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“Mimi and I knew that if we tried to fix you up with Tom you’d never go for it. Not with your history. But she thought you wouldn’t be able to pass up on a ghost story. And what with Tom in charge of that building, well, it seemed like it would be inevitable that it would throw the two of you together. I had no idea you’d prove so stubborn. Mimi wanted to give up when you never responded, but I just couldn’t, so I sent it on your editor hoping you’d eventually get it.”
“I get why Mimi wants me and Tom together, but, sorry, I don’t understand why you’d go to such lengths.”
Lauren’s cheeks pinked up. “Would you believe me if I told you the song was driving me crazy? And that it didn’t stop until I sent that email? It’s like someone was compelling me to write it.”
Allie blinked. “Um, yeah, I guess I could believe that.”
“Look, I know we don’t know each other well, but this is what I do know. Tom is the best guy I’ve ever known. The absolute best. We got married because I was too afraid of being a single parent, and because I couldn’t stand letting my parents down. It was a dumb reason, but twelve years ago it was the best decision we could come up with. I knew Tom was into you. Way more than he ever was into me. But he gave up everything to try to make our marriage work. And I love him for that. And because he’s the best dad ever. When Tom takes something on, you get one hundred percent of him.”
Allie cleared her throat. “So what happened? If Tom is such a saint why didn’t the marriage work?”
“I know this sounds like a big cliché, but one day I looked at the calendar and realized that in a year I’d be turning thirty. And I knew that if I didn’t do something, I’d be forty, and then fifty, and I would have spent half my life with someone I shouldn’t be with. So I put on my big girl pants and asked Tom for a divorce.”
“I bet that was one interesting conversation,” Allie said.
“Yeah.” Lauren grinned. “When Tom makes up his mind it’s like moving a two ton boulder uphill. But eventually, he caved in. And I moved back home to be near my parents.”
“Mimi told me your daddy’s been having some health problems.”
Lauren nodded sadly. “Tom was terrific about it. According to our divorce settlement he didn’t have to agree to the move. Taking Henry out of state was a no-no. But you know what? He helped me pack up and settle in, and then for nearly a year straight he drove down almost every weekend to see Henry. Because that’s the kind of guy he is. Tom doesn’t go around telling you he loves you. He proves it with his actions.”
Allie swallowed hard. “Can I ask you a question? What do you think is making us hear the music? I mean, do you think maybe…”
“Do I think your grandmother is using her old records to communicate with us? I don’t know. I just think there’s too many unexplained things in the universe to rule anything out. It’s like the idea of an afterlife. I don’t have to have proof to know one exists.” Lauren smiled. “Maybe there’s just some things we aren’t meant to figure out.”
For a long moment, neither of them said anything. Then Lauren glanced down at her watch. “I should open the store back up. In case any customers decide to show up.”
Allie jumped from her seat. “Oh, yeah, of course.”
“Look, Allie, for what’s it worth, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to mess with your professional life. It’s just, Mimi was convinced that you still had feelings for Tom. And I’m convinced he still has feelings for you. And all I know is that any woman lucky enough to be on Tom Donalan’s radar would be an idiot to not give him a shot.”
It was perfect weather for a football game. Cool, crisp, and blessedly dry for a change. The air was heavy with excitement and the smell of hot boiled peanuts. Toss in a packed stadium and life didn’t get much better in small town Florida.
The Whispering Bay Wolverines were facing their cross state rival, the Old Explorer’s Bay Conquistadors. Old Explorers Bay was a small town south of St. Augustine located on Florida’s east coast. Both schools had won the state’s 2A football championship in the past and both desperately wanted to beat each other tonight. Small town pride was at stake, along with a chance to get into the playoffs.
Thirteen years ago, the Wolverines beat the Conquistadors 28-3. Tom had thrown a near flawless game. Afterward, Lauren had given him his first blow job. It had been the perfect end to a perfect night. Tonight, he sat next to her with Henry on his other side. His parents were here, too, along with half the town. He stared down at the top of her blonde head. A lot had changed in thirteen years. He wasn’t the same guy who’d gotten her pregnant. And she wasn’t the same girl who’d come to him in tears worried about how her parents would react to the news. They were both on a different course now, each of them trying to eke out a new life.
Are you happy? A week ago he thought he was. But tonight he knew different.
He wondered how Lauren would answer that question.
Then he wondered how Allie would answer it. He hoped the answer would be yes. Even if it meant being happy without him. Which definitely seemed to be the case.
“Want something to drink?” he asked Lauren, nodding toward the concession stand where Mimi Grant and Kitty Pappas were selling cold cokes and hot nachos.
“Sure. I’ll take a coke. And a hot dog. You know how I like it.” She turned to their son. “Henry, go help your dad.”
Henry stood and waved to someone on the far right side of the bleachers. “Can Cameron spend the night?” he asked.
Tom followed his gaze. It was hard not to spot Zeke Grant. Harder even to ignore his sister, sitting next to him. Allie wore jeans and a maroon and gold Wolverines sweatshirt. Her long brown hair hung loose and straight down her back. Tom couldn’t tell from this angle, but he’d bet she had on those blue cowboy boots, too. He’d like to see her in those again. In just those and nothing else. It was unlikely that would ever happen. But a guy could dream.
Man, he had it bad.
In that instant Zeke Grant turned and caught Tom staring at his sister. Grant’s eyes hardened. Yeah, asshole, good thing you can’t read my mind.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Lauren said. “As long as it’s okay with Cameron’s parents.”
“Mimi’s working concessions. We’ll ask her.” He led his son to the bottom of the bleachers. Within seconds, Cameron joined them. Both boys seemed happy to see one another.
