Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 73

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Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 73

Laurie’s mouth thinned into a tight line. “I would ask if it was the best thing for Zoe. That’s all
that matters, right? You’re a fantastic dad, don’t get me wrong, but you’re busier than ever with
the restaurant, and I think growing up away from all this”—she made a window-washing motion
with her palm in the direction of her mom’s house—“might be for the best. But again, this is all
up in the air!”
Nick opened his mouth to protest, but the words clogged his throat. Maybe Laurie had a point
about spending the rest of the holiday arguing; the discussion they needed to have was sure to
be a long one, and they weren’t going to come to any real decisions today.
“Okay.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to stave off the headache that was coming hot
on the heels of a stomachache. And heartache. “Yeah. Let’s schedule that long talk. I’ll need
some time to wrap my head around this idea, anyway.”
“Exactly. After the holidays, we’ll discuss it.” Laurie nodded. “This sucks, Nick, I know. But please
try to keep an open mind, okay?”
Nick swallowed. “Whatever’s best for Zoe, like we always say.” A small part of him was already
leaping for solutions that would keep Zoe with him, but he told himself that he should at least
be willing to hear Laurie out. Later. If he could get his head clear.
“Well.” Laurie started toward the sliding door, awkward but resigned. “We should probably get
back in there. There’s pie.”
Ugh. Nick could very much miss Kay’s “famous” pumpkin pie and never once mourn it. It had
raisins. “Why don’t you go ahead?” he said, scratching at his brow with his thumbnail. “I’ll be
there in a minute. Just want to give myself some time to, you know, cool down.”
Laurie paused with her hand on the door. “Are we good?”
Nick thought about his answer carefully. “We’re not bad,” he finally said. That was the best he
could do at the moment.
Laurie seemed to understand. “For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t want to have a co-parenting fight
with anyone else.”
That got Nick to raise the corner of his mouth, at least. “Same,” he said.

-- 176 of 228 --

The door slid open with a whoosh, and she disappeared into the house. Nick stood there on the
patio for a long moment, contemplating the little robot that was chugging along the bottom of
the pool, sucking up debris. It would keep going around and around in circles until someone
pulled it out of the water. Nick could relate.
He couldn’t help but think about what he would do if Laurie and Zoe really did move to Arizona.
Without his kid around, what was the point of staying in New Port Stephen? His dad was here,
of course. And his job, though he could probably find work at any restaurant anywhere.
And maybe Eli. Probably not for long, though.
Nick paced along the pool’s edge. He wanted to talk this through with someone he could trust.
A friend that would listen, who he could be angry in front of. He hadn’t planned on calling so
soon after their—tryst? Momentary lapse of reason? Whatever it was, Eli was still his friend,
right?
“Screw it,” Nick muttered. He pulled out his phone.