Katty nodded. “My mommy’s going to be twenty-five.”
I winced internally. I could barely remember being twenty-five, and here I was, thinking about a woman who wasn’t even there yet.
“She hasn’t done anything special for her birthday in years,” Barb remarked, eyeing me.
“Right?” Kylie twirled her spaghetti on her fork. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she forgot her birthday was even coming up.”
“I’m going to make her a card,” Katty said.
“That’s a great idea, sweetheart,” I replied. “Maybe I’ll make one too.”
Barb chuffed. “I’m sure you could do more than that. If you wanted to.”
I nodded. “You’re right. I’ll have to think about it. Mazz deserves the world.”
“And a break,” Kylie added. “Our girl could use a break, big time.”
My head was spinning in every direction. First Carrot, now Mazz’s birthday. What if she wanted to go out with Carrot for her birthday?
The birthday girl got what she wanted, didn’t she? Of course, maybe she didn’t know what she wanted since she hadn’t been presented with all the options.
Barb gave me a sharp look. “Don’t you like your noodles?”
“Oh.” The meatballs were the best I’d ever had. The noodles were barely edible mush. “Yeah, they’re great, really, so good.”
I scooped a pile onto my fork and stuffed it into my mouth. Aunt Barb watched me chew and chew and chew until I had no choice but to swallow or spray them all over the table.
I swallowed and regretted it deeply.
But Barb almost smiled.
I was winning.
Chapter Twenty-four
Mazzy
IyawnedasGarrettpulled up to the curb outside Aunt Barb’s house.
Putting his vehicle in park, he turned to me. “Tired?”
“Yes. My brain is finished thinking for the night.” I leaned down and grabbed my backpack from between my feet. “Thanks again for driving.”
“It’s my pleasure, Mazzy. I know you hate driving.”
“I don’t know why youlikedriving.” I gestured here and there. “All those other cars. The lanes. Signs I have to read while not crashing into anyone. No one wants me out on the road more than necessary.”
He saluted me with two fingers. “I am happy to be of service to the community.”
Before I could open my door, he reached across the cab and put his hand on mine. I turned back, checking if I’d forgotten anything.
“Can I give you one more thing to think about?”
I crinkled my nose. “I don’t know. I think I’m at capacity.”
“Well, hopefully this isn’t too hard.” He gave my hand a squeeze. “What day are you free to meet up for lunch this week?”
“This week?” I really was tired. We’d already talked about meeting for lunch, but I couldn’t mentally pull up my schedule. “Um, I don’t—”
