attached to her, which I had to be careful about. I couldn’t pin my hopes for children on this child who wasn’t mine—would never be mine. Not really. This was all temporary, and I had to remember that.
Not wanting to walk downstairs in my robe, I grabbed some clothes and hurried to the bathroom across the hall to get a shower. I quickly got ready for the day. It was Saturday. An entire day with nothing to do. I was filled with an awkward dread.
Would we be doing something together? As a family? I supposed it was time to start this new act. I just didn’t quite know how to play my part yet. I got dressed and put my hair up in a bun then made my way downstairs.
I hadn’t really paid much attention to the interior of the house when we came home last night. It had been a rush of getting Katie a bath and ready for bed. Kyle showed me my room and told me to make myself at home. But I didn’t really know what that meant. So, I unpacked my clothes and put them away. Then I waited. And when an hour passed and I hadn’t seen or heard Kyle, I went looking for him and Katie, only to find them both asleep; Katie curled up in her bed and Kyle in the chair beside her. I turned off the light and quietly closed the door, returning to my room, where I stayed awake wondering about this new life of mine for half the night.
At the bottom of the stairs, the house opened up into a large open space. The kitchen and breakfast nook were at the back where there was a large glass door that led out onto what looked like a stone patio. I could see Katie sitting in her highchair, shoving food into her mouth. Kyle was at the stove flipping eggs.
I stood there awkwardly watching them, not sure if I should be intruding. This had the feeling of a well-worn routine, and I didn’t know how to integrate myself into it. Or if I even should.
We have to sell this. Might as well start now.
“Good morning,” I called out, patting Katie on the head as I came into the kitchen. She looked up at me and babbled away, holding out a piece of toast.
“She wants you to have some,” Kyle interpreted for me. When I hesitated, he laughed. “You just have to pretend to take a bite then hand it back to her. But I encourage her sharing, so I usually play along.”
“Oh. Okay then.” I took the toast and made a big show of pretending to take a bite. “Mmmm. It’s the best toast ever!” Katie clapped her hands, clearly enjoying my efforts. I handed the toast back to her. “Your turn, Katie Boo.” She took the toast from me and shoved it in her mouth, enthusiastically imitating the noise I had made.
“Is it okay if I make some coffee?” I asked, standing there, not sure what to do.
“I’ve already brewed a pot, so help yourself.” Kyle pointed to the coffee maker on the corner of the counter. “Mugs are in the cabinet there.”
I was usually a whiz at small talk. Put me in a room of strangers, and I’ll leave with five friends. But now, in this situation, I didn’t know what the hell to say. I was at a loss. I was pouring coffee in this house I was sharing with my new fake husband and felt as if I were drowning.
“How do you take your eggs?” Kyle asked.
“Um, well, I don’t really eat eggs,” I told him.
Kyle frowned. “Oh, okay then. You’re not vegetarian, though; you ate meat when we went out.”
“No, it’s more of a texture thing for me. Not a fan of the slime factor.” I took a long drink of coffee. I sat at the table next to Katie, who promptly handed me her toast again. I repeated what I had done earlier, much to her delight.
“How about toast then? Or yogurt? Granola?” Kyle opened the refrigerator, looking inside.
“Honestly, don’t worry about me. I don’t usually eat until later. I’m not hungry first thing in the morning.”
“First thing? It’s after nine.” Kyle laughed.
“Nine?” I groaned. “Way too early for me on a weekend.”
“You like to sleep in, I take it?” He put the eggs he had been cooking on his plate and sat down across from me on the other side of Katie.