Chapter 9

When the doorbell rang again, he unlocked the door and pulled it open, forcing a smile at Meredith Edwards, his ex-wife. Good thing she never changed her name,he thought as she breezed by him and entered the house. She smelled like coconuts, her arms and face slightly red from the sun, her blonde hair pulled back in a damp ponytail.

“Mommy’s here,” Evan announced as Kasey launched herself off the couch and wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist. “Hey, Mere.”

“Hey yourself,” Meredith replied. She saw Charlie and pressed her lips together until they formed twin white lines in the tanned skin of her face.

“Hey Meredith,” Charlie said, rising to his feet. He held out a hand to her which she didn’t take. Before he could drop it awkwardly, Kasey took it in her own tiny hand and shook it. He winked at her. “You’re looking great.”