Page 96 of Single Mom's Guide to Love

“Now, when we get there, please don’t go all Logan Matthews on him.”

I give her a quick look before turning onto Josh’s road. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that you like to play the rich billionaire card when it suits. And I can see a situation where you’re standing in front of my ex and need to one-up him, so you’re going to drop that you just bought a plane. Or remind him that you invented the video game that he and his son love to play.”

I shrug. She’s right. It’s always my ace in the hole. “No promises.”

She mumbles something about an “infuriating man,” but I just smile as we approach Josh’s home.

Yes, we’re about to have a likely drag-out with her ex. But something about this whole interaction feels so normal, which is not a word I use often.

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve never had a life that anyone would consider mundane. Between my upbringing, being a Brit in an American college who wasn’t on a study abroad program, and then gaining fortune quite early in my career, I couldn’t tell you the first thing about a normal life. But this? Going with Maeve to get Jayce, then heading to dinner at a chain restaurant because Jayce will likely want chicken tenders and neither of us want to cook, then going home as a family, feels pretty normal to me.

I mean, how we got here wasn’t. But I must say, I don’t mind the outcome. Not one bit.

“Okay, then here’s the plan,” she says as I turn into the driveway. “We’re going to go in. We’re going to address the elephant in the room immediately. You and Josh are going to shake hands. We’re going to be civil. We’re going to talk aboutthat the date has been filed for February, but maybe try again to see if we can come to an agreement outside of court. What we’re not going to do is give him any ammo for the custody case. Deal?”

I put the car in park before holding my hands up in defense. “You have nothing to worry about from me. I’m British. I’m polite by nature.”

She raises an eyebrow with that side eye that she loves to give me. “Promise?”

I make an “X” over my heart. “I promise.”

I exit the car and come around to open hers for her. I offer her my hand, which she takes, as we exit her SUV, and I don’t drop it as we approach the house. And I’m glad I don’t since we have greeters at the door.

“Oh, look, it’s the welcome wagon,” Maeve drawls, a touch of snark coming from her voice as Josh and Vivian stand on the front porch.

So much for being nice…

I take a second to try and get a read on them. Vivian is standing like a dutiful wife, arm wrapped through Josh’s and striking a pose like she’s waiting for a photographer to take her picture. He’s staring at us—more so me—as we approach, like he’s trying to figure out how to beat me in a fight.

Won’t happen.

Maeve still thinks something is fishy about everything, and now that I’m seeing the two of them, I’d have to agree.

Josh takes a step forward, and while he might be talking about me, he’s talkingtoMaeve. “Just wanted to be the first to introduce myself to your new husband.”

Their eyes lock and I can tell they are having some sort of silent conversation.

Maeve’s nostrils flare.

Josh’s eyes narrow.

Vivian is looking at a bird that just flew past.

Yup. Polite is out the door.

“Why don’t we go inside?” I ask. “It’s a little chilly, and I think we should talk where neighbors won’t be able to hear us.”

No one says anything, but Josh does turn and open the door as we follow inside. The door is barely shut before Jayce comes scampering down the hall.

“Mommy! Logan!” he yells as he barrels into my leg. “Logan! I made it another level. It was my first time doing it. I just did it! Want to come see?”

I lean down and give him a hug that is more like a pat on the back before I ruffle his hair. “I’d love to. But me and your mum need to talk to your dad and Vivian. How about you see how far you can get, and then start packing up your things.”

“Okay,” he says, running back to what I’m assuming is his bedroom.

“Look at you, Bonus Dad of the Year.”

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