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“You know, Skye, it sounds like you don’t have the best track record with picking guys.”
“You’re absolutely right. But it’s so hard to know when you first meet someone.”
“That’s true. It takes time to get to know someone’s true colors.”
“Well, anyway, that’s why I have decided I’m done trying to date. I just get to be the cool, fun aunt, and that’s okay with me.”
I tried to hide the look of disappointment on my face. It wasn’t like I thought she was going to fall in love with me tonight or anything, but after so many years of vying for her, I couldn’t help that her words stung, just a little bit.
“That’s enough about my dating troubles. Tell me what’s going on in the world of dating when you’re, like, a super successful, smart, handsome, rich, single dad.”
I laughed and tried to gloss over the fact that she had just called me handsome and smart.
“There is absolutely nothing to speak of.”
“Oh, come on. I’m sure you have women chasing you down the streets.”
“If they are, I’ve never noticed.”
“You’re telling me you don’t date at all?”
“Nope. The last first date I went on was with Rachel. And that was nearly…twelve years ago.”
“Do you think you’ll get back into the world of romance again someday?”
The question was innocent enough, but I truly had no idea how to answer it. It was something I had thought about for a long time, and something I had discussed with Rachel before she passed. We knew she didn’t have much time, and she was adamant that I not be alone for the rest of my life. She wanted me to be happy, and if getting remarried would make me happy, she was fully in support of it.
“I don’t know. I guess—maybe—i don’t really want to be alone forever.”
“You have Laila and Cora.”
“For now. But someday they’ll grow up and leave.”
“That’s true. I guess that’s the downfall of children. They don’t get to stick around forever. It wouldn’t be fair to ask them to do so, anyway.”
“I would love to fall in love again,” I said. “But I guess I’m not ready to start actively seeking it out yet.”
“You really loved her, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did. She was everything I wanted in a partner.”
“So, how do you go about finding someone else?”
“I have no idea. I guess whoever I end up with will just have to accept the fact that part of me will always love her. She’ll always have a piece of my heart.”
“I’m sure you’ll find someone like that, Owen. You deserve to be happy and loved.”
“Thank you for saying that. And you deserve the same, by the way, even if you have sworn off men for the time being.”
She laughed and took a sip of her hot chocolate as Annie reappeared at the bottom of the stairs.
“Owen, those are the sweetest little girls I have ever met. They are so polite. You’ve done a great job with them.”
“Oh, wow, um, thank you. I’m glad they are behaving themselves.”
“Well, folks,” she announced to the room, even though Skye and I were the only ones in earshot, “dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes. I hope you’re hungry.”
And promptly twenty minutes later,all eighteen of us were gathered around the table, passing dishes of food, getting caught up on each other’s lives, and trying to wrangle the gaggle of children. It was the loudest dinner I had attended in years, but it wasn’t a bad loud. It was noisy from chatter, laughter, and silverware hitting against dishes.
