“No, not yet. Jen wants to tell them this week.”
She swallowed hard. “Okay. Thanks. Text me and let me know what time you plan to pick them up this Friday.”
“Sure. See you then.”
Oakley set her phone down carefully. Suddenly she missed the satisfaction of slamming down a landline.
For the past decade, Trent had told her that he didn’t want more kids.
He didn’t want to adopt again. He didn’t want to foster. He was done.
But he wasn’t done having kids.
He was just done with her.
She took a deep breath and dredged up some gratitude for the small mercy of hearing the news from him instead of the girls. Now she would be able to focus on supporting them; she wouldn’t betray the shock or disgust that she felt in that moment.
Jennifer was the same age as Zoe.
The age gap between Trent and his new bride wasgenerational. It was the same as the age difference between Zoe and her parents – or Oakley andherparents.
The whole thing made her want to hurl.
“It’s none of my business,” Oakley said aloud.
She took another deep breath, trying to master the sinking feeling that threatened to pull her under.
“He’s getting on with his life. I need to get on with mine.”
Oakley grabbed her phone and walked around the counter. Then she sank into the nearest chair.
She pulled up a rental listing that she had been drooling over since it was posted the day before. A gorgeous house right there in Pualena, and for a reasonable price too.
Or it would be, for a family of six.
It was much too big for her and the girls. She couldn’t justify the cost, not with her income so low. At least, that’s what shehad been telling herself.
She copied the link and sent it to Anne. Then she called her.
“Hey sis. That house is gorgeous. Is that your new place?”
“It might be,” Oakley said. “Still want to get out of Mom’s house?”
“Very much so, yes.”
“And you’re sure you don’t want to move in with Noah?”
“Not yet. Not with all the teens.”
“So move in with me.” There was a beat of silence, and she pushed forward. “That place is too big for me and the girls, but if we moved in together–”
“I’m in.”
“I could put a bunk bed in the master bedroom and share it with the girls, and then you and your kids could have the other rooms.”
“Sounds great.”
“It would cost a lot less than us each renting our own place.”
