Page 123 of The Rules of Dating

“We just had a little mommy-and-daddy time,” Colby answered. He looked over at me. “Since she was nice enough to babysit for us.”

“We went to a movie and lunch,” Maya added.

Richard tilted his head curiously. “What movie did you see?”

“The new Tom Cruise one,” she said.

“Ah, yes. I saw it last weekend. It was very good.” He turned to Colby. “What was your favorite part?”

Colby scratched his chin. “That’s a tough one. I really like the whole dynamic between Goose’s son, Rooster, and Maverick.”

“Oh yeah. I loved that whole plotline.” He smiled, seeming to buy it.

Maya clung to Colby tighter. “We don’t get to the movies very often, so it was nice.”

My blood felt ready to boil.

“I have a ten-year-old, so I can relate to the need to get out.” Richard nodded.

Colby must have noticed my eyes fixed on Maya’s arm around him. I suspected he wanted to put me out of my misery. “Do you mind looking after Saylor while we talk to Officer Weber in private?” he asked me.

“Of course not.” I thumbed back toward her bedroom. “I’ll just go join her.”

I went back to Saylor’s room and found her still at the table she’d set up.

“I’m back, honey. Thank you for being such a good girl.”

“I heard Daddy. I wanted to run out to see him, but you told me to stay in here.”

“Yes!” I smiled. “Thank you for listening. It’s Daddy’s turn to talk to the man now. And as soon as he’s done, we can both go back out there. But the good news is, I’m done talking to the man and can play tea party with you now.”

As I sat down with Saylor and began pretending to drink some of the imaginary tea, I tried to make out what they were saying behind the door in the living area, but it was all faint and jumbled.

“Is there a lady out there, too?” Saylor asked.

Crap. “Yes. She’s an associate of Daddy’s who also came to talk to the man.”

“What’s her name?”

Hesitating, I answered, “Maya.”

“That’s a pretty name.”

I cringed. “Yeah, it is.” It was unsettling to appear jovial around Saylor when that bullshit was happening in the next room.

A few minutes later, the door burst open. “How’s my baby?” Colby headed straight to Saylor. It was like he couldn’t get to her fast enough.

“Daddy!” She ran to him.

Colby looked exhausted as he glanced at me and murmured, “He’s gone.”

He knelt and pulled her into a tight hug. “Were you the best girl ever while we were out there talking? Thank you so much, sweetheart.”

“I was, Daddy. Can I have orange chicken now?”

His shoulders sank. “Baby, I didn’t have a chance to pick up the food after all. I’m so sorry. But how about I make you your favorite homemade cheesy macaroni? You haven’t had that in a while.”

Her eyes lit up. “Okay.”