“No buts. You are two mature, compassionate people who are not doing anything wrong. You’ve talked it out, right? You’re both going in with the same expectations? Friendly and on the down-low?”

Zoey nodded.

“As far as Hazel goes,” Tani continued. “I understand you want to shield her from any more stress. But the reality is, her parents are divorced. You moved her into a new house. Chris is marrying Genna, who’s having a baby. It’s a lot, but Hazel has navigated all of that really well.” Zoey started to argue, but Tani talked over her. “Was she upset when you and Chris told her about the divorce?”

“Very.” There had been weeks of tears and bargaining and pleading.

“Is she okay with it now?”

“Relatively. She’ll never be thrilled, but she accepts it.”

“And Chris and Genna? Isn’t she about to be in their wedding party?”

“Well, yes, but it doesn’t mean it was easy for her to reach that point,” Zoey answered, thinking of her comment about coming in third or fourth in her dad’s life. She needed to feel number one to Zoey. And Hazel didn’t hate Genna. They were bonding over dress shopping. Hooray...

“Exactly,” Tani said with a nod. “Hazel has handled everything life has thrown at her so far. If your relationship with Mike goes anywhere, she’ll deal with that, too. It’s not like she really wants you to move to a convent. Kids tend to just say ridiculous stuff like that.” She chuckled. “When Tyson was ten, he told me that if I really loved him I’d quit my job so I’d always be home when he needed me. But I told him he wouldn’t have been very happy without all the toys and amusement park trips my income gave us.”

Zoey drained her coffee cup and walked over to the sink to rinse it. Then she stopped, turning to face her friend with narrowed eyes.

“Three years ago? Isn’t that when you went from full-time to part-time at the furniture store? So you’d be home more?”

Tani laughed. “Yes, okay. I did adjust my life for him. My point is that I didn’t upend it completely, or deny myself a job I love because of something my little boy said when he was upset. My job makes me happy. And that makes me a better person. Which makes me a better mom.”

“Are you saying having a wild love affair with Mike McKinnon will make me a better person?”

“You’ve already said he makes you happy, so...yeah.” Tani stood and joined Zoey at the sink. “Of course, that’s assuming one of you doesn’t break the other’s heart.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“VICKIE, WE NEED to talk.” Gordon... Gordy...set his coffee mug on her counter.