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“Sorry,” I say to Blake. “He’s really excited.”

“You never have to apologize for Chase to me.” Blake sits down next to me on the bleacher, close enough that our shoulders touch. “He’s a great kid.”

“I know… I just—”

“I’ve known him his entire life. I’ve been to every birthday, baseball game, and school recital.”

It’s true that it’s something our group of friends has always valued, being there for each other’s kids, making them feel like they belong, like they can always come to any of us for anything.

“I love him.” Blake kisses my cheek. “And I love you.”

It’s hard to describe the pure joy that I feel from hearing those words. It’s like a warm blanket over my heart combined with fizzy bubbles in my belly.

And I realize that I love Blake too. And I want to tell him. But not like this. Not prompted. I want to find just the right moment.

“I’m happy,” I say instead.

Blake rests his hand on my thigh, and it sends electricity all over my body.

“Bryce says I’ve been smiling like a lovestruck fool.”

A giggle escapes me, and we look at each other, completely unable to stop smiling.

I caress his cheek and lean in for a kiss, remembering too late that we’re at Chase’s baseball game and I didn’t want to make a scene.

We keep it short. A small touching of lips and rubbing of nose is all it takes to show each other how we feel.

“I talked to Ethan,” Blake says. “We’re meeting tonight in the big parking lot at seven thirty.”

“I know. Ethan called Chase yesterday and told him.” I try to keep my voice cheerful, but even I can hear the sudden coldness in my tone.

“I can still cancel if you want.”

“No. Don’t. I want Chase to be happy.”

“I think this will be good for you too.”

“Why? I’m not going.”

“No. But it will help to repair your relationship with Ethan.”

A childish voice in my head screams. I don’t want to repair my relationship with Ethan. I want to hate him forever.

But I’m mature enough to set it aside and recognize that I need a healthy relationship with Ethan for Chase’s sake. But that doesn’t mean we have to be friends.

“I don’t have to like him,” I say.

“No. Which is why I’m going instead of you. You don’t even have to spend time with him. But you do have to be able to communicate and compromise when it comes to Chase. Ethan will be grateful, and he will be more lenient one day when you want to see Chase during his time.”

“Quid pro quo.”

“Quid pro quo, civility, whatever you want to call it. As long as Chase is happy, everybody wins.”

I give him a smile and a shoulder bump. I do appreciate him thinking about us, taking care of us.

“I just don’t think I’ll ever get used to Charlotte,” I admit. “I keep dreading one day seeing her with an engagement ring or a pregnant belly, smugly smiling at me like she’s won.”

Blake squeezes my thigh. “First of all, I doubt their relationship will last that long. And second of all, even if it does, I promise you you’ll be engaged and pregnant long before she is. Then, you’ll be able to smile at her smugly.”