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That wasI were living it with her

It was hard to reconcile the quiet, al girl she had been Both were equally stunning Both had me tied up in knots, whether I wanted to be or not

When the group finished eating, werooot settled, I went to check on Katie I opened the office door a crack and peeked in She was still on her back, arhtly

“I wish I could sleep like that,” a voice whispered behind me

I could feel her—she was standing close Too close I walked further into the room to put soh ahere I could avoid this feeling that had always existed between us

Whitney lingered in the half-open doorway as I went to tuck the blanket back around Katie from where she had kicked it off

“Kids aren’t weighed down by real-world bullshit, that’s why they sleep so well,” I responded quietly, slowly backing out of the rooain

“That sounds about right I envy them” Whitney’s smile was brittle

“Were you co?” My question sounded accusatory I needed to work on that

Whitney’s smile melted away and disappeared “Yeah, I was I hope that’s okay Your daughter is a pretty awesoet points with me That wasn’t Whitney’s way I knew she meant it

“Yeah, she is Too bad her , the truth slipping out before I could hold it back

Whitney’s face turned wintery “I don’t understand a woman that would turn her back on her responsibility to her kid It seeically impossible Particularly when that kid is Katie”

“Yeah, well Josie didn’t exactly want to be athis stuff with her? Where was my resolve to keep my distance? Only a fool trips on what is behind him

It seeantic fool

“She had hoped we’d be one big fa that wasn’t in the cards,” I continued, the words falling out of my mouth