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“Only because she didn’t want to wait to get married,” I reminded her. “But she had the agreement the full seven days required in California before she signed.”

“You’re talking about contracts while our baby girl is grieving.” Courtney sniffled, and I wondered if she bothered to try to make actual tears gather in her eyes when nobody was there to see them. “I’ve always known you were heartless, but I cannot believe you’re this uncaring about the loss of our grandchild.”

I scrubbed my palm down my face with a deep sigh. “Of course I’m sad about the miscarriage. But I don’t see what that has to do with you calling me to discuss a fully executed prenup that already went into effect when Ellie got married.”

“There was a baby on the way. Now there isn’t, and that husband of hers can walk whenever he wants. I talked to her this morning, and we both agree you should have pushed for better terms.”

I shook my head at her explanation. For a woman who had just accused me of not having feelings, she sounded more upset over our daughter’s prenup than her miscarriage. “It’s done. They’re married. Maybe the next time you speak with Ellie, you can encourage her to worry about making things work with her husband instead of how much money she’d get if they divorce.”

“You’re the last person anyone should take relationship advice from,” she spat. “Which our daughter knows because you were never around when she was growing up.”

I had to clench my jaw to stop myself from arguing. Courtney had fought me for everything in our divorce, using Ellie as a weapon whenever she wasn’t getting her way. Including convincing her to tell the judge she preferred being with her mom, which resulted in my custody time being more limited than I had wanted.

“Then why are you calling?” I finally asked.

“Draft a postnup. Something that protects her if this all falls apart.”

I wasn’t surprised by her demand. “If Ellie wants me to⁠—”

She didn’t let me finish. “Our daughter will do as I say.”

That was the problem in a nutshell. Courtney had too much influence on Ellie, and she never seemed to use it in ways that would enrich our daughter’s life. “Tell her to send me what she wants, and I’ll draft something. That’s all I’m agreeing to.”

“Fine.”

She hung up, and I heaved a deep sigh of relief as I set the receiver down. I’d talked to my ex-wife more in the past six months than I had in the year prior. After the wedding, I’d hoped that would change. Apparently not.

The reminder of what Courtney was like should have scared me off Celia. I had spent years keeping my dating life casual because my track record proved that I had awful taste in women. That meant avoiding women who wanted something serious because I wasn’t interested in breaking anyone’s heart.

I had no idea if Celia was already involved with someone else. Suppose she was hoping to fall in love and get married if she wanted to build a family or have children of her own.

But I wanted to find out, which was a danger in and of itself.

8

CELIA

Iwas unpacking groceries in my kitchen when Serena called. After wiping my hands, I answered in speaker mode. “If this is about the ridiculous tip you gave me on Saturday, I regret to inform you there are no takebacks. I’ve already spent a chunk of it on a new enameled cast iron dutch oven and everything I need to make braised beef short ribs in it tonight.”

“Yum. Remind me to have you come over and cook those for us sometime soon.”

Sliding the butcher-paper-wrapped meat onto the counter, I grinned. “I could special order wagyu beef short ribs since Hudson loved the filet so much.”

“Sold,” she cheerfully agreed. “Mark us down for three Saturdays from now if you’re available. The press junket will be over, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with your food.”

I pulled up my calendar app and put her down for that evening. “Done.”

“Fantastic.” She sounded pleased with herself. “But your incredible food isn’t why I called. Julian asked for your number.”

I pulled the Carnaroli rice for the risotto out of my reusable shopping bag. “Serena.”

“I know. You literally just told me not to set you up with anyone only two days ago. But he asked, and it didn’t feel right to tell him no without running it past you first.”

Walking over to the balcony, I stared outside while considering how to answer. I’d been completely honest with Serena about my lack of interest in dating. But then I met Julian, and there was no denying I’d felt the chemistry between us. Or that he’d been on my mind a lot since then.

“If I say yes, you don’t get to plan a date I haven’t even agreed to yet.”

“I would never.”