Page 128 of Delicate Storm

“Damn straight you’re nobody. You—”

“I’m nobody but I’m here to protect Isaac, and that means I’m not letting a stranger in. Come back tomorrow. Goodbye.”

I release a rushed sigh and move to hang up but she calls out.

“Wait. You’re Paige, aren’t you?”

Dammit. “I am.”

“So what? You’re trying to take my ex and my son.”

“I’m not trying totakeanything.” Did Easton tell her about me? Or Isaac? “I care about them both and I’m doing what I feel is right. Goodbye.”

I hang up quickly this time and take a deep breath as my mind whirs. God, I hope I didn’t fuck things up for Easton. Why don’t we ever talk? I should know more about his life. Shouldn’t I?

Isaac wakes up twenty minutes after Macy called and when he finds me, still in the hallway next to the photo with his mom, he smiles.

“That’s my mom,” he says, resting his head against my leg. “She lives at Disney.”

“At Disney? Wow. She’s pretty lucky. Do you get to see her much?”

“No. But she got me my red shoes, remember?”

“Yeah.” My heart breaks for him, but I smile and ruffle his messy brown hair. “I remember. They make you super fast.”

“Yeah.” He smiles back at me but there’s a sadness in his expression. I’m about to change the subject when he keeps talking. “Daddy has to stay here for Christmas with Nana, so I’m staying too. I can go to Disney another day.”

“That’s nice of you. Your dad and Nana will love that.” A tightness pulls at my chest, but I ignore it. No matter what happens today, I know Easton will make sure he has a good Christmas and if not, I will.

“What’s your favorite thing about Christmas?”

He shrugs his shoulders and I let out a little laugh. What a stupid question to ask. I don’t think I could narrow it down to one thing either.

“What about an easier question? Should we make cookies today?”

Isaac’s face brightens and he bounces on the spot. “Yes. Can we?”

“Of course. We just have to go down to my apartment to get the ingredients. Are you up for that?”

“Yes. Can we go now?”

“Let’s do it.”

We spend the afternoon baking, and while we’re eating our creations, I get another text from Easton, asking if it’s an okay time to speak to Isaac. As though it’s up to me. I respond with a yes and he calls right away.

“Hey you,” I answer the same way I did this morning, somewhat wishing we could rewind and have the day play out differently… and for his mom to be okay. “Any news?”

“She’s okay. Sort of. If that makes sense.”

“I think so. What about you?”

“Me?”

“Yeah.” I walk around the corner out of earshot but keep my eyes on Isaac. “Areyouokay?”

“Sort of.”

He laughs and I smile as my eyes threaten to water. “We had a great day,” I say, changing the subject. “Isaac’s amazing, Easton. You should be very proud.”

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