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He laughed awkwardly. “You know, I did have a good reason, but facing you now, I don’t think it’s good enough anymore.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Would you believe me if I said I was trying to spare you the embarrassment?”

“If you did it only once, yes.”

“To be fair, I tried to go to the couch and you followed me.”

Oh God. Why was my sleepy brain like this?

“When was this?”

“Two weeks after I moved in?”

My jaw fell open. “Are you kidding me?”

“I really wish I was.”

“Are you gonna kill him?” Beatrice asked. “Can I watch?”

Her voice was a reminder that we weren’t alone. As mad as I was at Gabriel, I didn’t need to ruin things with the girls.

I gave him a sharp look that told him we would be talking about this later and smiled when I looked at the girls.

“We’ll work it out,” I said in the sweetest voice I could muster. “Isn’t it close to your guys’ bedtime? What if I help you braid your hair?”

They both yelled their agreement and ran to the bathroom.

“Jade—”

“Give me a second. I’ll spend time with them and we’ll talk after.”

I didn’t look at him as I followed the girls.

“Mine first!” Agnes begged.

“No, mine!” Beatrice argued.

“I’ll get to both of you,” I said calmly. “Or we can play a game for it.”

“Yes!” they shouted at the same time.

I wound up teaching them rock paper scissors. Beatrice won, and Agnes bemoaned how stupid it was that paper beat rock.

I was halfway through Beatrice’s hair when she finally quieted down. They both wanted French braids, and focusing on that gave me enough time to think. The space I’d created between Gabriel and me was good, and I knew I’d be ready to talk once they were in bed.

Gabriel was waiting and read a story without them asking. The girls sat on either side of him as he read while I watched in the doorway.

He was a good father. Not because he did everything right, but because he cared. He tried.

That went for me too.

I knew that. And it was why storming off wouldn’t have done any good for either of us.

Gabriel was quiet until the girls were fully in bed. He didn’t speak even when we were alone.

I took a breath and finally turned to him.