Page 21 of Wildflowers and Wide Receivers

“I can make some for you, too,” she says while looking at Tyler.

“Really? I’d love that. But only if you want to.”

“What colors do you want?”

“I like all colors, so I’ll let you decide,” he tells her.

“Okay.”

I lean over and whisper loudly, “Maybe black like his soul.”

Her eyes sparkle, and Tyler just shakes his head.

“So tell me about your new puppy. Eaten any of Jonah’s shoes? Chewed a hole in the couch?”

I want to remind him that we’ve only had her for three days. Besides, she’s too young anyway.

“No! She’s not going to do that. She’s a good puppy,” she says, hugging the caramel-colored fur ball. We got a mini goldendoodle. Where I might have preferred a large dog, I reminded myself that this one isn’t mine, and smaller is better for her. “She sleeps a lot right now, but the books told us that would change soon. Hey, isn’t that Dr. Sophie?” Vivi asks, and my heart leaps in my chest at just hearing her name.

“Where?” I turn, following her gaze.

“Right there.” She points at a woman walking across the street toward the fountain that sits in the middle of the shops and away from us.

I find her instantly, and my heart rate picks up. She’s wearing a sundress, flip-flops, and her hair is pulled into a ponytail. She has her purse on one shoulder and several bags on her other arm.

“You know what, I think you’re right.” I glance at Tyler, and he smirks at me knowingly. “I think I’ll go say hi. I’ll be right back.”

Leaving the two of them at the table, I can feel their eyes on me as I jog to catch up to her. Nerves creep their way up my spine, but I ignore them because I’m not going to let this moment get away.

“Hey, Sophie, wait up,” I call out to her to get her attention.

She turns, and surprise flits across her face before she shuts it down and gives me a small smile.

“Fancy meeting you here,” I say to her and instantly want to punch myself in the face. Her face, on the other hand, her beautiful face, I want to stare at indefinitely. “How are you?”

“Oh, I’m good. How are you?”

I like her hair pulled back. Don’t get me wrong, I like it however she wants to wear it, but this way, her face is on full display. Almond-shaped eyes that are a bright blue under the sun, freckles across the bridge of her nose and over her cheekbones, and it’s then that I notice the small diamond studs in her earlobes, which are attached instead of floppy.

“We’re good.” I glance at the table where Vivi and Tyler are watching us. Vivi shyly raises her hand to wave, and Sophie smiles so big when she waves back. It’s a strange feeling that overtakes you when someone does the smallest and simplest thing, but you know it makes your kid happy. It’s gratitude and admiration.

“Out for lunch, I see,” she says.

“Yes. Vivi got a new puppy, and we’ve made several trips to the dog boutique shop this weekend.”

“A new puppy. Sounds exciting,” she teases, but in a fun way.

I glance back at them. The server is dropping off Tyler’s drink, and she’s taking our order. Who knows what Tyler will get for me, but I’m not picky.

“It’s something. Would you like to join us?”

Please say yes. Please say yes.

“Oh,” she says, surprised, but then glances at her bags. “I can’t today. I’m on a mission, but maybe another time.” She looks at me hopefully. At least I think that’s what I’m seeing. My stomach tells me it is, and they always say to go with your gut.

I want to ask her what kind of mission, but that really isn’t any of my business, and I also want to press for when that “another time” can be. Is she just being polite, or would she like to see me again? It’s with that thought I find the courage to ask what I’ve been regretting for a long time now.

“I’d like that,” I tell her, wanting to make sure I get across that I’d really like to see her again. “I know I’m almost two and a half years late, but I really would like your number.”