Page 88 of Parentmoon

The arrangement is gorgeous and vibrant and everything opposite what Keli would have had in mid-March in Chicago.

“It’s beautiful.”

Laria smiles and turns to Michael. “And for you.” She holds up an exquisite tropical flower and greenery, pulling pins from the base so she can attach the boutonniere to Michael’s vest.

“What is the point of this again?” He’s teasing, as Keli wants him to wear the flowers.

To my surprise, Laria has an explanation. “At one time, knights received tokens from female admirers before going into battle or attending knightly competitions. A woman might give a knight a scrap of fabric, but more commonly it was a flower that matched the color of her dress.” Michael’s flower is white. “The gesture was a hint that she was smitten with him. Knights wore the token inside their armor, over their heart.”

She pats Michael’s chest when she’s finished pinning the boutonniere. “Marriage isn’t a battle or a competition, though.”

He good-naturedly smiles at her.

My phone rings and I answer when I read Dallas’s name on the screen.

“Darlin’,” he says before I even greet him with hello. “We have an emergency here.”

“Oh no.”

Michael steps toward me when he hears the concern in my voice.

“Keli needs someone to zip up her dress. She wants a father’s first look photo, so I can’t help her.”

“Oh.” Chuckling with relief, I meet Michael’s eyes. “I’ll be right there.”

After I hang up, I explain. “Dress mishap. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Turning to Laria, I say, “Walk with me.”

When we exit the house, we walk through the sand to the opposite side of the resort where Dallas spent the night.

“How is the marriage revival trip going?” I ask, guilt-ridden that Laria worked on wedding flowers when she’s here on a retreat to rebuild her marriage.

“A revival trip should actually include sex, wouldn’t you think?” She sighs while squinting in the morning sunlight. “I’m sorry. Did I just say that out loud?”

I softly chuckle. “You did.” Then I sober. “But I’m sorry it’s not working out.”

“I think we both see the writing on the wall. We’re over.”

Pausing in the sand, I grip her arm. “I’m so sorry, Laria. I’ve been there.”

She shrugs. “I have my boys to consider and my own happiness as well. And I’m tired of being unhappy.”

I remember that feeling well.

“I see what you and Dallas have, and I want that.”

My brows lift. “Don’t you mean Michael and Keli?”

“No. I’ll never go back to being young again. I’m at a point that I need life to start where I’m at now. And where I’m at means moving forward, not looking back. I can only hope one day someone will look at me the way Dallas looks at you. He wants you whole-heartedly.”

“I—” Glancing toward a set of two-story condos, I catch Dallas pacing the balcony on the second floor. He stills, looking back at me as if he senses me watching him. He’s dressed similarly to Michael in sand-colored linen pants and vest. Where did that outfit come from?

“I don’t think that’s true. About Dallas. We’re only a . . . now-thing.” Only having fun. Yet the words diminish how I really feel about us.

Laria shakes her head. “Don’t be blind, Jo. We’ve both been in relationships where we had our eyes closed for too long. Maybe it was a while ago for you, but don’t not see what’s standing right before you.” She waves in the general direction of Dallas. “That man is in love with you.”

“What?!” I glance up at Dallas again, now standing still on the balcony, hands braced on the railing. Laria waves at him and Dallas lifts a hand in greeting.