Her phone immediately rang again, as it did regularly throughout the day and often during the night, too. Since she was a virtual personal assistant, she had three large clients. In three very different time zones.
This was her job. Her business. The thing that, aside from her children, brought her the most joy.
Most days.
This time, however, it was her ex calling. The father of her eight-year-old twins and the supposed-to-be one-night stand that turned intowaymore than either of them had bargained for.
Mouthing,I’m sorry, she immediately pressed the phone to her ear. “Gavin?”
Molly rolled her eyes, shaking her head, while making gagging noises unbefitting the cookie she still worked on.
“Rach.” He did not sound like he was anywhere near the baseball field, or in a car on the way to the baseball field. No, he sounded like he was in an airport.
A slight feeling of vertigo pulled at Rachel, like the gravitational field of the earth seemed to get stronger.
No. He needed to be at the game. The boys were so excited.
She gripped the phone in her hand and closed her eyes.
Gavin’s a good guy. Gavin’s a good guy. Gavin’s a good guy.
“What’s up?” she asked, hoping her perky tone betrayed the inner turmoil swirl, willing him to say he was on his way to the game to see their boys even though she knew deep down he wasn’t and she’d work her magic and all would be well. The only one who would pay the price was her.
“Dakota has a last-minute installation in Boston,” Gavin said, obviously distracted because he was Gavin. Distracted. “We’re heading there for the weekend. I’ll be back in time to help set up for the boys’ party, but we’re going to miss tonight.”
Yes, gravity. Her legs felt heavier by the second.
“Gavin, they want you there.”They need you there.
“If I could be there, I would, you know that.”
She did. Sort of.
He sounded genuine. Then again, he always sounded genuine. Genuine was Gavin’s thing. If Gavin had a thing.
Dakota and Gavin had been engaged for a while. He worked tons of hours, in an office. Dakota, meanwhile, had carved out a name for herself as an artist who painted, and sculpted, a variety of animals in bathtubs.
Yes, this was a thing.
Dakota worked tons of hours with this gig and was, as Gavin had explained, kind of a big deal. Rachel didn’t mind her. She was nice to Rachel’s kids, and that’s what mattered.
Meanwhile, Rachel also worked tons of hours…from her home office, so custody and the majority of childcare had been delegated to her.
Which was fine because, as she’d insisted and they’d agreed, the boys needed her stability.
“Rachel?” Dakota had apparently confiscated the phone from Gavin.
“Hey, Dakota.” Rachel struggled to hold her phone and pull on her shoes simultaneously.
Dakota?Molly mouthed rolling her eyes dramatically with more gagging sounds.
Rachel nodded, ignoring her friend to focus on the conversation. Molly hated Dakota.
“Gavin and I sent the boys a surprise for their birthday. It’ll be there tomorrow. I hate to ask, but would you mind—”
“I’ll grab a video for you.” Rachel hopped to stand, mentally rehearsing what she would say to the kids so they wouldn’t feel the entire sting of this disappointment.Your dad wanted to make it tonight, but he had to go to Boston. Don’t worry, he has a big surprise for you both.
“You’re the best.” Dakota’s muffled voice sounded as though she’d covered the speaker before she spoke.
