AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m glad that was never an option.”
Carly smiled. A real smile and one that made Stone’s chest tighten.
“The feeling is mutual.”
Her smile made Stone long for a lot of things, things he might not ever have with Carly. His gut instinct told him to be patient and she would come around.
Exactly what all he wanted, he wasn’t sure. He didn’t see himself going down the marriage path again. But he would like a relationship with Carly for however long their attraction lasted. Besides, when Carly did start dating, she needed to experience life, freedom, rather than settle into a new commitment such as marriage or motherhood.
She’d clearly missed out on so much life had to offer.
During their friendship, he’d like to show her, give her, some of those missed-out-on things.
“So now that you know all about me, tell me about you,” she turned the tables.
Turnabout was fair play. Not that Stone had much to hide, but, as he’d told her, every person came with baggage.
His was of the “ex-wife who’d walked out on their marriage” variety.
But he wasn’t going there. Not tonight.
“Middle child of a middle-class family who live in the middle of nowhere.”
“That’s a lot of middles.”
He nodded. “My dad’s a dentist.” He smiled, flashing perfectly straight white teeth. “My mom worked at the post office for twenty years, then decided she wanted to be a stay-home mom to my baby sister, who was ten at the time and not interested in having Mom around all the time.”
“Ten? How old is your sister now?”
“Twenty. My oldest sister is thirty-five.”
Carly’s eyes widened. “Fifteen years? That’s a big age gap. And, you’re in the middle?”
He nodded. “I’ve not mentally delved into how Jenny came into existence. What kid wants to think about his parents’ sex life? But I got the impression she was a surprise. Have you ever thought about tracking down your birth father?”
Carly shook her head. “Not once.” At his look, she shrugged. “That may sound weird, but my mother was a very good mother. My grandparents, the best. I was a happy, content child. I never felt the need for anything more than what I had, because I had all the things that count. Plus, my biological father had his shot to be involved in my life and sent a strong message when my mother told him about me.”
Stone flinched on the inside. Yeah, they all had baggage. Truer words had never been spoken.
“What?” she asked, obviously seeing more on his face than he’d meant her to see.
“You’re an amazing person,” he said, honestly.
Brow arched, she asked, “Because I had a good childhood?”
“That you are content with what you had,” he clarified. “What you have. A lot of people would be bemoaning all they didn’t have, that they were saddled with an ailing parent at such a young age. You seem to embrace all life throws at you.”
“Ha. Embrace is not the right verb. I have my moments of boohooing and major pity-parties, especially when Mom is having a bad day. Don’t think I don’t or that there aren’t times that I question why.”
“You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t.” Stone laced their fingers. “I’m glad you have me to help you now.”
He would help her. He might not have been able to help Stephanie, but he could help lighten Carly’s load, to add brightness to her life.
* * *
Carly winced. She didn’t want to lean on anyone, didn’t want to depend on someone to be there and them not be, and it to topple her world.
She was doing just fine on her own. Maybe that was partially why she’d kept the world shut out.
To depend on someone meant risking being let down, meant risking a weak link in the wall. She couldn’t do that. Not when it came to her mother.
She had to make sure everything that could be done was being done. That she was doing her best to take care of her mother.
Carly didn’t elaborate on any of that. She just ignored Stone’s comment and changed the subject. “I would like to really bring Joyce dessert, if that’s okay?”
“We can order one of every dessert on the menu if that’s what you’d like to do.”
Carly smiled as she imagined Joyce’s delight at the silly gesture. “Really?”
He picked up the dessert menu. “There’s four options, so we should bring her one of each. That way we’re sure to get something she’ll like. After all, it’s thanks to her that I didn’t have to eat alone.”
Carly pinched every penny. Part of her cringed at the idea of wasted money, but the thought of Joyce’s smile, of being a part of something that would bring happiness to her face, tempted way more than logic weighed in.
