Page 88 of Sleeper: The Palisades Edition

“So you do know about it?”

“Willa told me about it as soon as I came home. She was really upset about it.”

“And you didn’t think it was necessary to talk tomeabout it?”

“That’s what we’re doing now, isn’t it?”

“Shane. If this were anyone else, you wouldn’t have hesitated to discuss it with me—the mother of your children.”

“Kids first. I talked to the twins about it. I know that Summer told you about it. You and I are talking about it now. Why don’t you cut to the chase?”

“I’ve spent the last day getting in touch with the nanny agency. Margarita is available to start now, so I’ve hired her. Her employment asournanny begins tomorrow. I’m paying for the first month, but she’ll stay with you. And don’t tell me you don’t need her to stay with you—I know how busy you are for the next couple of weeks. I’ll forward her contact information, as well as the contract for you to sign. You should call Margarita to arrange a time for her to go to your house. As per your wishes, I have not communicated with Willa to let her know that she has been replaced as the twins’ nanny. I’ll leave that to you.”

“You are aware that the twins are going to be devastated if she leaves this abruptly?”

“Yes, I am. And if you play your cards right, maybe she won’t leave.”

I’m about to spew something biting and sarcastic and then I realize what she just said.

My ex isn’t giving me the holier than thou look I was expecting.

It’s theI know you better than you thinklook that I usually give her.

“Wait. What? What are you saying?”

“I saw the way you looked at her. You never looked at me that way. Not when we first got together. Not even during our love scenes on the show.” She wipes a tear from her eye.

Holy shit. She’s crying.

“I don’t even know why I’m crying. That’s not true. It’s not about you—get that look off your face. It’s because I know how much the kids love her too.”

Well, shit. Now she’s really crying.

“And I don’t want them to love her more than they love me.” She covers her face, and her whole damn body is shaking

Well, fuck. That never occurred to me. For the second time ever, Margo Quincey has surprised me.

“Marg…you’ll always be their mother. You can’t be replaced by anyone, any more than I was replaced by Landon.”

She wipes her eyes and blows her nose. “Yeah, but Willa’s so much more lovable than Landon is.”

We both laugh at that. “True.”

“Maybe if you guys aren’t so worried about hiding your relationship from the kids, you’ll both be a little more clearheaded.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

“But if anything ever happens to my children because of her?—”

“It could have happened with either of us, you know that.”

“Look, I don’t want to create trouble. I’m trying to make things easier for everyone. I do like Willa, Shane. And not just because she designed an amazing perfume for me. I like her for you. I could see us all going on family vacations together one day. I hope you don’t fuck it up.”

“That’s very Gwyneth of you, Margo. Thanks. I hope I don’t fuck it up too.”

“I think we should tell the kids together, you and I, on a Skype call after they get home from school.”

“I won’t be home until dinner my time.”