Usually she would jump at the chance for in-person time with Monica, but because she’d worked yesterday, Cait hadn’t done the big shopping trip and she’d planned on doing that today.
“Everything okay, honey?”
Cait looked at her mom. “Yeah. Monica’s going through this afternoon and wants to meet for coffee.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“We have to go shopping.”
Her mom smiled and shrugged. “I can do that. You go and see Monica.”
Cait’s first instinct was to ask if she was sure or to postpone coffee, but she squashed it. There was no uncertainty in her mom’s expression and, once again, this is what she’d been hoping for. “Thanks, Mom.”
She responded with the address of a coffee shop that would be easy for Monica to get to and then sat down to breakfast. While they ate, Carter talked more about how much fun he’d had playing basketball with the guys. He’d told her about it last night, as had Gavin on the telephone, but Cait didn’t mind hearing it again because it was so good to have her happy, chatty brother back for a little while.
Since she’d missed out on the cooking part of breakfast, Cait washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. She took her time, keeping an eye on her mother as she prepared for her shopping trip. After double-checking the fridge and pantry, comparing the contents to the big list, she kissed Cait’s cheek.
“You have fun with Monica. Don’t rush home.”
Carter even looked up from his phone long enough to give his mom a goodbye smile, and Cait felt something loosen in her chest. They were going to be okay. It had been a long road and they weren’t there yet, but there was light at the end of the tunnel.
Because it sounded like Monica wouldn’t have much time, Cait made sure she was at the coffee shop ten minutes early. After ordering two coffees, she was reaching for her phone when it chimed, and this time it was Gavin.
She really needed to pick a text tone just for him, she thought, so her heart wouldn’t do that hopeful leap every time. She’d know.
You working tomorrow?
She wasn’t working tomorrow. And her mother would be at work and her brother at school. Her entire day was her own, and damn the chores and errands she’d planned to do.
Nope. You going to fill me full of more junk food?
Whatever you want to do. I’m all yours.
Cait read the words a few times, her heart hammering in her chest. Her cheeks were warm and she felt ridiculous, but she couldn’t help wondering if she was reading too much into a casual turn of phrase.
Was he all hers?
Text me when you get up and I’ll come over.She smiled to herself.I’m sure we can figure out something to do.
Yeah, we can. What are you doing now?
As much as she loved seeing her friend, she wished she could saynothingand maybe they’d get together now.Meeting a friend for coffee, but it won’t take long.
I promised a friend of my dad I’d help fix his deck this afternoon and his wife will want to feed me dinner. Dad will be there, so they’ll talk forever.
So later was out.I’ll see you tomorrow, then.
Definitely. Have fun with your friend.
Monica rushed in, so Cait fired off a quick emoji and tucked her phone back in her pocket. She was only a few minutes late, but Monica looked flustered as she sat down and took a sip of the blueberry coffee Cait had ordered for her, even though she personally couldn’t stand the smell of it.
“I have thirty minutesmax,”Monica said. “Give me the highlights.”
“We could have rescheduled.”
“No way. I feel like I’m always rescheduling you and you are not only getting laid, but you’redatingsomebody. As in multiple dates? I want to hear more details and text messages aren’t cutting it. So spill all of it, but quickly, so I have time to comment.”
Cait laughed and considered where to begin. Then she started with the day she—with Gavin’s help, of course—delivered the baby in the hallway and went straight through to the present. Luckily, she talked fast and there was still plenty of time for comments from Monica. Or maybe not luckily, depending on her opinion.
