He steps closer to me, staring down at me with an intensity that makes me feel seen. Exposed. Vulnerable. “Miles…” I say again, weaker than before. I don’t know how to counter something so utterly heart-wrenching. God, I am in love with this man. Maybe I’m not ready to say it aloud, knowing we are
I immediately hold Violet close as her sobs shake her body. Iris is more mad than sad, but her voice still shakes as she adds, “Dad’s going to leave us behind.” That’s news to me. Loving our daughters is the only thing Garnar and I have in common. “What makes you say that?” I ask. “Rachel,” Ir
“I am his ex,” I tell her. “Oh.” She pauses a moment. Just as I hope I’ll finally have some civility now, she says, “That must be why you are in his phone as bitch.” “Great. Thanks for that. Please put Garnar on the phone now.” “I don’t think I will,” Rachel says. “I know how you exes are. It
The rage I’ve been repressing since talking to Rachel on the phone comes bursting out of me, and before I really know what I’m doing, I’m opening the door to Miles’s office and stepping inside. I realize only after I closed the door that I didn’t knock. The rudeness of it makes me freeze. Miles
Miles presses his lips hard together but doesn’t argue. “I’ll have my phone on me. Call if you need me, and I will be there.” I believe him. That helps give me strength, as later, I race through the city streets back to our sleepy suburban neighborhood. I drive straight by my own house, going deep
I drive as quickly and safely back to the house and then usher the girls inside. They are startled by my panic, I can tell. Iris keeps asking me what’s wrong. Violet watches me like she wants to cry. For their sake, I try to calm myself down, but it’s difficult. Every time I blink, I’m back in tha
“Of course your Dad will protect you,” I tell Violet. What else can I say? Little girls should expect their fathers to defend them. I will simply have to have a proper talk with Garnar, then everything will be fine. “Why don’t I make dinner,” I say. “What are we having?” Iris asks. And for a whi
For the rest of the evening, Miles stays with us. His mac and cheese is divine. The girls are in heaven, as this is already their favorite meal. To have it be that much special, helps ease all of our ruffled nerves. Miles does his best to lay on the charm tonight too, making all of us laugh. After