“You will. We will. Maybe Doc can come out to some practices, or Rhett and Doc can talk. There’s gotta be a way to get everyone on the same page about what you need to be successful.”
Part of me wants to caution Luca against putting unrealistic ideas in Charlie’s head. Asking a prosthetist to speak with a Little League coach just so my son can be more successful at a recreational sport feels a little over-the-top. But then I see the hope shining on Charlie’s face. And I keep quiet, not wanting to make that go away.
The rest of our time at the festival feels like a dream. A happy dream where I have a partner in this life, someone to help with Charlie, to love him and me the way we both deserve.
Later, back at our house over pizza for me and Charlie, and a salad for Luca that we teased him about endlessly, we played a cutthroat game of Monopoly. Luca and Charlie laughed together as they both took me for all my money.
Things can’t possibly get any better than this. Whenwe’re cleaning up after Luca sweeps the board, taking me and Charlie for every penny, I feel arms snake around my waist as I put the leftovers in the fridge.
“Thank you for a perfect day.” Lips press against my neck, and I smile, my eyes drifting shut.
“You’re only saying that because you won Monopoly,” I tease, turning in Luca’s arms and wrapping mine around his neck.
He starts to gently sway back and forth, as if we’re dancing to silent music. “No. I’m saying it because I haven’t felt like this before. Like every moment keeps getting better.”
I press my lips to his in response.
“Ew. Gross, guys, not in the kitchen,” Charlie gripes, moving to the freezer as we break apart, grinning like idiots at each other. “You like ice cream, Luca? Or is that another thing you don’t eat ’cuz you’re a weirdo health nut.”
“Charlie,” I chide, stepping out of Luca’s arms. “Don’t be rude.”
But Luca just laughs. “Sorry to disappoint, but no, I don’t eat ice cream. I take my weirdo health nut status seriously.”
“Not even if it was Nutella flavoured?” I can’t help but tease.
Luca’s mouth falls open. But there’s a twinkle in his eyes. “Wait. There’s Nutella ice cream?”
I lift my hand and pat his cheek. “Oh yes. There’s Nutella ice cream. And Nutella cookies, Nutella frosting…”
Luca sweeps me into his arms with a groan. “Stop. Just stop. This is torture.”
“And that’s my cue to get outta here. Night Mom, night Luca.”
Luca turns us so I can grin at my son. “Goodnight kid. Love you.”
Charlie has already left the kitchen when Luca’s head dips down and kisses the side of my neck. “And I love you, Isla Forrester.”
38
ISLA
“Crossyour fingers and toes for me,” I say to Juniper as we walk up to the restaurant where the Cedar Creek Business Owners Association is holding their semi-annual luncheon.
Knowing how desperate I’m starting to feel about my job situation, Juni suggested I join her as her guest today, and I eagerly accepted. I need to network, to get my face and name out there, and make it clear I’m looking for a permanent position in Cedar Creek.
“It’ll work out. Gotta have faith. You and Charlie are staying in Cedar Creek.”
I wish I could muster up that much confidence, but the truth is, I’m worried. Luca’s brought up the idea of me staying at the Thunder a couple more times. But as much as I want to do that, not only because of the job security, but because I’m loving my work there, I just can’t do it.
I can’t work for the man I’m in love with. Not long-term. Which means I’ve got to find anotherjob, and fast. It’s already March, and the early April end date for my contract is coming up in a matter of a few short weeks.
But an hour of small talk later, and my hopes are sinking faster than the Titanic.
Sure, I’ve met plenty of local business owners, even handed out some of my cards. But no one seems to be looking for a marketer. Well, no one except for a doggie daycare that wants to branch out and do grooming and boarding and wanted to discuss me helping them with their social media campaign.
It’s another short-term contract with lower pay. I’d love to help them out, but it’s hardly a solution to my problem.
As if my mood couldn’t get any worse, right then, I see Miranda Mulaney standing near a group of older men, her red lips parted in a wide, fake-looking smile.
