The Setup and the Substitute by Jiffy Kate

Chapter 28

Sophie

When I leftOwen’s house, I drove around the city for a while. He had the day off and normally, we’d spend it together, but since Lisa was coming over and he’d asked me to leave, I decided to give them the whole day.

Once I got to my apartment, I pulled back my curtains to let some light in and started watering my plants, talking to them as I went along, from one pot to the next.

They were great listeners, never talking back or offering unwanted opinions.

“I realize I’m being selfish about this, but you have to admit it sucks,” I say, leaning over the snake plant in the corner of my living room.

“I mean, this whole situation blew up out of nowhere. Totally caught me off guard. And I’m not going to apologize for having feelings… strong feelings… very strong feelings,” I mutter to no one but the variegated green leaves.

Plopping down on my couch, I place the watering can on the coffee table and lean back into the pillows. Normally, I’d call Greer, but she’s at the studio today. It’s Monday and everyone I know is at work, where I’d really like to be.

Not able to sit in solitude for one more second, I close my apartment back up and walk down to Neutral Grounds for a coffee. Instead of sitting at one of the tables, I take it to go and take a stroll through Jackson Square. It’s always been a place where I can go and clear my head. The people walking by and the sounds from the French Quarter ground me.

As I sip on my coffee, a few things keep bouncing through my mind.

Lisa is back.

She has a right to see her children.

She and Owen have history together.

That one bothers me, but I can’t change the facts or ignore them.

What will her return mean for them as a family, because that’s what they are. As much as I’ve felt like I’m part of the Thatcher family, Lisa has a real claim. She’s Molly and Ryan’s mother. She and Owen were together for a long time. When she left, there was a void. And after all of mine and Owen’s conversations, I know he has guilt where she’s concerned.

Misplaced guilt.

But guilt all the same.

And that makes people do irrational things.

The sick feeling in my gut is back and I look down at my half-empty cup. Maybe I need some real food. Glancing at my watch, I see it’s already late afternoon. And since it’s Monday, that means my family will be having dinner tonight.

Tossing my cup in the nearby trash, I walk back to my apartment and freshen up, putting on a dress from my closet.

Kitty always loves it when I wear a dress to family dinners, and since I’ve been MIA for the past few months, I feel like it’s a nice gesture. Besides, it’s an old favorite that makes me feel pretty and boosts my mood, and I’ll take all the help I can get.

An hour later, I’m pulling into the drive of my childhood home.

“Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in,” my brother, Bennett, says in greeting when he opens the front door.

“Very funny,” I deadpan. “Why are you not offering me a Bloody Mary right now?”

“Ah, so it’s that kind of family reunion. My favorite!” He waggles his eyebrows as he steps back to allow me entrance into the foyer. After dropping my bag on the settee, we make our way into the kitchen where Harrison is having a quiet conversation with our father.

Both of them glance up and smile when they see me enter.

“And to what do we owe the honor?” my father asks, walking around the island to kiss my cheek.

Leaning in, I close my eyes and relish in the affection not often bestowed by the man who raised me. “Maybe I should stay away more often,” I tease. “I guess it’s true what they say, absence does make the heart grow fonder.”

“Your mother will be happy to see you.” Giving me a pointed look, he holds his glass in the air and announces he needs a refill.

“Good to see you, Soph,” Harrison says, pulling me in for a hug. “How’s everything?”

I shrug, trying to seem nonchalant. “Pretty good. I just had a night off and thought I’d make an appearance.”

“Well, you’ve been missed,” Bennett says, handing me what I asked for at the front door. A Bloody Mary with two olives, just like I like it.

“Really?” I ask, feigning shock. “I figured no one would even notice.”

It’s a running joke, but not on my end because I truly have felt that way most of my life. As the baby of the family, most would think I was the center of attention, but that wasn’t true. It was more like I was an afterthought.

“It’s been miserable to not have someone to banter with.”

“You showed up on a good night,” Harrison adds. “We’re having shrimp etouffee.”

“My favorite,” I moan, eyes rolling.

There’s more chatter coming from the living room. As the three of us walk in, Theo gives me a nod, but Liam and Eleanor are in deep discussion as usual.

“If you’re going to run for office, you need to be taken seriously,” she says, one hand holding a wineglass and the other on her hip. Even though my sister and I don’t have a super close relationship, it doesn’t mean I don’t admire her.

She might be frigid, but she’s a worthy adversary in any debate.

“And that means having a girlfriend?” Liam counters, obvious frustration on his face.

My brother is handsome. Well, all of them are, but Liam is so dark and mysterious. Women eat that up, so it always surprises me he’s still single.

“It’s common knowledge that married men get more votes,” Eleanor touts with a huff that’s full of indignation.

“That’s an antiquated idea and you know it,” Liam volleys back.

Our father stands at the doorway and clears his throat. “Dinner is ready.”

“Oh, hi, Sophie,” Eleanor says, finally noticing my presence.

I smile. “Hi, Eleanor.”

“How’s the nanny job going?”

Of course she’d ask about that.

I widen my smile even further and nod. “It’s going great.”

That’s not a lie. The job itself is going great. I couldn’t be happier.

“Have you applied for any jobs recently?” she asks as we make our way into the dining room.

Swallowing, I try not to let her intimidate me. That’s her game, but she won’t win, not with me. Because I don’t care what Eleanor thinks of me. I’m sure in her eyes, I’m selling out by working for Owen. And if she knew I was sleeping with my boss, she’d really have a field day.

“I’m keeping an eye on all my prospects, but since I’ll be working for the Thatcher’s until October, I won’t be able to accept a position for the beginning of the school year. I figure I’ll pick up my search in September and see what’s available then.”

She gives me a placating smile. “You always have loved just going where the breeze takes you.”

That’s a dig, but I’m not going to let it get to me.

“Yeah, I really do,” I tell her. “It’s freeing, you should try it sometime.”

Maybe it would help get that corn cob out of your ass.

Taking a healthy sip of my Bloody Mary, I follow her to the table and take my usual place beside Liam.

“Well as I live and breathe,” my mother says as she walks into the dining room. “I thought maybe you’d been abducted by a street gang.”

I can’t even hide my eye roll. “I spoke to you two days ago, Mother.”

“You just never know these days,” she says, shaking her head as she takes a seat. “I haven’t laid eyes on you since you stopped by with flowers and that was weeks ago.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell her sincerely. “I’ve been busy.”

“Taking care of children?” she asks, sounding unbelieving.

I guess to her that would seem like a foreign concept. She wasn’t a hands-on mom, so she probably doesn’t have the slightest idea what it takes to truly take care of children.

“They’re a full-time job,” I tell her, glancing up to make eye contact. “But I love it. Honestly, on most days it doesn’t even feel like work.”

And that’s the truth. My heart aches at the thought of no longer having the privilege of taking care of Molly and Ryan, because that’s what it is. I love watching them grow and learn. I love experiencing things through their eyes. I love making them happy, because they make me happy.

“Well, don’t go playing house,” she says disapprovingly. “As much as I’d like to have grandchildren one of these days, we don’t need a scandal on our hands.”

Feeling my face heat at the accusation, I look down at the bowl that’s placed in front of me. Thankful that dinner is being served and I can pretend to be hungry, instead of avoiding that topic of conversation.

My family picks up the slack and fills the void while I mull over what my mother said.

Playing house.

I have been doing that.

What she didn’t say is that it’s a good way to get your heart broken, because that’s what will happen if Owen decides he wants me to leave for good.

I’ll be devastated.

“You okay?” Ben asks as we walk out together a couple hours later.

Turning to look at him, I school my features. “Yeah, why?”

He shrugs, hitting the unlock on his car and making it beep. “You just seemed distant during dinner. And I have a feeling it has to do with this job… or maybe your boss.” His brows furrow and he gets a serious look on his face, much more serious than his usual easy demeanor. “He’s good to you, right? You’d tell me if he’s an asshole?”

Barking out a laugh, I look out across the lush lawn that’s warmly lit by the setting sun.

“Owen is the farthest thing from an asshole,” I tell him. “He’s good, like down to his soul. And I love my job. The kids are amazing.”

“But…” Ben prods.

Averting my gaze to my feet, I toe the concrete drive. “But things are complicated.”

“Ah, I figured.”

“How did you figure?”

Shrugging again, he sighs. “Call it a brother’s intuition, but I sensed something there. The way you look when he’s mentioned… it’s like your eyes light up and your face looks all… dreamy or something.”

“Like I said, it’s complicated.”

“Fine,” he says, backing up toward his car with his hands raised in surrender. “You don’t have to tell me, but if you need to talk, I’m here. Or if you need me to kick a Major League Baseball player’s ass… I’m here for that too.”

That makes me really laugh. First, I’d never want to see Bennett and Owen fight, but it’d probably be a fairly even match. They’re both built similar, with lean muscles and a tall frame. However, they’re both so not the brawling type.

“Thanks, Ben.”

“Anytime.” He flashes me a smile and a wink that I have no doubt wins over the ladies. “Call me.”

“I will.”

Once I’m in my car, Bennett waits for me to drive out ahead of him before he pulls out. I love that my brother is protective. He’s always been someone I can depend on and I’d love for him to meet Owen, under the right circumstances.

But until we get past this, I don’t want to bring anyone else into the mix. It would just make it that much harder if things don’t work out.

A few minutes later, as I approach Owen’s house, I slow down before reaching the drive.

There’s a white car beside Owen’s Land Rover.

I’m sure it’s Lisa’s, which means she’s still here.

Instead of stopping, I keep driving. When I get to the next block, I pull over to the side of the road and text Owen.

Me: Do I need to stay at my apartment tonight?

My finger hovers over the arrow to send the message and my stomach churns.

What if he says yes?

What would that mean?

Just do it, Sophie.

Hitting send, I swear I hold my breath until the dots appear and Owen replies.

Owen: Give me 5 minutes.

Glancing down at the clock, I realize it’s already after nine, which means the kids are in bed.

Which also means Lisa and Owen are alone in the house.

God, I can’t do this.

Leaning over, I rest my head on the steering wheel and wish all of this away.

I wish we could go back to a few days ago, but that wouldn’t make it better, would it? Lisa would still be their mother and there would still be question marks around every corner.

It’s best that she’s here and all of this is out in the open, regardless of how much it sucks.

Almost ten minutes later, I finally pull away from the curb and drive back around the block. As I approach Owen’s house again, I see her car backing out of the driveway. I try not to look as we pass but fail. It’s dark, but I can still faintly make out her profile and I swear for a brief second, our eyes meet.

That same sick feeling is back in the pit of my stomach, but it’s more—different—like a gut check. Maybe I’m projecting my insecurities on the situation, but there’s something about her sudden return that doesn’t sit well with me.

Why now?

She’s been gone for almost two years and according to Owen, her rehab stint was six months, so what has she been doing for the other months? And what made her decide she was finally ready to see her children?

Last night when I got in the house, Owen was waiting on me, but I could tell there’d been a shift. His mood was solemn and when he walked me up the stairs, we didn’t speak. We also didn’t have sex. He just stripped me out of my clothes and pulled back the covers for me to slip into bed.

When he crawled in next to me and wrapped his arms around me, it felt like he was trying to anchor me against an unseen force.

As his breathing evened out, I turned in his arms and watched him sleep. The creases in his forehead that usually ease when he sleeps were still present. I rubbed at them with my thumb until he finally relaxed. Then I gently kissed his lips and spent hours memorizing his gorgeous face.

Eventually, I fell asleep, but only for a few hours.

Waking, I notice the bed is empty beside me and Owen is already in the shower. He has an early game today and I’d thought about taking the kids, but now that Lisa’s here, everything feels different.

Popping my head inside the bathroom, I tap on the door to alert him to my presence.

“Hey,” I call out quietly. “I wasn’t sure what you want me to do today…”

Do you want me to stay?

Should I go?

What is my role here right now?

He pops his head out of the shower, water darkening his hair and making his strong jaw more prominent. God, he’s beautiful, so achingly beautiful I want to go to him and lose myself in his body… feel him inside me.

“I need you to stay,” he says solemnly. “Lisa is coming back, but I have to report to the field early today. I don’t trust her to be here alone with the kids.”

That admittance makes me feel worse and better all at the same time. Plus, not knowing what to expect makes me feel anxious. I also wasn’t expecting him to be so matter of fact with me. I’ve been so used to his relaxed and happy side; I’d forgotten how serious he can be.

“Okay,” I tell him, swallowing down my nerves. “When will she be here?”

“I told her to be back by nine. I’ll leave shortly after that.”

When he ducks back under the shower, I take the opportunity to close my eyes and breathe. I can do this. For Molly and Ryan, I can do this.

For Owen, I can do this.

“Okay, I’ll go get dressed.”

With that, I leave the bathroom and quietly make it downstairs. On my way to my bedroom, I peek in on Molly, who’s still sleeping soundly, and then Ryan, who’s snuggled up with his dinosaurs and lightly snoring.

Smiling to myself and feeling a little better by just seeing their sweet faces, I slip into my bedroom and head to the shower. After I’m ready for the day, my damp hair plaited into a braid, I go into the kitchen and start making breakfast.

Omelets for Owen and me.

Pancakes and bacon for the kids.

“Smells great,” Owen comments as he walks into the kitchen, heading straight for the coffee pot. “Thanks for doing that.”

“Of course,” I tell him, glancing over my shoulder and appreciating the way he looks in his warm-up gear.

A cup of coffee shows up at my side as he presses his lips to my cheek. It’s not our normal greeting. There’s no ass-grabbing or being pressed up against the counter. But it’s sweet and I’ll take it. I know he has a lot on his mind right now and I only want to make things easier for him, not harder.

But I do have a few questions.

“What should I expect for today?” I ask, keeping my attention on the stove.

There’s a long pause and I’m wondering if Owen is going to answer me when I hear him let out a long exhale. “I don’t know, to be honest. When she came over yesterday, she just wanted to hang out with the kids and spend time with them. So, I guess more of that. I… I just don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone with them,” he says, dropping his voice to a near whisper. “Even before she left, there was always a nanny around when I was gone.”

I nod and turn to face him.

“What does she know about me?” I ask before I can think better of it. I want to ask what does she know about us, but technically, there is no us. We’ve both avoided that conversation, even though I know what we’re both feeling is more than casual sex.

Owen’s eyes lock on mine and his jaw tenses. “I haven’t said anything, other than the fact we have a nanny. Most of our conversation revolved around the kids.”

Nodding again, I turn back to the stove and finish flipping the last two pancakes. Pulling the bacon from the skillet and placing it on a paper towel, I turn off the burners and go about making Molly and Ryan a plate. They’ll be up soon and I don’t want to be having this conversation when they make their way into the kitchen.

“Look,” Owen says, leaning against the counter beside me. “I hate putting you in this position and I know it isn’t easy, but you have to know I didn’t plan this. There’s no playbook for what to do when the mother of your children suddenly shows back up. I’m doing my best here.”

“I know,” I tell him, trying to put as much understanding and empathy as I can into those two words. At a loss for anything else to say at the moment, I busy myself around the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Molly shuffles in looking rumbled from sleep.

“Good morning, sunshine,” I say, walking over and brushing her hair out of her face, thankful for the distraction her presence brings. “How about some pancakes and bacon?”

Her face lights up and she nods. “Yes, please.”

Ryan joins us shortly after and the four of us sit down to eat breakfast. It feels normal and for a moment, I forget Lisa will be joining us, until the doorbell rings.

Molly abandons her plate and hops up to go to the door.

“Not so fast.” Owen wipes his mouth on a napkin and follows behind her.

But Ryan stays behind, eyeing me over a hearty bite of pancakes.

“Are you excited for today?” I ask, trying to get a feel for how he’s handling all of this.

He shrugs his little shoulders and continues to eat. Even when we hear Lisa’s voice in the hallway, he still doesn’t budge.

I’m cleaning off the table when Owen, Molly, and Lisa walk into the kitchen.

Owen’s eyes find mine and I can see the war going on behind them—nervousness, anxiousness, and a little dread, mixed with other things I can’t quite put my finger on.

The feeling is mutual.

“Lisa,” he starts, turning back to her. “This is Sophie Callahan, our nanny.”

Our nanny.

Yes, that’s what I am. If I’d forgotten that before the last couple days, I’m remembering it now. Owen’s change in demeanor is a driving force behind that. He’s putting back up some of the walls that had come down. If I had to guess, it’s his way of compartmentalizing things and handling all the stress that’s suddenly come his way.

It’s understandable, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.

I swallow down the lump in my throat and force a smile, reaching across the counter I offer her my outstretched hand. “It’s really nice to meet you.”

Her expression is unreadable, but I swear there’s recognition somewhere in her eyes. It can’t be from last night when I passed her on the street, because she didn’t know it was me and it was dark. But I ignore it and shake her hand when she places hers in mine.

That feeling of something not being right creeping back up.

“Nice to meet you too,” she says, with a smile as fake as my own. Being a Callahan, I’ve experienced a lot of fakeness in my life and I can smell it from a mile away and Lisa has a thick layer of it coating her skin like a mask.

“Sophie basically lives with us,” Owen continues. “So she’ll be here all day.” The look he gives me says he’s lost for what else to say.

Thankfully, Molly makes up for it, diffusing some of the awkwardness. “We can make bracelets,” she says excitedly, taking Lisa’s hand and guiding her down the hall. “And then Sophie will help us make monster cookies. Right, Sophie?”

I smile, a little more genuine this time. “Maybe after lunch,” I call out, noticing how Lisa turns back to look at me before disappearing into Molly’s room.

Owen and I share an unspoken conversation for a moment.

This is weird, right?

What am I supposed to do?

Please stay.

“I better go,” he says, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. “Call me, I guess, if you need anything.”

“Okay,” I say, my eyes going to Ryan who still seems to be observing more than interacting.

As he walks over and snuggles into my side, I notice Owen giving him a wary look.

“We’ll be fine. Right, buddy?” I ask, ruffling Ryan’s soft hair.

“Can I watch CoComelon?”

“Sure.”

Glancing up, I give Owen a reassuring smile. Regardless of how hard and weird this day might be, one thing is for sure, I will take good care of Ryan and Molly. He knows that and after another long moment, he gives a sharp nod before leaving.

After he’s gone, Ryan and I walk into the living room and settle into our favorite spot on the couch. “How about we watch CoComelon for thirty minutes and then we change into some swimsuits and go swimming? Then, later we can make homemade pizzas and watch the Revelers play on television.”

“Okay.”

For the next half hour, I let Ryan escape into his cartoon while I escape into my thoughts, with one ear down the hall, listening to Molly’s quiet chatter as she fills her mom in on all the things she’s missed out on.

This is good, I tell myself.

Molly needs this.

And Ryan needs this. He needs me to help him feel secure. So, I’ll give Molly and Lisa their space, and in the meantime, I’ll be Ryan’s safety net.

When the thirty minutes are up, I power off the television and walk with Ryan to his room to find some swim trunks. Once I’ve helped him change, I leave him in his room while I go to mine and put on my swimsuit.

Before I go check on Ryan again, I pop my head in on Molly and Lisa.

“Hey,” I say, getting their attention. “We’re going for a swim if you want to come.”

Molly looks at Lisa and then up at me. “I want to swim.”

“Okay, let’s get you in a suit,” I say, automatically going to her drawer to find her favorite blue mermaid one, but pull up short. “Unless, your mom wants to help you with that.”

Lisa stands and walks to the door. “Actually, I need to make a phone call,” she says, her eyes darting from me to Molly and back. “I’ll meet you at the pool.”

I can see the slight panic on Molly’s face, probably wondering if she really means it or if she’ll suddenly disappear and never come back again. That train of thought isn’t good for either of us, so I redirect back to the task at hand.

“Blue mermaid or purple unicorn?” I ask, opening the drawer and holding them both up.

Her face lights up as she smiles. “Mermaid!”

“That’s what I thought,” I say, giving her a wink. “Can you do it or do you need my help?”

“I can do it.”

“Awesome. You get changed and Ryan and I will grab some towels.”

When I walk out of her room and gently close the door, I train my ear toward the front of the house and listen for Lisa. All I can make out is her husky voice speaking low enough to keep me from hearing any of her conversation.

Ryan pokes his head out about that time with two rubber dinosaurs that he loves to play with in the tub and pool. One shoots water out of its mouth.

“I see you’re ready.”

“Yep,” he says, excitement on his face.

Opening a hall closet, I grab three towels and head toward the kitchen. As I’m filling our water bottles, Molly walks in, looking adorable in her swimsuit and matching flip flops.

“Do we need a snack yet?” I ask.

Both kids agree on orange slices and veggie straws, which I put in a container, and then we head outside.

They’re both in full on swim mode by the time Lisa makes her way out to join us.

For a second, she pauses at the gate and I wonder what she’s thinking. If I was her, I’d be feeling the loss of the last two years, realizing how much I missed while I was gone.

I’ve only known Molly for about four months, but she’s already changed so much in that time. And it feels like Ryan changes every day. They’re both at the age where their little minds are expanding and stretching while their bodies do the same.

You can blink and miss something.

My heart feels sad for Lisa, sad for all the time and moments she’ll never get back.

And in the same breath, I feel sorry for myself, because there’s a chance my time with the Thatchers will be up soon and I’ll be the one missing out.

“Sophie!” Molly calls out. “Watch me do a flip!”

I smile and give her a thumbs up so she knows I’m watching. Thankfully, both kids are great swimmers, but I’m never more than a few feet away.

“She’s like a little fish,” Lisa says, startling me with her proximity. “I didn’t even know she could swim.”

Clearing my throat, I keep my eyes on Molly who’s gripping the side of the pool and bringing her feet up to kick off, so she can do her backflip. “Yeah, she’s amazing. Ryan too. They both do really well.”

The air around us feels stifling and I think about diving in with the kids just to escape it, but I don’t want to be rude. Since I also don’t know how long Lisa will be here or what it will be like going forward, I decide I need to make an effort.

“Would you like to borrow a swimsuit?” I ask, glancing over at her. She’s petite, like me, maybe even a little smaller, but she could make one of my suits work. “I’m sure they’d love you to swim with them.”

She cuts her eyes over at me and then back to the kids. “That’s okay. I’m not really a fan of swimming pools.”

As the day goes on, I realize Lisa’s not a fan of a lot of things: pools, baking cookies, riding bikes, doing puzzles, or playing with dinosaurs.

Later, as the kids and I start making homemade pizzas, she excuses herself for another phone call that takes over an hour. When she finally returns, the baseball game is on and she seems to make herself at home by getting some pizza and grabbing a Coke.

The four of us sit in the living room and watch the game.

Well, I watch the game.

Molly and Ryan semi-watch the game while also running in and out of the living room, bringing toys and things each time they come and go.

But Lisa is mostly engrossed in her phone, not paying attention to the kids or the game.

Thankfully, Owen pitches a great eighth inning, retiring three batters in a row, and the Revelers win. I noticed Lisa checking the score on the television every once in a while, and I wanted to engage her in conversation, but I’m still at a loss on what to say.

The few times I’ve tried, she’s shot me down with short answers and complete disinterest.

“Who wants to help with dinner?” I ask, rising from the couch and folding a couple blankets the kids dragged out during the game.

“Me!” Ryan exclaims, running ahead to the kitchen.

“Me too!” Molly says, following behind him.

We spend the next hour preparing a pasta bake that Owen loves. The kids have fun measuring out ingredients and helping me mix everything together. Ryan’s favorite part is adding the cheese to the top before it goes in the oven.

Once we’re finished, I send them both to their rooms to clean up and I go back to the living room to check on Lisa. She’s no longer sitting in the chair on her phone. Instead, she’s now standing over by the window talking quietly to someone on the phone.

Is it the same person she’s been talking to all day?

Her friends in California?

Someone local?

Maybe I’m not giving her enough credit and she’s been talking to a counselor or something?

That thought makes me feel a twinge of guilt and I check myself for a moment, trying to put myself in her shoes. She’s been through a lot, if what she’s saying is true. I’ve never battled with addiction and I can only imagine what that’s like. If she was bad enough to leave her children behind, it must’ve been a horrible thing to go through.

“Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes,” I say, quietly, but loud enough for her to hear me.

She gives me a glance over her shoulder but continues her conversation.

I decide to give her some privacy and go to check on Molly and Ryan.

Owen gets home a little earlier than I expected and the kids are just as excited to see him today as they are when he returns from a long road trip. They both meet him at the door and I can’t help but notice the way Lisa watches them.

“Were you good today?” Owen asks, picking Ryan up like a sack of potatoes and making him laugh.

“Yes,” he says, giggling and making my heart feel all warm and fuzzy.

“We made dinner,” Molly announces. “Can mommy stay for dinner?”

That gets Owen’s attention and his eyes snap up to mine and then to Lisa.

“Sure, Molls,” he says, smiling down at her.

“Can she stay the night too?” Molly asks, catching all of us off guard. “She can sleep in my room!”

“Oh, honey, I couldn’t impose, but I love that you want me to stay with you.” Lisa’s voice is so sugary sweet, my teeth start aching. I’m trying to keep a good attitude about this but the idea of her staying here any longer makes me sick to my stomach.

We all seem to be watching Owen as he struggles to answer his daughter. I don’t envy him but I wish he’d put his foot down and say no. It’s no surprise, though, when he lets out a deep breath and gives a small smile to Molly. “Sure, she can stay but we have a guest room she can use.”

Deciding I don’t want or need to be here while they finalize these new plans with Lisa, I head back to the kitchen and contemplate demanding a raise.