Tuesday night, Rachel lifted the lid off the pasta primavera, the aroma of tomato and spices filling her nostrils. She was stirring when her cell phone rang from its place on the kitchen counter. She hoped it was Hunter, although she knew he traveled for his business. She flipped her phone over.
Richie. She answered the phone with her free hand. “Hello.”
“Rachel, I need to pick the kids up right after school Friday.” Her ex didn’t bother with hello. “Can you have them ready?” It wasn’t the words so much as how he asked. Like she wasn’t capable of making it happen.
She rolled her eyes. “Sure. Also, this Saturday is Brittany’s birthday party and sleepover. Violet should be there around five o’clock. She’ll have a wrapped present with her.”
“Wait a minute. It’s a sleepover?” Richie’s voic
