From Time

Sandra's Rose🌹

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For the past few weeks, I'd been seeing less and less of Jay. His new way of doing things consisted of late-night calls and messages I wouldn't see until the morning. Honestly, I was glad I'd taken my time with him — the last thing I wanted was to introduce my daughter and family to a man who wasn't going to stick around.

Then there was Drake. Him buying me a car had the internet buzzing, and I couldn't help but wonder if it had stirred something in Jay too.

I had just gotten back from Miami with Lexus and a few of our friends. Shopping, parties, and nonstop laughter filled the trip, and on the flight home, we even started planning our next getaway. Bora Bora seemed like the perfect spot, according to her.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted and jet-lagged. I was supposed to pick up Áaela from Mom, but that could wait until tomorrow. After a long, hot shower, I slipped into something comfortable and collapsed into bed, letting the quiet of my apartment settle around me.

4:30pm

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!"

Áaela's tiny voice echoed down the hallway.

"Áaela Ariel Graham! Don't do that — your mom is sleeping,"

my mother called out, trying to shush her.

"No, Mom! It's okay, I'm up now,"

I said, yawning as Mom led Áaela out of the room.

"Oh, you're up! I'll fix something for you guys to eat. How was Miami?"

she asked.

"Fun,"

I replied, lifting the covers.

"You know how Lexus gets."

I glanced at the clock.

"What time is it?"

"It's  almost five. By the way... did you know about Drake's girlfriend?"

Mom asked carefully.

My stomach dropped.

"Uh... yeah. Her name's Erica,"

I admitted.

"Well, I'm assuming she was at the house when Drake had Áaela?"

Mom said, raising an eyebrow.

"Because Áaela has been talking about her, and honestly... I'm not trying to overstep, but are they serious enough to let Áaela be around her?"

"I... I didn't know you didn't know,"

I said, reaching for my phone.

"Or that she was at the house when Áaela stayed."

Drake and I had an agreement: no partners meeting Áaela without a heads-up. I hated that hearing Erica's name still made my chest tighten. Why did he have this effect on me, even now?

I found my phone and dialed him, counting to ten before he answered. Mom and Áaela left to start dinner, giving me a moment of quiet — though my nerves were far from calm.

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Phone Conversation:

Drake: Hello?

Ess: Hi. I just found out from Áaela that she met Erica. Care to explain that?

Drake: Ess, that wasn't planned. It just... happened.

Ess: Just happened? Drake, you knew Áaela was coming two weeks ago. You knew. How does someone just "happen" to meet your kid?

Drake: Look, I didn't tell Erica... she just showed up. I swear, it wasn't intentional.