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“Did I hear from your mother that you went to the grand opening of the garage?” Dad asked as he passed the salad bowl to me.
“I went to support my Shops on Main friends.” The group started as a way to network, but we’d become close and always showed up to support each other.
“The garage isn’t on Main,” Mom observed.
I hummed in agreement as I scooped the salad onto my plate before passing it to Abby. “We’ve expanded to include any shop owners in the historic district who want to join.”
“Gia asked me to stop by to take some photos to submit to the paper,” Abby said.
I tensed, wondering if she saw Ben. She’d always teased me about him when we were kids. She was convinced he was into me. “You were there?”
“I took pictures from the outside. The paper will want the renovation featured.” Abby plucked a piece of crusty garlic bread from her son, Hunter’s, plate. “That’s enough bread for you. Eat your dinner.”
Hunter screwed his face up in a scowl, but he picked up his fork and cut a tiny piece of pasta, popping it into his mouth.
The original garage had closed and sat empty for years. Jake and Ryan had done a good job renovating the place to protect the aesthetics while making it theirs.
“You only went to support your fellow Shops on Main friends?” Abby asked, her gaze carefully assessing me. It was Abby’s way of asking if I was seeing anyone.
“I wanted to support Hailey. She’s dating Ryan, one of the owners.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Abby said, and we ate quietly for a few seconds.
I hoped they’d move on to a different topic, one that wasn’t so centered on me.
“The other owner seemed attractive enough,” Abby finally said.
My face heated when I remembered what I’d said to Hailey last night. I’d been teasing. “He is, but I’m not interested.”
“Why not? Don’t you think it’s time to start dating again?” Mom asked as she took a bite of lasagna.
“I haven’t met anyone I’m interested in.” My family worried about me, especially after how I was when I moved home after my divorce.
“You have to put yourself out there,” Dad said gruffly as he exchanged a look with Mom.
My stomach dipped painfully at the idea of making myself vulnerable. I wasn’t ready for that. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be.
“If it’s time for me to start dating again, then it’s definitely time for Abby.” Her ex left shortly after she had Hunter.
“Not cool,” Abby mouthed across the table from me.
I grinned, not feeling bad in the least. I didn’t want the spotlight on me.
Mom nodded at her grandson. “Hunteris sevennow.”
Abby winced. “I’m not talking about this in front of him.”
Hunter was too busy hiding his peas under the placemat to pay attention to our conversation.
Mom shot us both a disappointed look. “I’m not getting any younger. I’d like to see you girls settled.”
What did that even mean? Abby owned a home and had a child. We both owned businesses. We were adults. Why did we have to settle down with someone to ease our parents’ minds? “Abby’s not ready, and neither am I.”
Abby didn’t quite meet my gaze when I looked to her for support, and I wasn’t sure what that meant.
“When was the last time you went out?” Mom asked.
After the grand opening of the garage, most of the shop owners celebrated the new addition to our Shops on Main group at Max’s Bar & Grille, but I didn’t join them.
