Page 149 of With a Cherry On Top

It feels like I’m on my way to a heart attack, but I nod, casual. “Uh-huh.”

“Because I hear there’s a new woman in your life, and I think you’re pretty monogamous.”

I choke on my spoonful, nearly inhaling the ice cream. Grabbing the closest napkin, I cough into it, eyes watering.

How the hell does she know about Charlotte?

Kyle and Logan are the only peoplesheknows who’ve seen her. Well, besides Sadie, and it’s not like my daughter has been gossiping with Amelie. Logan might have mentioned something, but I seriously doubt he would.

It’s gotta be him.

“Kyle?” I ask, voice still rough.

“The new woman in your life is Kyle?”

I give her a deadpan look. “You know what I mean.”

“No one told me,” she says, smirking. “But thank you for confirming.”

Jesus,seriously?That’s a preschooler trick.

“You’re lucky your naiveness is endearing.” She smacks her lips. “I guess this explains why you didn’t have time to answer your friend’s texts.”

I glance down, embarrassed. “Sorry about that. I?—”

“I’ll forgive you if you tell me about her.”

There’s nothing I’d love more, but I can’t tell her anything before I make sure Charlotte’s on board. This is as much my secret as it is hers. And, yes, I’malsoscared shitless. I know this only goes one direction: with me out of her life. Out of a job, and possibly a brother too. So I bite the inside of my cheek, hating the lie as it comes out. “We’re still figuring it out. Nothing much to say.”

“Mmhmm.”

“We’re keeping it under wraps.”

“Because of Sadie?”

“No, actually, Sadie met her.”

Her spoon pauses halfway to her mouth. “She did?”

“Yeah. It wasn’t planned. It just happened.”

Amelie leans in slightly, studying me. “And?”

And of course, she’s amazing with her.

I shrug. “Sadie’s Sadie. She gets along with everyone.”

“So why the secrecy?”

Eyes stuck to the ice cream, I hesitate. “Like I said, it’s casual.”

“Oh.Sure.Okay.”

I narrow my eyes. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Amelie.”

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