Maybe I’m being too negative, and I’m projecting one bad experience on them all. Besides, from every interaction I’ve ever had with Lauren, she seems far too self-assured to be taken advantage of like that. Maybe I’m not getting myself mixed up in anythingthatconvoluted at all by spending more time with her—it’s not like I’m trying to date them both or anything.
But, I’m getting way ahead of myself, since I am in no way looking for anything serious or long term. All I’m looking for is to perhaps dip my toes back into the dating pool. I’m sure once she sees what a headcase I am—still grieving the loss of my partner and feeling the weight of the guilt regarding everything after—not much will come of this anyway. Best to just just take this one step at a time, right?
After a few minutes, she returns with a huge grin on her face. “I’m all yours!”
“What would you like to do?” I ask her, trying to get a feel for her interests.
Momentarily, she looks a little nervous, and I can’t help but wonder why that is. Pair that with the fact that she said she hasn’t dated as an adult and appears to be in a lavender marriage, and I amthoroughlyconfused. I’m trying to put the puzzle pieces together, when she finally speaks up. “Want to go walk the breakwater?”
“Absolutely. But, would you mind terribly if we stopped by my place real quick so I can change into something a little less ridiculous? I don’t live far from there; it’s on the way.”
She anxiously chews at the corner of her lip. “If it’s all the same with you, I can just meet you there.”
I nod. It’s a fair enough request. We barely know each other, so it’s reasonable that she’d be nervous about hopping into a car with someone who is essentially a stranger. “Whatever you’re comfortablewith. I won’t be long. Like I said, I can see the breakwater from my front yard.”
She smiles, her shoulders visibly losing the tension that was coiled up in them. “Okay. Meet you at the breakwater in saaay… an hour?”
“I don’t anticipate it even taking me that long, but let’s just go with that to play it safe. Besides, maybe by the time we’ve done our walk, it’ll be late enough for you to let me buy you dinner as well.”
She thinks on it for a moment. “I could be persuaded… perhaps.”
“I’ll see you in an hour, ready to plead my case, your honor,” I sign wearing a Cheshire Cat smirk. Then, I wink… and her freckle-dappled cheeks flush pink.
Cutest friggin’ human ever.
Chapter Four
Ispare a quick glance at the passenger seat. Since I had no time to swap out for my car, I just bent the rules a little and picked my son up from his summer day-camp in this brown box of shame on wheels and carried on making deliveries. “Whaddaya think, Brode? Wanna hand this one off? We need this fella’s autograph to be able to deliver this package.”
It’s the last delivery of the day, and though I’m uncomfortably familiar with the address, the name on the package leaves me breathing a sigh of relief. It’s been a decade; I’m sure the place has changed hands since then. Coastal cottages like this one always have a pretty high turn over rate around here, so I’m sure there’s no reason for my stomach to be all tied up in knots.
Brody shakes his head, holding up a fistful of fries. “Nah. I’m gonna finish supper.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “When Mum asks what I fed you, what are you going to tell her?”
He giggles. “That you made us something healthy and nutritious at home.”
“That’s my boy,” I drawl, grinning.
“Did Mum have to work late tonight?”
“No. She's going out with a friend.” It’s really a date, I guess, but I'm sure that's not something she wants me sharing with Brody.
As for me? I probablyshouldbe feeling a little jealous, right? I'm not, though. I'm happy for her, actually. All I feel is complete compersion about it, since—ya know—it's usually me that's always off gallivanting on the side. I was thrilled when I got the call from her earlier, saying she was going out on a date, because that must mean she's feeling comfortable with putting herself out there. I made her promise to text me every once in a while, however, just to check-in so I have peace of mind that she is safe.
“Ooh! Is it Sarah?” he asks, his eyes lighting up. “Also, can Tati and Terra come to my birthday party? I forgot to ask Mum if we could add them…”
I chuckle, quite certain that my son has the biggest heart around if he wants to make sure Sarah’s six-year-olds are included. I love how deeply he cherishes his friendships . “I’m pretty sure, by now, your mom has already included them on your guestlist. The twins are already, by default, invited to tag along and tear up the trampoline park with you, Harrison, and your other wild band of heathens. But as for tonight? No, Mum’s not going out with Sarah.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Brody pause, fry midway into his gaping mouth. “Mum hasanotherfriend?”
I roll my lips between my teeth, trying to parse how to appropriately answer this. On the one hand, I don’t want to sound like a jerk, because Lo really doesn’t ever go out and socialize, but I also don’t want to make it seem like she’s a true hermit crab either. “You know, I thinkit justfeelslike Mum doesn’t have many friends because she’s far too busy with either work, going to the gym, or spending time with us. I think it’s good that she’s changing it up a bit.”
There. That’s honest.
“Me too,” he hums, smacking on another handful of fries. “Do you think you’ll make some friends also?”
I huff out a laugh. “Maybe. It’s not high on my priority list right now though. You and Mum are. Since I’m going to be working odd hours with this job, it’ll be difficult to have a social life.”
