“Why’s that?”
“I made a mistake and should’ve done something differently.”
“You always tell me that if I own up to the mistake and try to fix it, then it’s okay. But lying or pretending like it didn’t happen will make it worse.”
I breathe out a laugh. Who knew I’d be getting solid relationship advice from my six-year-old? “You’re right. I’ll apologize and try to do better next time.”
By the time we pull into Farrah’s driveway, I’m feeling prepared to address my screwup. I leave the truck running as I grab the flowers and head up to knock on the front door.
While I wait, I rehearse what I’m going to say to her.
Every line goes straight out of my head when she opens the door. “Fuck me,” I breathe. She’s got on a sleeveless floralsundress that’s tight around her breasts and waist. It flares out around her hips, and I can imagine the skirt twirling up when she spins. Her dark hair has been braided into a crown around her head, and I try to make a mental note not to mess it up with my hands.
That is, if she lets me touch her after making an ass out of myself.
“You look beautiful, Princess.”
Her cheeks flush, and she looks down at her feet.
“I think I messed up this week. I thought you might want distance from me after what happened the other night, but I should have asked you what you wanted.”
Farrah’s gaze flies up to mine, her jaw dropping as she stares at me.
“I brought you these as an apology. I cut them from the side of the road, so they’re a little messy.” Holding out the flowers, I cringe at how sad they look.
I expect Farrah to make me work a little harder for her forgiveness, but she takes the flowers from me and then crooks her finger for me to come closer.
“I don’t want distance from you, Knox. It’s just the opposite, actually, which freaks me out a bit, but I’m trying to lean in to the feeling instead of running away from it. Thank you for your apology.” She lifts onto her toes and kisses me. I wrap my arm around her waist to pull her closer when she tries to move away. I use this kiss to apologize a second time, trying to convey how I feel about her.
When I lift my head, I revel in how dazed she looks.
She shakes it off, a smile growing across her face. “Let me go put these in water. I’ll be right back.”
I close the door to keep the cooler air inside and lean against one of her front porch columns to wait. It only takes her a few minutes to finish up, and then I’m leading her to the truck. My big paw of a hand rests at the small of her back,reminding me of how my fingers almost touch when I grip her hips.
Think of something else, Knox Waters.I’m not about to sport a boner in front of my son.
I help Farrah into the truck and then dart around the front to get in on my side. I catch the end of Finn’s question.
“—he apologized?”
Farrah grins at me as I roll my eyes. “He apologized.”
“Good. I told him if he owned up to his mistake, then you would forgive him.”
With her gaze still on me, she responds, “I forgive him.”
The rest of my worry dissipates with her words. I don’t really deserve her forgiveness this easily, but I’ll take it.
By the time we’re rolling down Muriel and Stan’s driveway, Finn has us both dying of laughter. He’s been telling corny jokes almost the whole drive. Each one has gotten sillier than the last, which has only made us laugh harder. At this point, he’s just making shit up and then laughing at himself.
Holt and Gia are standing on the porch, talking with Mrs. Basil. I’m glad we’re not going to be the last people to get to the bar.
Farrah helps Finn out of his seat, and he takes off running. “Mimi! Can we have a dance party tonight?”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea, Finny. Head on inside and ask the others if they want to do that too.”
He starts to head inside, but I clear my throat. He freezes, turning with a sheepish smile on his face. He runs back to me, and I lift him into my arms.
