My brother got behind me. “Don’t worry, CC. I’ve taken all my swimming lessons, so I know what to do.”
He squeezed my midriff so hard I thought he might break a rib.
“I’m fine,” I finally managed.
Jaden exhaled heavily.
Isla looked at me, wide-eyed. She had the same gorgeous hazel eyes as her dad. “Was it something I said?”
“No, honey. I’m honored you want that, but there’s a sequence that happens in life,” I began.
“Sequence?” Isla asked, looking genuinely confused.
“Sorry. I mean your daddy will date a nice lady and hopefully find you a mommy,” I said.
“But he doesn’t go on dates,” Isla said, like it was a complaint.
“Hmm, well…” I was stumped. “I love you like my little sister.”
Her eyes brightened. “Thanks, CC. I love you too.”
She wrapped her arms around me, and I hugged her back. She melted my heart.
I didn’t exactly know why her mother was never in the picture. I knew Hunter had a fling with a French woman who got pregnant and didn’t want to be a mom, but I didn’t know more than that. What I did know was that I’d known Isla since she was three, and she really was like a sibling to me. We all sat at the kitchen table, and I set up the game. Jaden rolled the dice first.
“CC is too young to be your mommy,” Mila said to Isla. “But I can share her.”
“Thanks,” Isla said, grinning.
“Or she can date Hunter,” Jaden added. “But I don’t think Dad would like that idea.”
“Okay, everyone, that’s enough. I haven’t seen Hunter in years, and I don’t plan on dating anyone ever,” I said to the three of them.
That ended the talk of me being Isla’s mommy. We focused on the game. Everyone got into it, and before I knew it, it was midnight and my parents were home. Mila and Isla ran off to Mila’s room and pretended to sleep. Jaden said hi to my parents, then yawned and went to bed.
“How was your night?” Mom asked.
“Uneventful. We played Monopoly,” I said.
“Good call,” Dad said, kissing my forehead.
“You need to get back out there,” Mom said.
“I’m good,” I said, then yawned. “I’m going to sleep.”
“Thanks for watching the kids,” Dad called out.
“Anytime,” I said.
It was safer for my heart to stay here in my parents’condo.
“Don’t encourage her,” I heard Mom whisper.
“Love you guys. Good night,” I said.
“Love you,” they both called back at the same time.
The problem was that those two set the bar too high. Life wasn’t easy for them. They just knew how to make lemonade from the lemons they’d been dealt. Me, on the other hand…I preferred to play it safe.I was never dating again.
