Three months later, Kassie was loading the dishwasher when her phone rang. Daniel’s name lit up the screen.
“Hey,” she answered.
“Hey yourself. What are you doing?”
“Exciting Saturday night stuff. Dishes. Laundry. Living the dream.”
Daniel laughed. “Sounds thrilling. I’m at the pizza place with Lindy and Emma. They’re both in the bathroom. Just wanted to hear your voice.”
Something warm spread through Kassie’s chest. This had become their routine. When Daniel had Lindy for the weekend, he’d call. Sometimes just for a few minutes. Sometimes longer if Lindy was occupied. Little check-ins that said *I’m thinking about you even when I’m with my daughter.*
It was different from before. Before, those weekends had felt like radio silence. Like he disappeared into his other life and she ceas
