“And we love lasagna,” Mom finishes.
We giggle like teenagers, and he goes back to say hi to Mom.
I get a front-row ticket to the Brady Wilkinson Cooking Show. He tells me about the different dishes he makes at the firehouse while he preps the meat and the noodles.
“You’re going to feed Mom and Dad for a week,” I say when he puts the enormous pan of lasagna in the oven.
“I only know the recipe for feeding the whole firehouse.” He shuts the oven. “Maybe Lara will make her famous garlic bread when she gets back, and we can have the leftovers.”
I feel myself breaking into a smile. “She’d love that.”
He sets his watch with the cooking time, and we summon the world’s naughtiest golden retrievers, Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, for an evening walk. We talk about my parents and their curling club, and I ask about his.
“They know what they like. They’re up early, hitting the golf course or the tennis courts. Cocktail hour starts at five, and they’re asleep by nine.” He picks up a stick and heaves it into the woods. Only a baseball player could send a stick that far. Delighted by the challenge, Def and Mötley take off.
“I told Mom and Dad about you and Lara. They hate that you’re dealing with the fires at the retreat.”
“Oh.” I find myself uncomfortable that he told his parents about me, which is strange considering how much time he's spent with mine. Hell, he’s making dinner for them tonight. But that’s circumstantial. My parents are part of my everyday life, even when I’m not living in their house. “Then they know we’re friends?”
“I told them we were seeing each other.” Def on one end of the stick and Mötley on the other drop it at Brady’s feet. He throws again. This time I don't even hear it land in the woods. “Is that okay?”
“It’s okay that you told them. But don’t you think you gave them the wrong impression?” I ask quietly. “The school year just began. I can take Lara out more easily now than I can in a few months. If we’re moving back to California, it’s going to be soon.”
“You don’t think we can see each other long distance?”
I shake my head. “I’ve loved every minute with you this past week. I don’t think I could’ve made it through having Lara away and the arsons hanging over me without your friendship.”
“Sammy, this isn’t a friendship.”
I have to be blunt. I don’t want to lead him on, and I don’t want to fool myself. Brady is deep into his life in Whispering Pines, and if I start my retreat in California, I’m not coming back. “We’ve got a friendship with benefits situation. We’re physically involved, but friends.”
He puffs up his cheeks and exhales slowly. “If you stay in Whispering Pines, would you think about us becoming more than friends?”
“I haven’t really thought about it. But I guess I would, if that's what you want.”
“Good,” he says and lets out a long breath.
I’m surprised he’sthatinterested in me. Our sex is good. It’s the best I’ve ever had. But a good sex partner doesn’t make a good life partner. I see him with someone younger, someone more naïve and open. Not someone worn out from years of navigating her husband’s betrayal while taking care of a toddler and running her own business.
If I stay, would I feel guilty being coupled with Brady when there was a better woman out there for him?
That’s not a today-problem.
The dogs drop the stick at my feet. “I think you wore them out.” I toss the stick about five feet.
“You want some throwing pointers?” he asks, the familiar tease back in his voice.
“From Whispering Pines’ star baseball player? You bet I—”
“Sammy.” My name rings out behind us. Cousin Tabitha runs down the road. “I saw you guys out with the dogs.”
“You have to see Brady throw.” I wrap my arm around Brady’s waist. “He’s got a baseball throw.” I nestle against his sturdybody and feel myself sink into a place of safety and adoration. God, am I making a huge mistake by setting boundaries between us?
“Ollie would love to see a baseball throw.” Tabitha gets a little color on her cheeks when she says her boyfriend’s name.
“How’s he doing?” Brady asks.
“He was back at work yesterday,” she says proudly, then frowns. “I was going to come by later to tell you.” She sighs like the bad news is coming. “I heard some things. Well, I heard from Misty who heard from her sister who’s best friends with Daphne….”
