Page 24 of Let Me Show You

As I scan the goodies, I glance over my shoulder and see a blonde walk up to Noah. She’s overly nice and so loud I can hear her laughter echo off the walls.

I watch them as I pour myself some punch, then realize I recognize her from Owen’s school drop-off. That’s when I notice her son is standing next to her.

She touches Noah’s arm, then flips her long hair as she giggles like a lovestruck teenager. Jealousy courses through me at how close she's standing to him. It's obvious she finds Noah attractive by the way she keeps gazing up and down his body as if she’s memorizing every inch of him.

She leans closer, flirting with Noah even though a room full of people are watching. The thought infuriates me as I fill another cup of punch for myself. I get Owen’s attention and wave him over to help because there's no way I’ll be able to carry all of this without spilling it.

When he’s close, I bend down and keep my voice low. “Doesn’t that kid go to your school?” I ask him.

“Yep. That's Anthony. He moved here a couple of months ago and is in my class.”

“I thought so,” I say with a smile.

“Can I go say hi?”

“Sure,” I say. He takes his punch from me, then crosses the room.

As soon as I'm back at the table, Gemma moves her chair closer to mine.

“Who’s that woman?” she whispers.

“I don’t remember her name, but her son is in Owen's class.”

Everleigh butts into our conversation. “Oh, that's Brittany Townsend. She works at the deli with Belinda.”

Gemma and I turn toward her as she pops a grape in her mouth. “How the hell do you know everybody in town?”

“Lawton Ridge covers a five-mile radius. Everyone should know everyone, Katie.”

I scowl at her sassy response. “Everyone knows everyone who's always lived here. She hasn’t, and she doesn’t come to the bank.”

Everleigh laughs. “I'm surprised you haven't seen her working at the deli. I think she started a month ago or so.”

I shrug. “I’m a single mom. I make a lot of slow cooker meals and eat a lot of leftovers, so I rarely go to the deli unless I forget to pack my lunch.”

Gemma snorts. “I don't think that's a single mom thing. I think that's a super organized OCD thing.”

I laugh. “Perhaps.”

“Don’t be modest. You’re a great mom, and I can only hope I’m half as good a mom as you.”

“You will be. Honestly, you just figure it out as you go. Most of us don’t know what the fuck we’re doing. I’m a professional at winging it.”

“Well, you make it look effortless,” Everleigh says. “Knowing me, I’d forget to feed my kid.”

I snort as I watch Owen chatting with Anthony. “Trust me, you won’t. Between them crying or yelling ‘Mom’ a hundred times a day, you’ll happily stuff food in their mouths to shut them up.”

“Probably why Tyler and Noah keep bringin’ pastries to the gym every morning,” Gemma says, chuckling.

“They’re trying to keep you from talkin’ their ears off.” Everleigh chuckles.

After I'm done eating, Owen returns, and I notice Jerry is finally alone. I take the opportunity to give him a hug and tell him congratulations.

“Thanks, Katie. I'm sure Gemma thought I'd be working forever.”

“Well, you probably would’ve if it wasn't for Belinda talkin’ some sense into you.” I nudge him.

Jerry gives his famous hearty dad laugh that I always loved growing up. “You're right. She's made me realize there are more important things in life than working every day, and this old man needed a break.”