“Nonsense. Bill and I will drive him back after Victor leaves, like we always do.” She huffs like my offering is the real imposition. "And besides, Christian likes to go to that pancake place in Valley so we'll take him for pancakes and then drop him off after. Unless you'd like to join?"

That pancake place is IHOP, but she refuses to call it by name, another Nadine quirk. I mull over her invite. I never know if the correct answer is yes or no. We have a decent relationship, but I don't want to intrude on her time. Christian races by me and I grab hold of him to hug him before I leave. "I think I'll leave the pancake party to you guys."

He bounces at my side. "Are we going to IHOP?"

Oops. I shoot her an apologetic look.

"Not until Sunday, but if you go inside, you'll find blueberry muffins waiting for you. Say goodbye to your mom first."

She takes a few steps toward the house to allow us to say our goodbyes.

“You be good for Grandma and Grandpa, okay?”

He nods once, but his eyes are already darting toward Rex. “Hey, look at me.” He does, albeit reluctantly. “I mean it. Listen to Grandma and promise me you’ll have lots of fun with Daddy when he gets here, okay? You can show him your new soccer skills.”

“What about you? You won’t have any fun without me around.”

My chest hurts at the idea he worries about me while he’s supposed to be having fun with his dad. “I promise to try if you do, deal?”

He smiles and bobs his head, and I step back. “I love you. See you on Sunday.”

“Bye,” he calls out as he runs toward the house. “Loooove you.”

I watch him disappear into the house before I get in the car, already missing him. I know the time he spends with his father and grandparents is good for him, but it makes for a long weekend for me.

The only silver lining? It’s Thursday, my favorite day of the week.

5

KATRINA

I work at the campus café twice a week – Tuesdays and Thursdays. With my scholarships and some student loans to help cover the remaining of our living expenses, it’s enough money to cover the necessities without keeping me away from Christian at night. And honestly, I like the time to myself. Especially Thursdays.

At exactly ten fifty-three he walks through the door into University Hall. Every Thursday is the same and every Thursday I wait eagerly. His eyes find mine and a cocksure smile lifts the corners of his stunning mouth. His confident stride is long but unhurried.

I don’t allow myself to ogle his body because that would be giving in to the battle of wills we’ve been engaging in for months. But I know what I’d see if I did.

Black hair, light brown skin, a lean but muscular body that he covers in clothes that hug his body and look like they’ve been selected by a freaking stylist.