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Deep down, I know some space will be good for all of us, but being separated just feels wrong. “I just want you to be safe. And you know you can see Penny whenever you want.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” She smiles, but her eyes are full of sadness.

After loading all of her boxes in our vehicles, we drive to the house she’s renting across town with her friends. The neighborhood looks safe and clean, and there’s a security system just like she said.

It’s time for me to let go.

Once everything is unloaded, I step back and look at the empty trunk space in my Bronco. My eyes burn with tears and I try to shake them away.

Emily walks outside to say goodbye but stops in her tracks when she takes in my somber expression.

“Don’t cry, Drew,” she groans. “You’re going to make me cry.”

“Sorry, Em.” I swipe a tear away with the back of my hand.

She attempts to sling her arm around my shoulders, but I’m almost a foot taller than her. She inherited my mom’s petite stature. “I’m only twenty minutes away, and I’ll see you Saturday for dinner, okay?”

I sniff. “I know, I know. It’s just not going to be the same.”

She takes a deep breath. “I don’t say this enough, but I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I know it wasn’t easy for you to finish school and do your residency while making sure I was taken care of, but you did it. You were my inspiration to finish my MBA, no matter what life threw at me,” Emily says, her voice thick with emotion. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, baby sister.” I pull her into a hug, and she reluctantly pats me on the back a few times before pulling away.

“Alright, enough of the water works. Get out of here,” she says playfully with a wink, making me chuckle.

Friday evening, I arrive home from work, excited about my date with Mariah, or at least hopeful the evening will go well. After showering, I pull on a dark blue t-shirt and some khaki shorts. Mariah said to dress casually, and I’m hoping this isn’t too casual.

Mariah insisted on picking me up, obviously excited to surprise me. I’ve contemplated all week whether or not to introduce her to Penny, and I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I might as well. It’s just an introduction, and if children freak Mariah out for some reason, I’d rather find out now.

Sophie agreed to watch Penny tonight, and Penny is thrilled to spend the evening with her and Samantha.

I squirt a drop of gel into my hands and run my fingers through my thick hair. I’m not really a gel guy, but I want to look good for my date tonight.

After giving myself a spritz of cologne, I walk back out into the main room where Sophie is serving chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese to two very excited little girls. Sophie definitely wasn’t lying about her cooking abilities. She seems to be the queen of the microwave. I’ve thought about teaching her how to make a few simple meals, but I don’t want to come across condescending. Knowing how her mom can be, I definitely wouldn’t want her to think I believe her to be incompetent.

I walk up behind Penny and kiss the top of her head. Sophie sits down next to the girls at the table and grins.

“Wow, you smell good,” she says, then clamps her mouth shut. Her eyes are wide like she’s surprised she said the words out loud.

I glance at her curiously, amused by the pink twinge on her cheeks.

“I mean, better than usual,” she continues, trying unsuccessfully to explain herself. “It’s a special scent, like cologne, you know? Not that I keep track of your smells.” She clamps her mouth shut again, getting redder in the face by the second.

“Right, I knew what you meant. Thanks,” I say, my lips pulling up into a smirk, silently flattered she noticed my cologne, and approves. Shaking the thought, I clear my throat. “Hopefully Mariah likes it.”

As if summoned, the doorbell rings. I can only assume Mariah is on the other side.

I walk across the room and open the front door, and Mariah grins up at me, looking lovely with her dark hair up in a high ponytail and her tan arms and legs on display in her cut-off shorts and tank top.

“Mariah, come on in.” I grin. “You look great.”

“Thank you, so do you.” She laughs nervously.

Glancing behind me, I see Sophie and Penny watching us. “Come on in, let me introduce you to the most important person in my life.”

Mariah smiles and follows me into the room.

“This is my daughter, Penny,” I tell Mariah as Penny jumps down from her seat.