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I’mthe first to get to Sofie’s that night and Theo takes Dakota out to see the horses, so it’s just the two of us.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call you back this morning. I tried you later, but it sounds like your day got busy,” Sofie says as we’re grabbing a drink.
We take our drinks to the table and get comfy before we get started on our mini assembly line of wedding basket goodness.
“Oh, it’s okay. I was just having a little meltdown. I’m better now.”
She looks at me with concern. “Are you sure? You still seem a little—”
“No, I’m fine. It’s just…” I flip my hand nonchalantly and laugh, but it sounds off. I lean in and whisper, even though it’s just us. “Dakota asked Wyatt to go to Donuts for Dads at her school since Cash said he wouldn’t come…and he went.”
She waits and then says, “Oh,” when I don’t say anything else. “And you’re upset because?”
“Because so many things!” I stand up and start pacing around her dining table. “But mainly…I’m afraid Kota’s going to get too attached to Wyatt.”
She nods. “Are you worried about that for her and Theo? Because I promise, he’s consistent and when he loves someone, he loves them forever.” She puts her hand on her heart, and I know she’s right. Theo has loved her from the time they were little.
“No, I’ve never even considered it about Theo. I know you’re right. But Wyatt...” I trail off.
“Wyatt is consistent too,” she says. “All of the Landmarks are. When they open up their hearts to someone, you’re in for keeps.” She grins. “I’m really glad you and Wyatt have worked out your differences. It seems like it’s going so much better. You guys seem…almost…close.” Her head tilts as she eyes me carefully. “Is…do you—”
I shake my head, not wanting to know what she’s about to say. “Theo is sort of stuck with us…with you being my best friend and all.” I laugh. “The rest of the Landmark family have been great and it’s like a bonus to have them love us too, but…Wyatt and I work together and…Dakota has really developed a fondness for him—she loves Theo too,” I rush to add, “but she and Wyatt have this, I don’t know, something I can’t fully explain yet. It’s really sweet.” I take a deep breath and plop down in my seat, feeling exhausted.
I hadn’t realized how much this was all weighing on me until I started trying to say it out loud.
“No one feelsstuckwith you, trust me,” Sofie says, reaching over to squeeze my hand.
I start sticking all the cute things in the basket, happy for the distraction.
“And Wyatt will do right by her,” she adds. “If he went to that this morning, it’s because he knows it means something to her and he’ll be careful of her feelings.”
When I don’t say anything, she puts her hand on mine again, and I stop and look at her.
“Is there more to this than what you’re saying? What has you so worried?”
So many things, I want to say.
I don’t want my daughter to make Wyatt a father figure when the guy is just being nice.
I don’t want to scare Wyatt away before we even get a solid friendship off the ground.
I don’t want us to get our hearts broken.
But instead, I say, “I’m sure I’m making a bigger deal out of it than it needs to be. It was nice of him to go, and it made Dakota really happy. Cash has disappointed her so many times, I should just be glad for her to have all the positive experiences she can with the new male figures in her life. She deserves it.”
Sofie nods, her eyes wistful as she smiles. “She does…and so do you.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
RETIRED TEATS
WYATT
It’s Saturday morning and I’m antsy.
This time last week I was about to go pick up Marlow and Dakota to spend the day with them, and this week I’m off since I worked an extra-long shift yesterday and have no plans.
