One Last Time(73)

“You’re perfect no matter what,” I reassure her.

She nods. “Damn right. Now, let’s get your article written before you miss your deadline.”



I chew on my lip as I read through the final draft one more time. It’s due to Erica in the next thirty minutes, and I want it perfect. After I realize I can’t nuke it any more than I already have, I send the file and pray it doesn’t suck.

“What is that, Mommy?” Aubrey asks as I press send on the email, handing the article off to my editor.

“It’s my article about Noah.”

“I like Noah,” she tells me.

I pull her on my lap and kiss her cheek. “Me, too.”

“He hasn’t fed my animals, though.”

“Because he’s not here,” Finn answers her as he walks in the living room. “Too bad Jillian doesn’t disappear like him.”

He really hates her, and I know I can’t encourage his attitude, but I don’t blame him. Not because she deserves anything, but because her presence is making their visits awful. The more Finn pushes her hand, the worse it’ll get.

“I know you don’t like her, but your dad is going to marry her.”

Finn huffs. “I hate her.”

“Why do you hate her, Finn?”

He looks at his feet. “Because I don’t know her! And Dad is just going to marry her? He’s supposed to love you!”

Oh, my sweet boy. I can’t imagine that there isn’t some small part of him that hopes for this grand reconciliation, but it’s never going to happen. “Hating Jillian isn’t going to make your father and I get back together, buddy. You will always have your dad, but he loves her, and she isn’t going anywhere.” Even if we’d all like to see her take a dip in a vat of battery acid. Nothing says asshole like enjoying being a homewrecker.

Although, I’m sure it was all my fault.

I couldn’t keep him happy. I couldn’t keep the house the way he wanted. I was shitty in bed and all the other crap he probably said. Lucky for Scott, he had his assistant ready to service him and his tiny pecker.

Of course, I don’t get to say any of that.

“Why does Daddy love her?” Aubrey asks, turning her head so she can see me.

Because he’s an idiot who thinks with the wrong head.

“He just does. Sometimes we love people for no reason.”

Lord knows I can’t seem to find a redeeming quality in her.

Aubrey twirls my hair. “She said you’re not Daddy’s wife anymore.”

This shit is going to stop. I’m tired of the kids coming home and telling me the things she tells them. It’s clear she doesn’t like my children, so she should stop talking to them and me. Scott is going to get an earful. I won’t hesitate in taking him back to court and getting full custody. I bet he’ll love having to pay more money for child support.

My kids are not going to be poisoned or made to feel uncomfortable because he’s moving on. I’m doing the same thing with Noah, only I’m not shoving him down their damn throats.

I touch the side of Aubrey’s face. “I’m not. But I’m still your mommy and he’s still your daddy.”

“That’s good.” She smiles. “You’re a good mommy.”

“I’m glad you think so.” I tickle her side.

“Is Noah coming back still?” Finn asks.

“I think he’ll be back tomorrow, why?”

I tread carefully because Finn is one of those kids that can take words and twist them. He’s going through a lot, and I don’t need to walk into a trap.

“There’s a Harry Potter marathon on.” He scratches his head and looks away.

My chest lightens, and I suppress the smile trying to work its way onto my lips. My son is thinking of Noah. Last night I was on FaceTime with him, and Finn talked to him for a few minutes. It was so cute how the two of them chatted about Hollywood. Finn is fascinated by everything related to film. Noah is more than happy to tell him about it.

I sat there and watched my son’s face light up when Noah told him he had dinner with his favorite actor.

I laughed when Noah seemed miffed that he wasn’t his favorite.

“I’m sure if Noah’s back he’ll watch. If that’s okay that he comes over . . .”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Finn looks confused.

“I don’t know, you don’t seem to like Jillian around, I wasn’t sure how you felt about Noah.”

Aubrey hops off my lap and spins in the middle of the room. “Noah has to come over.” She giggles. “He’s my zookeeper.”

Yes, that is the most important thing to my daughter—her fake zoo and the stuffed animals that reside there.

“Noah isn’t like Jillian.” He sneers her name, and I don’t disagree one bit.

“He’s nice,” Aubrey says and starts spinning again.

They have no idea how good that makes me feel. Noah is important to me, but we’re taking things slow with the kids. We both want them to be comfortable with him before we throw things in their face. That’s the one thing about Scott I don’t understand. Why rush? Why does he have to marry her? If they love each other so much, why not wait even if there is a baby involved? It’s not the fifties where you need to get married if you’re pregnant.