“Maven, I’d love to go,” I answer, shocking myself and Dallas.
She springs off the couch. “I told you she’d say yes, Daddy!” She wraps her short arms around me and jumps up and down.
My heart warms. I’m doing the right thing. Going to her Parents’ Night will help me just as much as her.
We devoured our dinner, and Maven fell asleep on the couch while watching cartoons.
“Want to talk?” Dallas asks.
I’m not reluctant this time. I’m not going to blow him off. I lead him to the kitchen.
He blurts out his apology as soon as we sit down. “I don’t know where the hell the mommy thing came from. I’ll break the news to Maven and tell her you had something come up.”
“I’m going,” is all I reply, but so much is said in those words.
“You don’t have to do it if you don’t feel comfortable. You looked like she’d asked for a kidney.”
“It surprised me, is all. I want to go. I know what the need feels like to have two parents at functions because I was the little girl whose father never showed up. It was heartbreaking, and if me doing something as small as showing up makes that little girl feel better, I’ll be there.”
He leans forward and presses his lips to mine. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“You’re going to love my school!” Maven squeals when we pull into the parking lot of the elementary school.
I run a hand down my stomach. No more hiding the baby bump. No more hiding my affection for Dallas and his little girl.
Maven’s class is small, and we take a table in the back. Parents fill the room, greeting each other and spewing off question after question.
Everyone knows everybody.
Except for me.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t know of me.
“Oh, you’re that actress girl’s friend, right?”
“So, Dallas, this is the woman you’ve been spending all your time with?”
“I heard about what happened at the birthday party. That sounds so tragic to have the news come out like that.”
If they’re not asking ridiculous questions, they’re staring.
There are a few exceptions though. Not everyone is nosy and rude. A few have introduced themselves without fishing for gossip, and they seemed genuine.
Dallas took Maven up to select her cubby, and my body tenses when someone sits down next to me.
“I was hoping you’d come,” Beth says in a soft voice. “My daughter and Maven are in the same class this year. They’re going to have a blast together.” She smiles. “This is the first time I’ve seen you since you picked her up from preschool, so I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you on the baby, and give my condolences on your miscarriage.”
I flinch.
“I hope you don’t mind that Maven told me, but I promise, your business is not mine to tell.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“How far along are you?”
This isn’t an interrogation. She’s not asking me this question out of spite. There is not a doubt in my mind that she’s truly happy I’m having this baby.
“About five months,” I answer, giving her a smile back.
“I remember the anticipation as the date gets closer. You’re nervous the baby is going to come anytime.”
I smile and nod. I’m more nervous of losing my baby.
Our attention is caught at the sound of Maven laughing. Dallas is down on one knee, helping her decorate her cubby with stickers and stuffed animals.
Beth tilts her head toward them. “He’s a good man. A broken one, yes, but still a good one.”
“He’s been a good friend to me.”
“Just a friend?”
I shrug. “Our situation is … complicated.”
She pats my shoulder. “I hope I’m not overstepping my boundaries here, but there’s something I want to give you.” She opens her purse, and I notice the water in her eyes as she places a folded piece of paper in my hand. “My sister wrote this before she passed and asked me to give it to the woman Dallas fell in love with.” She closes her hand around mine as a tear passes down her cheek.
I jerk it back to her. “You’re mistaken. Dallas isn’t in love with me.”
“Read it. It’ll help you understand how he loves you.”
I don’t mention the letter to Dallas.
I keep it tucked in my pocket and constantly check to make sure it hasn’t fallen out all evening. The meeting doesn’t last much longer after Beth leaves, and Dallas and Maven convince me to go out for dessert before going home.
Other than doctor’s appointments, which Aidan started sneaking us through the back door for, this is my first time stepping out with Dallas since the miscarriage. I’ve been so terrified of getting judged, of people staring, of hearing vicious things coming out of their mouths, but I’m done with that now.
Tonight has made me feel comfortable.
Tonight hasn’t made me feel like such an outsider.
Maven doesn’t hesitate in unbuckling her seat belt when Dallas pulls up to my apartment. They’ve been here more than their house lately. She heads straight to the couch and drags out the crayons and coloring books I leave for her in the coffee table drawer. Her tongue sticks out as she colors, and Dallas makes each of us a cup of tea.
We watch a movie until she falls asleep with a crayon still in her hand. He kisses me good-bye, and they leave. I’m picking up the mess when I remember the letter. I take a deep breath, not knowing what I’m getting myself into, and lie back on the couch before opening it.
To the lucky woman who reads this.
Hello,
My name is Lucy. I’m sure you’ve heard about me. Possibly seen my pictures, my belongings, traces of me in the home we shared. You might’ve even known me.
I was Dallas’s wife. And, since you’re reading this, I’m no longer here.
Dallas is a difficult man. Always has been. He’ll be even more difficult after my death, but please don’t give up on him. If he’s opened up his heart enough for you to receive this letter, you have something extraordinary. Receiving this letter means he’s in love with you. I’m sure he’s fighting it because he wouldn’t be a Barnes boy if he didn’t fight the reality that’s right in front of him.
Watch his actions. Those are what speak his love. He’s not the best at words, but the more you let him in, the more he opens up for you.
Don’t be afraid. We’ve all had other loves. Don’t think he can only have one because you’ve proven that wrong.
Please don’t give up on him because he won’t give up on you. When you make your way into his heart, he’ll fight to keep you there. He’s the strongest man I’ve ever known.
Thank you for loving my family and give Maven a kiss for me.
Lucy
I’m in tears when I finish, and I hold the letter to my heart.
Chapter Forty-One
Dallas
Willow: We need to talk.