Page 27 of Within Striking Distance
“I don’t want Tinsley to have random strangers coming in and out of her life.”
“You don’t have to move him in,” she says. “Tinsley has the occasional sleepover at Everett’s, and we’re always happy to baby-sit. There’s nothing wrong with a no-strings-attached fling.”
This conversation is getting out of hand.
My stomach dips. “I’m not going to ship my daughter off so I can get laid. I know you’re only trying to help, but I’m never stepping foot in Euphoria again, which means I’ll never see him again. It was fun, but it was reckless. What ifsomething happened to me? Tinsley’s too important for me to be taking risks like that. Besides, like you said, he’s young. He doesn’t know I have a daughter, and he didn’t sign up for that.”
Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back, knowing I need to work harder at forgetting him.
“Thank you for pushing me to step out of my comfort zone. Maybe I’ll consider putting myself out there again. One day,” I add when Quinn opens her mouth to interrupt. “One day, I’ll try again, but I’ll do it when I’m ready.”
My two friends share a look before throwing themselves at me in a big group hug.
“We love you, Jules,” Quinn says, smacking a kiss on my cheek. “We just want you to be happy.”
“I know,” I say, squeezing them both tight. “And I am.”
We all know I’m only telling a half-truth, but no one calls me out on it. Iamhappy. Tinsley makes me happy. But I’m also lonely. Even more so after getting a glimpse of what it’s like to be wanted by someone again.
But that night at Euphoria was a fantasy. It wasn’t real life. I have to drag myself back to the real world, at least for now.
Being the best friends they are, Ally and Quinn change the subject and spend the rest of the day distracting me with plans for Tinsley’s fifth birthday, which is in a couple of weeks. She wants a princess party, of course. Luckily, I have amazing friends who are willing to dress up and give my daughter what she wants.
We jump online and order our costumes, the decorations, and all the other bits and pieces we need tothrow an epic princess party. They also help me choose her new bedroom furniture—when we moved in, I made do with second-hand furniture, but I want to give her bedroom a makeover for her birthday. Only the best for my little princess.
“Do you want Kris to come over and help you put the furniture together?” Ally asks, referring to her husband.
“Rory will be happy to help, too.”
“Thanks. I want to set it up on her actual birthday so it’s ready when she comes home from preschool. I’ll be fine.”
“You know, it’s not weakness to ask for help,” Quinn says softly.
“I know. If I get stuck, I promise to call.”
The front door opens, and Tinsley races in, barrelling into my arms. She buries into my body, her arms squeezing me tight.
I glance up at Everett, who enters looking flustered, with her backpack hanging from his hand.
“What’s going on?” I ask warily, rubbing my daughter’s back. She’s not crying, but she is clinging to me for dear life.
He runs a hand through his hair, staring at Tinsley’s picture wall rather than looking at us. “Just Dad being his usual controlling arsehole self.”
My body tenses. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” he assures me, but then he drops his head, his voice turning bitter. “Dad’s only leverage over me is Tins, and I might have lost my cool. I’m sorry if I scared her.”
I tilt her head up to look at me. “You good, princess?”
She nods, her blonde curls bouncing.
“Give your brother a hug, then go put your bag away. We can bake some cupcakes when you’re done.”
“Okay.” She runs over and wraps her arms around Everett’s legs.
He leans down to pick her up, giving her a quick squeeze and a kiss on the cheek before setting her back on her feet. “See you soon, pipsqueak. Love you.”
“Love you, Rett.” She takes her bag and runs off to her bedroom.
