Page 42 of Mr. Almost

“I’m trying to give you and Mason time together without me breathing down your neck.”

Guilt hits me in the stomach. “Chlo, you don’t have to stay away.”

“I know, but I don’t want to talk about him. What are you doing this weekend?”

“I don’t know. Why, what’s up?”

“I was thinking we should have a girls’ night?”

“You, Ari, and me…sounds like fun.”

“I was actually thinking just you and me. Maybe a bottle of wine.”

I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “I don’t have anyone to watch Ari. You know that.”

“You have the sperm donor. Isn’t he being all dad of the year now? Have him watch her.”

I sigh. She’s been trying to push me to give Mason more time with Ari without me. Even if she refuses to call him by name most of the time.

“I don’t know if I trust him that much yet,” I remind her.

“Okay, then she can hang out with us. Then, when she goes to bed, we can gossip,” she concedes lightly.

“I’d like that,” I tell her as I start picking at the seam of my jeans.

“Good. It’s a date. Just let me know when. I have nothing going on, so either tonight or tomorrow works.”

“Sounds good.”

“Mommy!”

I sigh as I push off the floor to stand. “I have to go check Ari’s hair to make sure she got the soap out. I’ll text you later.”

“All right, tell my little girl I said to be good, and I’ll see her soon.”

“I will. Bye,” I say as I slip into the bathroom.

“Later.”

“You ready for me?” I ask as I slip my phone into my pocket.

“Yep.”

Thankfully, Ari did a good job washing the shampoo and conditioner out of her hair.

“Be careful,” I tell her as I watch her step out of the shower.

I bite my tongue when I see her roll her eyes at me while I wrap the towel around her.

“I don’t want to wear that,” Ari says as she hands me her towel.

“That’s what you told me you wanted to wear this morning, last night,” I remind her as I hang the towel to try over the shower pole that holds the curtain.

“Well, I changed my mind. I want my princess shirt.”

I feel my eye twitch.

Parenting 101: Pick your fights.

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