The next morning, Kassie woke up with a knot in her stomach that had nothing to do with anything she’d eaten the night before. Emma was still sleeping, her soft breathing audible through the baby monitor, and the house was quiet in the way that should have been peaceful but instead felt ominous.
She lay in bed staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment of her date with Marcus. The way he’d smiled when she’d mentioned Emma and her older children. The ease with which he’d talked about his own kids. The casual way he’d mentioned coordinating with his ex-wife for birthday photos.
*His ex-wife.*
The phrase had seemed innocent enough during their conversation, even admirable. A divorced father who maintained a good relationship with his children’s mother, who could work together for the s
