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It was plain as day to see. This woman was still very much in love with her ex-husband. The mere mention of surfing had shaken her to the core.
“Good to know. I’ll have to take her surfing sometime. Maybe you’d like to come and watch?”
“That would be great,” she stirred with her face lighting up.
“Have you been able to head out to the beach? Oak Island is known for its beaches. We get tons of tourists during the summer, it’s the only time of year that you will see the beach packed with people from all over the world. The rest of the time it’s just us locals. Maybe I could show you and Aubrey around town sometime? I bet she’d love that… to get to spend time with you and all,” I pressed.
There was no way in hell that her mama didn’t want to spend time with her. I could tell by the way her face lit up every time she talked about her. But there was also remorse on her face and traces of guilt in her voice. If there was anything I could do to make it better, I would.
Sometimes people needed to see the light before they could get out of the darkness.
“That would be lovely, Dylan. I might have to take you up on that offer.”
“Not a problem, ma’am. I’d be honored, two pretty girls on my arm… can’t ask for a better day.”
She smiled. “I’m glad Aubrey has a friend like you here. Are you sure I can’t get you something to drink? I need to get ready for work, but I’m so glad I got to meet you,” she repeated with the same enthusiasm as the first time.
“I’m—”
“Hey,” Aubrey announced, stepping into the room, surprised. “Mom! I didn’t think you were still here. I thought you had to go to work?”
“I do.” She looked down at her watch. “I’m actually going to be late. I just wanted to meet one of your friends.”
Aubrey nervously looked over at me, and I arched an eyebrow. “You look beautiful, friend.” I grinned, taking in her yellow dress that I knew she wore for me.
They both smiled at me, but when they turned back to face each other I could sense the tension between them, and it killed me to see Aubrey struggling with her emotions.
Especially since she never did that with me.
Although, I was sad for them, I was happy that I got to see the vulnerability between them. I got a deeper look into Aubrey’s life, learning something new.
“Well, you kids have fun. Aubrey, please try to be home by eleven, okay? I’ll be home early in the morning to make you some breakfast,” she said with a strain in her voice.
She nodded as her mom leaned into her ear to whisper, “I like him,” I overheard her say as Aubrey locked eyes with me.
“It was nice to meet you, Dylan. Maybe next time we could plan that day?”
“You can count on it,” I declared, my stare still fixated with Aubrey’s.
Her mom excused herself to go get ready for her shift, leaving Aubrey and me alone in the living room.
“Are you ready to head out?” I asked, cocking my head towards the front door. She nodded in response, a little taken back with what her mom said to me before she left the room.
“Lead the way, suga’.”
A smile spread across her pretty face when she realized there were flowers in my lap.
“Are those for me?”
“No, I don’t buy my friends flowers,” I replied with a smart-ass grin.
She took the flowers out of my hands and said, “Thank you.” Not bothering to acknowledge my retort.
After she put the flowers in water I grabbed her hand, helping her down the stairway as we left the house.
“Hey, I’m really sorry about my mom, I didn’t think she would be here. What was she talking about back there? What day?”
My fingers brushed hers when I reached to open her door, purposely trying to be a gentleman. Another one of Alex’s quirky little tips. The smirk on her lips told me she knew what I was up to. She didn’t comment on it, but I was hoping my efforts were going to be appreciated. I closed her door with the same affectionate smile she’d given me.
