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I guess she had a point. I mean, it wasn’t much different for me when I thought about it. I didn’t want to be at the mall—it had lost its novelty for me about fifteen years ago. I was only here for the kids. But with Emma here, I couldn’t think of any place I’d rather be. Even earlier when Maddy was in Sephora and Emma and I sat on the bench outside just talking, Chelsea knocked out in her stroller, it was fun.
It’s funny how when you find someone you like as much as I liked her, the destination is suddenly wherever they are. Even if there’s someplace better, you wouldn’t go if they couldn’t come.
I puffed air from my cheeks. “Maybe I should see if Josie can get dropped off at the water park tomorrow.”
“You should.”
I arched an eyebrow. “I don’t suppose you want to go to the water park tomorrow. I’ll buy your ticket. Maddy’s too,” I added quickly.
But she shook her head. “No. I promised Neil I’d put in some hostas.”
I nodded. “Right. Okay.” I tried to keep the disappointment out of my voice. “And where are you putting the rosebush?”
She tilted her head. “I don’t know. I have to find a good spot.”
“Let me know if you need help planting it.”
“I’ve got Maddy.”
“So you’re saying she’s good at digging holes…”
“I’m telling her you said that.”
“Please don’t, I’m scared of her.”
She laughed.
I peered out into the mall at my brother and sister loitering by the railing, Sarah looking annoyed and Alex texting, laughing at something on his phone.
“If you didn’t come today, it probably would have crushed what was left of my fragile spirit,” I said, only half kidding.
“Oh yeah? The stakes were that high?”
I looked over at her. “What would you say if I told you you should stay another few weeks? Sign another contract.”
She looked up to the side like she was thinking about it before coming back to me. “I would say that it’s probably not doable. It’s Maddy’s turn to pick,” she said. “I had to promise her she could pick twice just to get her to agree to come here.”
“What if you begged?”
She laughed like I was joking, but really I wasn’t.
She propped her head on her hand. “I think I know what you need,” she said.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” Then she leaned over and kissed my forehead.
I closed my eyes for the three seconds her lips were pressed to my skin. My heart was in my throat.
She pulled away slowly. “Better?” she whispered. “I hear forehead kisses are all the rage.”
“Ha.” I tickled her. She squealed and twisted away from me just as an employee approached us. “Hey, sorry guys, we’re closing up.”
I looked at my watch. Nine p.m. The whole mall was shutting down.
“We should probably go home anyway,” Emma said, sliding off the bean bag.
“Yeah,” I said, getting off too.
