“That’s…that’s good,” Monica said, clearly still unsure of what to make of my giddiness.
“Just made ahugesale,” I said. “Like, the biggest one of my career.”
Monica’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious? That’s fantastic! Congrats!”
“Thank you, thank you. You ask me, I think we ought to do a little celebrating. What sounds good for lunch?”
“Hmm. Sushi’s always good.”
“Sushi it is. You go ahead and order, it’s on me.”
She grinned. “I’m on it. And congrats, again.”
Monica went off, and I was left with Emmy. As far as I knew, Andy was still down for his nap. I plopped into my desk chair, putting up my feet and cradling Emmy on my lap. She reached out for me, and I planted another kiss on her adorably chubby cheek as I turned my attention to the view outside the picture window over my desk.
“This is pretty amazing, kid,” I said. “You would’ve told me three years ago that I’d be with some amazing guy, living in an amazing house, hanging out with an amazing kid, and selling million-dollar amazing condos, I never would’ve believed you.”
Emmy gurgled in response, and I gave her another smooch. Before I could let my mind unspool after what had happened, another text came in on my phone. This time, I checked it.
It was from Cammy.
I was stunned, my blood running cold. I had no idea what to say or do.
My hand shaking a bit, I picked up the phone. There were two calls from her, along with a text that said she wanted to talk, followed by one that said she was on her way and would be there in ten minutes.
I stood up, Emmy in my arms.
What did she want? I could only guess, but after our last conversation – if one could even call it that ? I wasn’t excited about the prospect.
I made my way out of the room, stuffing my phone into my pocket. Monica was down in the kitchen, her laptop open as she clicked away.
“Alright, foods ordered,” she said. “It’ll be here in about an hour.”
“Perfect.” I kept calm, not wanting to get Monica sucked into my drama. “Hey, I’ve got someone coming over in a few minutes. Would you mind keeping Emmy company? It’s…it’s a private conversation.”
She nodded, closed her computer, and came right over to me.
“Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything, alright?”
“Alright. And thanks.”
I gently squeezed Emmy’s hand before giving her over to Monica, who left without another word and went upstairs. I didn’t even have a chance to consider what Cammy might’ve wanted before the chime of the front door went off, my phone buzzing letting me know that the Ring camera had spotted someone.
The door opened and shut. Moments later, Cammy appeared at the entrance to the kitchen. Her expression was strange, her eyes wide and her mouth a flat line.
“I need to know something,” she said. “And I need the truth. No bullshit.”
“Uh, sure.”
“Do you love my dad?”
I didn’t know what to say. I stood there dumbly, trying to process what she’d just asked me.
“What?”
“You heard me. Look, you’re living in his house, you’re the mother of his kids. You’re everything in his life except for his actual wife.” She sighed, shaking her head. “Do you know what he’s been through? He had to watch his wife, my mom, waste away from cancer knowing there was nothing he could do. Can you evenimaginewhat that was like?”
I couldn’t think of anything to say. But as I stood there, I realized that there wasn’t anything I needed to say.