Danika
“I have to say, this is possibly my most unusual request for assistance so far.” Alan Doodson links his hands on his desk and smiles at them. “I’ve represented both parties before—mediated an agreement, if you will—but never in this exact situation. I’m happy to act for both of you and will do my utmost to come up with a fair solution for you and your daughters. In turn, I expect you to be honest with me about your needs and expectations so we can reach an agreement that is acceptable to you both.”
Danika looks at Kim, eyebrow raised.
Kim nods.
“I’m happy to proceed,” Danika says.
“You can take your time,” Alan says. “From what I understand, there’s no rush. I want you both to be confident I’m the best person to assist you.” He stands. “I’ll hunt down my assistant to bring us some coffee. If we’re lucky, there may be biscuits too.” The door closes behind him.
“I feel good about him,” Kim says. “Rightly or not, I feel I can trust him. I liked his explanation of how he’ll go about it. Research the law, consider our individual circumstances, assets, situation with Chris. The girls. He seems thorough.”
“Me too,” Danika says. “Compiling the asset lists will take the longest. I’ll have to remember what was mine to start with, what Chris and I bought together, and when. I’m not sure how to do that. Who keeps old receipts? I Marie Kondo’d them out of my life years ago.”
Kim laughs. “I have less than you, but yeah, same-same. Why don’t we just do our honest best? I’m not going to argue with you over who bought the air fryer and whether a picture was a personal gift or a joint investment.”
“Alan is thorough,” Danika agrees. “I’m happy with that.” She waits until Kim looks at her. “I still trust you, Kim. And I want this to be fair.”
One tiny part of her mind wonders if it’s even necessary. But that is really a thousand steps too far. Nothing lasts forever—and Chris showed her that the person you’d trust with your life can turn out to be the most untrustworthy of all. No, she needs a calm, cool head. She needs that asset list. And yes, she trusts Kim. Now she does. But if Kim, after all this, goes for the jugular for Bella’s sake, well, she will fight back.
But at this moment, she trusts Kim, and she’s confident about Alan.
And right now, even in a smart lawyer’s office, one part of her mind is thinking about Kim naked. Kim and her naked, and the things they did together.
She wants that back.
“You promised,” Cami whines. “You did.”
“I promised we could get a puppy for your birthday this year, yes,” Danika says. “But that’s not for another month.”
And now, with things so up in the air, she’s not sure where they’ll be living in a month’s time. A smaller house? An apartment that may not have a yard? How will she cope with a puppy then?
