Page 98 of Between the Lines

She smiled faintly. “I’m sure you’re right. I just wish I didn’t feel like every grown-up decision requires a risk assessment. Things were so much simpler in high school.”

“Were they, though?” Robbie snorted out a soft laugh. “Welcome to adulthood. It’s not that bad. Still better than being a teenager with acne and no money.”

“I guess.”

A piece of bacon popped in the pan, pulling her back into the moment. Maude turned to stir the green beans, heaving out a sigh. “You should go shower.”

“On my way,” Robbie said as he headed for the bathroom.

Thinking about Ollie made her want to talk to him. She knew he might be busy with Nolan, though, so she settled on sending a text. She picked up her phone, and it vibrated in her hand.

Ollie calling.

She let out a breath that was half relief and answered. “Hey. I was just about to text you.”

“Points for me for perfect timing,” he said. His voice sounded mostly normal, but there was an edge to it she recognized. Concern, maybe. Or stress. “I wanted to see if you were okay.”

“I’m fine,” she said. She leaned her hip against the counter and looked toward the bathroom door, listening to the soft rush of water as the shower came on. “I was just telling Robbie about last night.”

Ollie was quiet for a moment. “Nolan showing up like that was a lot,” he said. “I know. Just like I know it was awkward for you. I’m sorry about that.”

“No need to apologize,” Maude said. She meant it. “He’s your son. And yes, the timing was weird, but it’s not your fault that it shook me. I understand why you didn’t tell him about me.”

“I was worried about that,” Ollie admitted. “I was just trying to protect him.”

“I would have done the same thing.”

“Thanks. I won’t pretend I wish things had gone differently. He’s my son. And he’s hurting. He needs me. And he needs to be here.” He paused. “I get that will complicate things for a while.”

Maude closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again. “Complicated doesn’t scare me,” she said. “It’s the not knowing that does that.”

“That’s fair.” He took a breath. “I don’t want you wondering where you stand. Where we stand. Nolan being here doesn’t change how I feel about you. Not even a little.”

Her shoulders eased, the tension in them softening. “Thank you for saying that.”

“It needed to be said.” Another soft breath came through. “Look, I don’t know how things will shake out with him yet, but I do know I care about you. Deeply. Everything I said on the beach last night is still true. I don’t intend to disappear into family chaos and leave you guessing. You want to talk to me, we’ll talk. Anytime. As long as my hands aren’t in some guy’s chest.”

Maude laughed even as she wrinkled her nose. “Thanks for the visual right before dinner. Still, I appreciate that more than you know.”

“Good,” Ollie said. “Because I’d rather have uncomfortable conversations than lose you again. That is not going to happen.”

The oven timer chimed softly in the background.

“What was that?” Ollie asked.

“I’ve got chicken in the oven and green beans on the stove,” Maude said. “Robbie just got home and went to shower.”

“Then I’ll let you go,” Ollie said. “Thank you for being patient with me. With all of this.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “I just need us to keep talking. Like this.”

“We will,” he promised.

They hung up, and Maude set her phone down on the counter, the delicious smell of the chicken reaching her.

Whatever came next, with Ollie, with Nolan, with Robbie, or anything, two things were clear to her. One, that honest communication was key.

And two, Robbie was right. Being an adult wasn’t so bad.