“Meanwhile, at one time, we had to force you to shut up.”

“Says the chattiest guy in every room.”

Amanda raised her hand and said, “Even I agree with that.”

She felt a fraction better in that moment. Wyatt was always a positive presence, and having a regular conversation felt good. She didn’t feel pressured to remember any of the missing details of Wyatt’s life. They continued chatting casually about Wyatt’s impending fatherhood, Carly’s wildest cravings, and how Amanda knew where to find the best kebabs in central Jersey. Over an hour had passed when someone questioned Jax’s absence.

“Is Jax freezing the cream herself?” Wyatt stood and pulled on his coat. “Let her know I stopped by.”

“I can’t believe she’s taking this long,” Amanda said, checking her watch.

“You know how Caleb can be,” Wyatt said. “You tell him to get his shoes, and he comes back with a dinosaur.” Wyatt and Amanda laughed.

Gretchen felt left out of the joke. Like she wasn’t even part of her own child’s life. “Is he really that much of a handful?”

Wyatt’s face fell, and Gretchen could see the wheels turning as he processed just how much she didn’t remember. “No. He’s great, like, really great.”

“He is the perfect balance of sugar and spice,” Amanda explained, “but the sugar has made him very hyper.”

Wyatt pointed at Amanda. “What she said. It was great seeing and talking with you. You look terrific.” Wyatt gave Gretchen another quick kiss and turned to Amanda. “Make sure you give Jax shit for missing me.”

“I will,” Amanda said, laughing softly. “Especially if she was with her little girl—” Amanda’s eyes flew wide. “Especially if she was with her boss. He probably called her in.” Amanda and Wyatt stood awkwardly and stared at one another.

Gretchen knew her ears did not deceive her. “Were you going to say girlfriend?”

Wyatt bowed. “I’m out. See you soon.”

“Jax has a girlfriend?”

Amanda turned to Gretchen slowly. She clasped her hands together, white-knuckled, and closed her eyes. “This is none of my business.”

“You opened the can of worms, Amanda—now tell me.”

“It’s not my business to tell, and I don’t know everything.”

Her heart was pounding. “Is this girl the reason why she asked for a divorce?”

“You have to talk to Jax about this, not me.”

Then, Jax walked into the room with Caleb at her side. “Go say hi to Mama.”

Caleb’s eyes were so bright with happiness, Gretchen momentarily forgot her anger. He ran to her bedside and didn’t hesitate to climb up to sit with her.

Every second of fear and discontent melted away once Caleb burrowed into her side. She pressed her nose into his unruly hair and recognized his scent, even if she didn’t recognize him. She pulled Caleb into a tight hug that made her feel a little more whole and a little less like her whole world was spiraling out of her control.

“Not too tight, Cricket,” Jax said. “Mama’s still healing.”