"You know if I had a dollar every time you said that, I wouldn't need two jobs."
Jordan laughed, and he checked his watch. "I just came in to tell you that tomorrow might be a long day, so I hope you are up for some extra hours so that we stay on schedule."
"Sure thing."
I wished I didn't have dinner plans with Michael tonight so that I could sleep early, but I would have to make it work. I left Jordan's office and went straight to Robin's school. He'd already finished his violin lesson and was excited to be seeing his father again. The journey to Michael's hotel was filled with questions about what we would do once we got there and if Michael could pick him up next time. Those were some things we would iron out once Michael's probationary period was over, but I couldn't explain that to Robin.
"Michael!" he exclaimed as soon as his father opened the door, giving him his signature tight hugs.
I lovedthose little hugs and saw Michael falling in love with them too. There was just something about a child's unconditional joy and love that was contagious, and I couldn't imagine life without them.
Michael was in sweatpants and a tight t-shirt, and his feet were bare. I presumed his hair was still wet from a shower, and he looked devastatingly sexy. He was heartless for torturing me like this, and I gave him an awkward wave as I walked in.
"What? No hug for me?" he asked with a smirk, making me roll my eyes and walk past him.
Dinner came, and I watched father and son bond over their mutual hate for broccoli. I glared at Michael as he undid years of my hard work, effectively encouraging our son never to eat broccoli again. He didn't know that he had just signed away any possibility of having Robin for longer than a few hours. Rule one of parenting was always to get kids to eat vegetables. Rule two was never mentioning games when bedtime was nearing, and Michael went on to break that one. We had a long way to go.
"I'm going to show him around, and then we can have dessert later. Okay?" he said as he stood up, taking Robin's hand.
They walked to the other room together, and Michael returned minutes later, alone.
"He's checking out some kid games. Figured it would give us a chance to talk in private."
I wondered what he wanted to talk about and if I should also tell him about Robin's school list. This new co-parenting situation was something I would have to get used to.
"I think we should put Robin in a new school," he said, taking me by surprise.
"He's already in one of the best schools in the city," I countered.
"But are they equipped to handle everything that he needs? And is moving him up a grade every two terms really a solution?"
"He's doing great in school; I don't see the problem here."
"Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not there. And before you give me a lecture on how I've been here for two seconds and don't know anything, save it."
He was right, we had to move on from that, and I had to give him a chance to be a parent. And if I were being completely honest, I would have sent Robin to the absolute best school in the city, but it also happened to be the most expensive. I put Robin first above all else, and on this matter, Michael was right.
"Let's look through some options first, okay? Then we'll make a decision together,” I said wearily. I really didn’t want to fight.
He nodded, and I almost jumped in triumph. We were getting the hang of peaceful discussions, I thought. I yawned, and Michael gave me a look.
"You look tired. Should I get Robin and drive you guys home?"
He said it with such concern that it took me by surprise. I nodded, and we were ready to go a few minutes later. Robin talked non-stop on the way home, and Michael seemed to enjoy every second of it. He gave him a piggyback ride to our door, and the sad look on my son's face when he left made it seem like he would never see his father again.
"Come on, let's get you ready for bed. You'll see Daddy on Saturday."
We did our usual bedtime routine, and my phone rang when I settled into my own bed and closed my eyes. I groaned and reached for it, seeing that it was Michael. He probably just wanted to check in and say goodnight.
"Hey," I answered with a smile.
"I really believed that we were getting somewhere, Jade. But you have no shame, do you?"
I was confused by the venom in his voice. What on earth was he talking about?
"I don't understand."
He scoffed. "You go on about having some moral high ground, then send your father to ask me for money!"