Page 87 of Time for Change

“No kidding,” Mya grumbles. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know so you can watch her this weekend.”

“She’s probably just taking some time to process big changes. I’m sure she’ll be back to her old, sassy self when I pick her up.”

My ex chuckles. “I never thought I’d be hopeful to see my daughter’s sass, but I am. Anyway, how are you? I heard you have a big dinner coming up,” she says, a knowing tone.

It shouldn’t surprise me Mya would know about my dinner with Stevie. It was probably one of the first things the kids told her when she picked them up from Miss Libby’s on Tuesday. “Tomorrow night.”

“Ohhh, that’ll be fun.”

“I hope.” I take a deep breath, realizing I’m probably going to have to make arrangements for Mya and Stevie to meet. “Do you want to meet her before the kids?”

“No.”

That surprises me. “No?”

“I don’t need to. She must be good people if you’re introducing her to our kids.”

My heart pounds in both confusion and relief. “How do you figure?”

She laughs, and I can picture her sitting there, shaking her head the way she used to when we had discussions while married. Gianna gets her fiery attitude and temper from one of her parents, and it’s not me. “Listen, Jack, I’ve known you for a decade, and one thing I know for a fact is you’re a good,trustworthy, honest man. You don’t parade one-night stands around in front of our kids, nor do you jump from relationship to relationship at the drop of a hat. So if you’re to the point where you want to introduce our kids to someone you’re dating, then I’m okay with it. Yes, I’d like to meet her someday, but it doesn’t have to be now, before our kids do. I trust you. I know you have their best interests at heart.”

I sag against the seat. “Thanks, Mya. I always have their best interests at heart.”

“I know. Listen, I have to go to work.”

“Don’t worry about Gianna. I’ll talk to her,” I state, hoping to help smooth over the bumpy waters of change our nine-year-old is facing. “I’m sure she’s excited about the new baby, and the fact she gets to decorate a new bedroom.”

“I hope so,” she replies softly.

“All right, well, I’m off to get the kids. Have a good night at work,” I tell her, reaching for the gearshift and throwing it in reverse.

“Thanks. Have a good weekend,” she replies before hanging up.

I back out of the parking space and head for the road. I’ll definitely chat with Gianna later about the changes she’s facing, but I’m sure everything’s fine.

***

There’s a knock on the front door, but I force myself to remain in the kitchen for a few extra seconds. I promised Christian he could open the door and greet Stevie for our dinner, as long as he abided by a few rules. He has to ask who it is before he unlocks the door and look through the window along the door, he must greet her politely and invite her inside, and he needs to close the door behind them and relock it. He has beenall-too eager all day, reminding me several times that he can handle his job.

He’s even practiced a few times.

But even though he’s practiced and we’ve been over what he needs to do, he’s still four and I’m fully prepared for the excitement to catch up with him and he possibly forget a step or two.

When I hear him ask who it is, I smile. Slowly making my way to the front door, I listen to him invite her inside. “Thank you, Christian,” she replies, and I can hear the smile in her voice.

“Do you want to go play in my room? I’ve got lots of cars and am building a track with Legos. Wanna see?” he practically yells, overcome with excitement at having a guest here for the evening.

Walking around the corner and heading to where they stand, I say, “Hey, buddy, let’s give Stevie a few minutes to get her coat and shoes off, and then dinner is almost ready.”

“Oh, yeah,” my four-year-old replies with a giggle. “After dinner?”

Stevie grins down at him. “After dinner, I’d love to see your room.”

“Shake and bake, baby!” he hollers, running down the hallway and toward the kitchen.

“Hi,” I greet, stepping forward and helping her remove her coat. “How was your day?”

“It was good. I did a lot of cleaning and laundry and went and had lunch with BJ and her kids.”

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