“It’s Julia.”
“I know who this is.”
Oh dear, this wasn’t starting out well.
“How are you?” she asked, hoping to ease into the conversation with small talk. Her hand tightened around her phone, trying to remain calm, despite his lack of warmth or welcome. She didn’t make a habit of contacting him out of the blue. It’d been months, probably more than a year, since they’d last spoken.
“Did you call to inquire about my health?”
“No. I…
“I’m good, Julia. More than good. I’m happy.”
She swallowed hard, not wanting to read any more meaning into his words than what he’d said. From the tone of his voice, he seemed to suggest that the only way he’d found such unbound well-being was by separating his life from hers. He seemed to be looking for a way to hurt her. She could either take offense or ignore it.
“Glad to hear it. I feel the same,” she said, after an awkward moment, choosing to take the high road by assuming his comment had not been a dig.
“Wonderful. Now that it’s settled how happy we both are, is there a reason for this call?”
Julia strongly suspected Laura was sitting next to him or was within hearing distance.
“I have news I thought you’d want to know,” she said.
“Is it important?”
She closed her eyes, wishing it could be different between them. “Would I call otherwise?” she asked, keeping her voice even and controlled, unwilling to let him intimidate her. It hurt that their relationship remained strained.
It didn’t need to be like this. She had released him without malice, and she hoped that after all the good years they’d shared together, they could part without hard feelings.
Her throat tightened, and she waited a moment, the pause awkward. “Does it need to be like this?” she asked, softening her tone.
“How do you mean?”
She wasn’t fooled, he knew. “I only wish you well, Eddie. It used to be we were friends as well as lovers. We have children together. It shouldn’t be awkward between us, because we have both moved on. I don’t harbor bad feelings toward you, or Laura.”
His sigh was heavy. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Julia. I saw your name and my mind went back to places it shouldn’t have. Now tell me what prompted the call.”
“It’s Hillary.”
“Everything okay with her?” His concern was immediate.
“It’s great. She was by on Friday to let me know she and Blake are engaged.”
Her announcement was met with silence. “And you’re the one telling me? Why is that?”
“Trust me, Eddie, I urged her to reach out herself.”
“Did you?” His words were full of skepticism. How quickly he reverted to being suspicious and annoyed.
“Yes,” she returned emphatically. “I have repeatedly encouraged both girls to put aside their resentment and reconcile with you. You’re their father, and while they might never admit it openly, they miss you.”
He huffed as if he found that hard to believe. “The ball is in their court. Heaven knows I’ve tried to have a relationship with them. The problem is they’re both too stubborn to listen to reason. They won’t have anything to do with Laura. They won’t meet her, won’t speak to her. It’s as if my wife doesn’t exist.”
Silently, Julia wondered how much of an effort Laura had made to connect with their daughters. She quickly put an end to that line of unproductive thought. Once Laura’s sons and her daughters had gotten into a nasty verbal exchange, Laura had basically ignored Eddie’s family.
“I know you’ve tried, and I’m genuinely sorry, Eddie.”
He sighed again with frustration and regret. “Guess I shouldn’t complain, I can be just as strong-willed.”
Julia grinned in full agreement. She didn’t know how long it had been since his last attempt to connect with his daughters. Neither had mentioned their father in several months, which told her he hadn’t made any effort for quite some time.
“When’s the wedding?” Eddie asked.
This was the point where their conversation was sure to get sticky. “She’s hoping sometime in November, before the holidays. As soon as she sets the date, I’ll let you know.”
“I wish Hillary would tell me herself.”
Julia felt the same.
“Will she let me help with the costs? I’d like to do that. That might build a bridge between us.”