Hazel’s shoulder rose and fell in a tiny shrug.

“Genna asked me to be the maid of honor in the wedding.”

It was a nice gesture. Zoey should be happy her daughter was being included in the plans. It wasn’t as if there was any chance she and Chris would ever reconcile. That ship had sailed, burned and sunk. But...this made things feel very final. Her ex was remarrying. And having a baby with someone else. And what was she doing? Well, for one thing, she wasn’t indulging herself by starting a brand-new family. She was focusing on her daughter. She was doing the right thing, damn it. She cleared her throat.

“Do you want to be maid of honor?”

Hazel hesitated, and Zoey realized with a sharp stab to her heart that her daughter was trying to protect her. The kid had enough on her shoulders without thinking she couldn’t talk to her mom about certain things. Zoey turned her hand and entwined her fingers with Hazel’s.

“It’s okay to want to be her maid of honor. It’s really nice that she asked you. I’m sure you’ll have fun. I’m just saying if you don’t want to...”

“I told her I would.” Hazel’s voice was still low and hesitant.

“That’s wonderful!” Just freaking fabulous.

“Why are you yelling, Mom? Are you sure you’re okay?”

She did her best to smile, for real this time.

“I’m not gonna lie, this is...weird for me. I want your dad to be happy. I don’t really know Genna-with-a-G...” She stopped, her eyes falling shut. She’d been sabotaging her daughter’s relationship with the woman who would soon be her stepmother. It wasn’t fair to Hazel. Or to the woman Zoey would be coparenting with. “A-n-d I clearly need to stop saying that. Sorry. I barely know Genna, but that will have to change now that she’s marrying your father.” She’d have to see the perky young blonde as more than just the woman who broke up her marriage. That had always been too simplistic anyway. Genna hadn’t lured Chris away—he’d been a willing participant in the affair. She looked into Hazel’s eyes. “This is new territory for all of us, and we’ll have to find our way through it together.”

Hazel studied Zoey’s face as if trying to decide how much she should say.

“Genna’s not that bad, Mom.” Another long pause. “But I’m glad you’re...you know...not with anyone. Not dating or...”