Page 88 (1/2)

That afternoon, after hugging the girls goodbye in the driveway, I asked Naomi if she had a minute

“Sure” She sent the girls into the house with instructions to clean their messy rooms, and turned back to me with her arms folded “What’s up?”

“Winnie is going to be in town next weekend, and the girls want to know if there’s any time they can see her”

Nao to be really busy with the wedding”

“I know I can tell them it won’t work”

“No, no, don’t do that They talk about her all the time, and they’ll be sad if they miss her visit completely” A chill October wind blew her hair across her forehead, and she tucked it behind her ear “How long will she be here?”

“Friday to Sunday”

“Is she staying with you?”

I made a face like the question was crazy “No! I have no idea where she’s staying Why would she be staying with me?”

“Take it easy” Naoirls have talked about the situation, I sort of thought you ht be more than friends”

“Well, we’re not She’s not in town to see me”

My ex studied me carefully “But you care about her”

I closed my eyes Clenched my jaw “Naomi, don’t”

“Dex, coet irls have never once mentioned a fe but Winnie this and Winnie that It’s obvious she was around a lot”

“She was,” I admitted

“It’s okay It’s not like I expected you to be alone forever And you’ve always been very accepting of my relationship with Bryce”

“Me being alone forever is a lot more likely than a relationship with Winnie”

“Why?”

I scowled at her “Why do you even care?”

“Because I care about you, Dex” She poked a finger at my chest “Maybe you find this hard to believe, but I do actually want you to be happy It’s true that our h to save it, but I don’t believe it’s because you weren’t capable That’s what drove ood partner to someone—if you let them in”

I rubbed a hand over my jaw “You should know better than anyone, that isn’t ”