Page 143 of Seal the Deal

I close my eyes. He doesn’t want to talk about it over the phone. He’s holding off, waiting until we’re face-to-face. I understand, but it doesn’t make the weight any easier to carry.

My phone buzzes again, but this time it’s not Jake. Alex’s name flashes on the screen, and my stomach clenches.

Alex:I’ll come for dinner Thursday. Need to see the kids.

Of course. Alex, swoops in and invites himself over, like having a family dinner with him doesn’t sound like the worst fucking thing in the world right now. I grit my teeth. Jake’s halfway across the country, and I’m just trying to hold everything together.

Me:Thursday works.

I send the message before I can overthink it, knowing it’s going to be a disaster. Alex always manages to insert himself when things feel too fragile to handle. But I have no choice. I need to show I’m being reasonable about letting him see the kids.

The stress gnaws atme as I pick up my coffee, the warmth doing little to settle my nerves. I’m stretched too thin. Between Jake, Alex, and the kids, I feel like I’m trying to balance a hundred spinning plates, and I’m terrified they’re all going to crash down around me.

A thought hits me: I need backup for Thursday. If I do this solo, Alex will pull his usual bullshit. I quickly pull up a new message to Zoe.

Me:Mayday. Alex invited himself over for dinner on Thursday. Can you come? Please?

I hit send and stare at the screen, tapping my fingers against the desk. It only takes Zoe a few seconds to reply.

Zoe:Mayday? Babe, I’m offended you think I wouldn’t be there to run interference. I'll be there with bells on. Wine too. And a tranquilizer gun for Alex.

A laugh escapes me before I even realize it, and I type back quickly.

Me:If you have one, bring it. You’ll need it more than I do.

Zoe:I’m booking in for a fresh set of claws just for him. Thursday it is.

I exhale, feeling a tiny bit lighter knowing that Zoe will be there. She lives for any opportunity to knock him down a peg, stripping his ego to shreds with a smile on her face.

I roll my shoulders, focusing back on my computer screen. This day can’t end soon enough.

***

I’m exhausted. It’s been the longest day, and all I want to do is sleep for a hundred years—or at least until Friday when Jake gets home. As I settle into bed, my phone buzzes. This time, it’s not a text. It’s Jake, video calling me.

I hesitate for a second, my heart racing as I swipe to answer. His face fills the screen, and even through a phone, seeing him makes my chest ache.

“Hey,” he says, his voice carrying a familiar longing, like he’s been thinking about me all day.

“Hey.” I try to smile, but my throat’s dry. His hair’s still damp from a shower, and the sight of him looking so good makes the distance between us feel vast.

“You okay?” he asks, eyes scanning my face like he’s studying a battle report.

I nod, but it’s weak. “Yeah. Just… work stuff. Kids stuff. You know.”

“Uh-huh.” He doesn’t buy it. “And Alex? He sniffing around?”

I sigh, shifting under the covers. “He’s coming Thursday for dinner.”

He pauses, like he’s collecting himself. “Why?”

“The kids need to see him, I can’t just block him from seeing them…” I shrug. It’s a tough position, but I can’t not let him see his own kids. Especially when he’s throwing custody threats around.

Jake sucks his bottom lip into his mouth, like he wants to say more but is holding back. “Make sure Zoe’s there.”

I snort. “Yeah, already organized. She’s sharpening her claws as we speak.”

A small smile tugs at his lips. “Good. She’ll keep him in line.”

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