My son nodded anyway and hurried away, still clutching his list.

My daughter remained behind.

She studied me the way she watched storm clouds gathering over the ocean.

“You know he might bring her. If he comes.”

“I know.”

The truth was, I wasn’t ready.

I hadn’t been ready since the afternoon I stood in our bedroom holding our six-month-old baby while Jordan calmly destroyed our marriage.

“I’m with Percy now. We’ve been together for over a year. I don’t want to waste any more time on a woman who’s no longer attractive to me.”

I still remembered the baby shifting against my shoulder.

I remembered locking my knees so I wouldn’t collapse.

I forced myself back to the present.

“I’m okay, honey. Really. Your brother deserves a perfect day, and I’m going to give it to him.”

“Promise?”

She kissed my cheek before leaving.

I stood alone again, mentally running through decorations, food, shopping, and everything else I needed to organize while pretending my heart wasn’t breaking.

First, I had to invite Jordan.