It took Sam longer to warm up to Casey than Sasha. She had Casey as a teacher and
thought, as Sasha put it, she was pretty cool.
Emily had been dating someone for a few years so the children knew she and William
wouldn't be getting back together.
Emily had been aware William had been seeing Casey for a few months. William hadn't
planned on telling her but she came over one night unannounced to pick up Sasha's
backpack which was left at his house.
She kept trying to get them to come on a double date but William declined each
invitation. He asked Casey once if she would have been up to it but Casey said they
would need to wait until the end of the school year. Emily found out about the art
gallery and mentioned she may bring the kids.
William hoped it didn't happen. Even though he had no romantic feelings for his
ex-wife, he didn't want the two to meet.
“William,” he turned to see Casey walking towards him.
She wore a black dress and had her hair pulled back. He imagined this is what they
would dress like if they hosted cocktail parties with friends.
“I'm so nervous,” she said, hugging him. “I didn't expect that.”
“Everything is going to be great,” William reassured her. “This place looks amazing
now that your artwork is up on the walls.”
For two weeks, Casey had gone back and forth on which pieces to display. Each
night, she reviewed the twenty she had chosen and often swapped one out. By
morning, she usually switched it back.
The painting of the scientist making pancakes nearly made the cut, but Casey
removed it the night before she brought her work in. He didn’t want anyone thinking
he was some kind of mad scientist.