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“Oh yes, he knows all right.”
“Don’t tell me he was upset?” From the look on her face, she was all set to hunt him down and give him hell if that was the case.
I smiled. “No, not at all. He’s been great, actually.”
Dawn’s eyebrows twitched toward her hairline. “Really? Does that mean you two are on speaking terms again?”
I shrugged, playing it casual. “Apparently.”
“So you’ve seen him?”
“A few times, yeah.” For some reason, I was reluctant to admit to our almost nightly phone calls, or exactly how close it felt like we’d gotten over the last few weeks.
Dawn’s eyes narrowed as she studied me. “And?”
“And nothing,” I replied, endeavoring to keep my expression neutral.
Her mouth fell open, and she pointed an accusing finger at me. “Oh my God, you’re blushing, you dirty liar. Don’t hold out on me!”
Curse this translucent complexion of mine!
Shaking my head, I pressed a palm to my heated cheek. “Relax, we’re not getting back together or anything. We’re just friends.”
Dawn continued to scrutinize me, her sharp eyes missing nothing. “But you’re thinking about getting back together with him, aren’t you?”
“No. Maybe.” Pressing my lips together, I shook my head again. “I don’t know what I want, to be honest.”
“Sure you do. Those cheeks don’t lie. You want to do sexy things with him.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “Yes, fine, you’ve got me there. But who wouldn’t? Have you seen what he looks like these days?”
“I’ve seen a few pictures.” Dawn’s eyebrows waggled appreciatively. “The man can still get it.”
“I’ll tell you what, he looks even better in person, which is completely unreasonable of him.”
“Sounreasonable,” she agreed. “How dare he be so effortlessly attractive at our age? And you know he’s not doing anything to deserve it. Probably just rolls out of bed and splashes water on his face. Meanwhile, I’m going through a ten-step skincare routine twice a day trying to stave off the ravages of time.”
“Believe me, I’m right there with you.” I smiled, remembering Donal’s Rogaine confession, but kept it to myself. “Regardless, I’m not sure it’d be smart to get involved with him like that again.”
“Why not? He’s divorced now and you’re single, right?” She frowned. “He’s not still hung up on his ex-wife, is he? Hasn’t it been over a year since they divorced?”
“It’s not that.” I chewed on the inside of my lip as I tried to articulate what was holding me back. “I just think our focus should be on Erin and trying to build a relationship with her. Things are complicated enough without me jumping into bed with Donal.”
“From what you said, it sounds like things are going well between you and Erin.”
“They are—or at least I think they are. But I’ve never been a parent before. I have no idea what I’m supposed to be doing or what she needs from me. I’m not equipped for any of this. I don’t know how to be anyone’s mother.”
A hint of a smile touched Dawn’s lips as she tilted her head. “I doubt she expects you to be. She’s nearly thirty, right? A fully grown woman.You’re off the hook with the parenting stuff.”
“Yes, but she’s having a baby, which means I’ll be a grandmother, I guess? Sort of? Technically.” It still weirded me out to think about it, but the weirdness came with a thrill of excitement. And with the excitement came a heaping dose of anxiety. “But aren’t grandmothers supposed to be baby experts? I was never even a mother, and now I’m jumping over the beginner’s bracket and advancing straight to the pro level. Only I don’t know the first thing about babies. I haven’t even changed a diaper since I used to babysit in high school.”
Dawn laughed. “I know a lot has changed in the world since we were young, but I’m pretty sure babies and poop still work basically the same way.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do, but I think you’re worrying too much.”
“Have you met me?” I mumbled. “Also, Donal’s got two kids, so you know he’s going to roll in like some kind of baby whisperer and wow everyone with his superior grandparent skills.”
