Everett slides me a note, and my heart starts to race. I am barely holding it together here. Between his flirting and his dimples and Brooke… God, when I saw her number on his cup, I about lost my shit. It wasn’t the fact that she gave him her number. No, it was the fact it was on his cup. Only I can leave him notes on his cup. That’s our thing. She doesn’t get that.
Even though I am green with jealousy and I know I shouldn’t be, I’m not mad at her. Everett is a catch. Always has been. He is the all-American, blond-haired, muscular, fucking PHD holding, kid-loving dream. But he isn’t mine. Not anymore.
I watch him as he leans in and whispers something into Rune’s ear, and I narrow my eyes at him. I decided not to open his note right now. I need to focus on Rune and how he is taking all this in.
“Hey, Mom. What's that on the ceiling?”
I follow Rune’s gaze up, but I don’t see anything. “Wha—”
I look down, and an origami rose is in front of me. I look to Rune first, who is smiling bigger than I have ever seen. Then to Everett, who is just looking away, tapping his fingers against his cup.
“Hmm. Must have been a bird or something?” Rune tries to cover.
“A bird? Really, Rune? You couldn’t have come up with something more believable?” Everett gives Rune a mock glare.
“Try again.”
Rune eagerly nods. “Hey, Mom. What’s that on the wall behind you?”
I know there is nothing back there, but I play along, turning in my chair to look. When I turn back…another origami rose.
“Dude, you have to use a different tactic, or else she is going to know that it's a ruse. And space it out so she doesn’t get suspicious.”
My adorable little boy nods eagerly again. “Right, okay.”
A moment in silence. Ev just staring at all the people, not making eye contact with me, tapping his fingers against his cup. What is going on?
Then Rune drops his napkin under the table. “Oh shoot. Could you get that for me, Mom? I think you’re closer.”
I bend under the table and pick up his napkin. When I come back up…two more roses.
Making four in total now.
I can’t fight the giggle that leaves my lips. “What is going on? I do not trust you two together, already causing mischief.”
They each shrug their right shoulder, Jesus, they are so alike it's scary.
My phone rings as I was counting all their similarities. I reach into my bag, but as soon as I pull it out it stops. The missed call wasfrom…Everett. I look back at him, and another rose has been left in front of me. That sneaky little butthead!
“Okay. My eyes are staying glued to both of you!”
Rune just shrugs. “You can’t watch us both at the same time. Eyes don’t work like that, Mom.”
“Watch me.” I scrunch my nose at him in a teasing way, and he giggles. Then he pokes his tongue out at me, and I reach across the table to try to grab it, like I do every time he does that.
When I return fully into my seat again. Another rose. Making it six in total now. I look at Everett again. He is saying nothing. Just sipping his coffee like nothing is happening.
“Mom, can I use the bathroom?”
“Yeah, sweetie. You know where it is.”
“No, not that one. Can I use the one in your office? I have to…go number two.” He whispers this part, shy about having to go poop.
“Oh, yeah, okay. Let me take you and unlock it.”
I stand and usher Rune in front of me then look to Everett. He is leaning back in his chair, legs spread wide, so casual in his dark blue jeans and brown sweater. Some things never change.
“I’ll be right back.”
