“Sure do.”
Jay and I are wrapping up our second game when I hear the front door open and close. Josie is earlier than usual, and I’m still here. I guess all my plans of giving her space just flew out the window. Hushed whispers can be heard from the living room, and I go still, trying to catch what they’re saying. Moments later, Josie appears holding the vase of flowers. She’s wearing a small smile, one brow cocked and she doesn’t look like someone who feels crowded. The anxiety I’ve been carrying for days loosens a fraction, and I return the smile, lifting a shoulder in a shrug.
“Wanna stay for dinner? I’m ordering pizza. Abby’s favorite meal. I also baked a cake last night for her. I had a feeling we’d be celebrating.”
This woman never ceases to amaze me. She teaches all day, visits her grandmother, takes Jay to practice, fulfills Etsy orders, and still finds the time to bake a cake. When on earth does she sleep?
“You sure?” I ask.
Josie nods. “You played a pretty big role in that A.”
Jay heaves a great sigh when my character dies, and I chuckle.
“Since you’re staying, let’s play another. And keep your guy alive this time,” Jay demands.
“I’ll try, man,” I say, and I catch Josie biting back a laugh.
It’s not long before a knock sounds at Josie’s door. I stand to answer it, pay the delivery guy before she has a chance to protest, and head to the kitchen with two steaming hot boxes. Iplace them next to two gingerbread house kits and an almost empty orange slice jar. I turn right as Josie enters the kitchen.
Jay and Abby enter next and everyone grabs slices of pizza. We take our seats at the table, and I quietly observe Josie and her kids as they talk about the comings and goings of Singing River, school, and life in general.
“Mom, can we build those tonight?” Abby asks, tilting her head toward the Gingerbread kits.
Josie nods. “If you want to, sure.” And after a second, she adds, “How ’bout we have a competition. One hour to build, maybe teams?”
“Dibs on Tyler!” Jay and Abby shout simultaneously, before the words are barely out of Josie’s mouth.
My eyes connect with Josie’s across the table. Josie tries to look affronted that they both chose me, but I can tell behind her expression she’s pleased. A silent conversation takes place between the two of us that looks a lot like this:
Raised eyebrows from Josie:Do you want to stay?
A scowl from me:What do you think?
Looks like I’m staying for a gingerbread house competition.
“Jay, you’ve had plenty of Tyler’s time today. Let Abby team up with him.”
Jay cuts his eyes at Abby, but begrudgingly agrees, catching a string of pizza cheese in his mouth.
Abby leans my way and, behind her hand, she whispers, “Are you good at these? Mom always wins.”
The kitchen is small, and Josie easily overhears. “Abby, how do you know Tyler isn’t some award-winning gingerbread house builder? For all you know, he’s won competitions worldwide.” Josie smiles at me across the table.
“Have you?” Abby asks skeptically.
I chew the inside of my cheek. “I have not,” I admit. “In fact, I haven’t built one of these since I was probably your age. But also what your mom doesn’t know is that I like a challenge. We’ll build the best house the Thomas family has ever seen.”
Abby grins across the table at me.
We finish up our pizza, and Abby and I grab our kit while Josie and Jay grab the other. Josie leaves and comes back a minute later, lugging a folding card table. I stand and take it from her, setting it up next to the kitchen table.
Josie makes a big production of turning her house building supplies away from Abby and me, setting the box on its side to obstruct my and Abby’s view.
Abby looks at me and rolls her eyes like,can you believe those two?Rolling in my lips, I mimic the motion with an exaggerated eye roll of my own.
Taking my seat next to Abby, we work quietly while Josie peppers the kids with questions about their day.
“Amelia and I made plans to hang out over break,” Abby tells her. “Kayley and Samantha don’t even mess with me anymore since Amelia moved to town.”
