Ryan loved kids—from a distance—and I didn’t know how Preston felt about them, but an adult dinner was a bit different than one including children. But I appreciated Ivy being there
for me today, and I wanted to spend more time with her.
Besides, Rhi was adorable. Especially when she wasn’t sobbing.
Ivy brightened as she rose. “You know, maybe we can. Let me see what Rory says, and I’ll let you know.”
I stood too. Thankfully, the earth felt a lot more solid beneath my feet than it had just a short while ago. My stomach had settled, and I wasn’t nearly as dizzy. Of course that might’ve been because my panic had finally receded.
For the time being anyway. I hadn’t begun to fully process everything. I just couldn’t yet. Right now, I was just trying to get through each minute. To come to terms with my new reality. Only then could I think about my next steps.
We walked out into the main part of the store into chaos.
Clothes were spread all over the floor and the rack that had held them had toppled on its side. Brynn was sitting amidst the mess, gathering accessories, tops, and skirts. Kinleigh crouched near her to help pick up while another employee manned the register. A long line of customers had already formed and more than a few of them seemed disgruntled.
I hurried over to join Kinleigh and Brynn. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I was sick. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I’ll help Brynn. Go on and assist your customers, Kin.” I bent over near the biggest pile of unsorted clothes, but as soon as I did, a pink hue pulsed around Brynn.
“Hang on there.” Ivy rushed over to steady me again, and I wobbled before I sank onto my ass on the floor.
I glanced up in time to see Ivy and Kinleigh exchange a look. One that said so much. Besties could convey a whole conversation without words.
Seeing mine tomorrow night without letting on what was happening with me was going to be a challenge. But she wasn’t the only one I’d have to convince my world hadn’t turned upside down.
There was also Caleb.
Thirteen
“Are you sure you don’t want to take my momma out, Mr. Beck?”
I gazed down at little Tommy Molloy and tried to keep from grinning. “Well, Tommy, I’m sorry, but I have a girlfriend. But that’s awfully nice of you to want to set up your mom.”
“She needs to go on a date. She and my dad are diz-vorced.”
“Diz-vorced?”
Tommy pushed his glasses up his nose and nodded. “For like a really long time.”
“That so?” I thought his mother had just told me about the divorce recently, but time had no meaning lately.
Everything was moving in fast forward. It wouldn’t be that long until first quarter report cards were due, which would mean the joy of parent-teacher conferences. Then not long after that would be Halloween and our classroom party, which would herald in a season of more holidays, numerous chorale concerts, and insanity.
On top of that, my relationship with Luna seemed to be accelerating too. Neither of us said anything. We weren’t into labels or designations. We hadn’t discussed her being my girlfriend, but I’d told Tommy how I felt. I didn’t know what else to call her. We spent the bulk of our free time together. Slept together almost every night—literally. Sometimes at my place, sometimes at hers. We’d wake up and make breakfast together or I would make our meal while she did yoga or did one of her routines with her blessedly wonderful pole.
We felt solid. Like a real couple. As if we were becoming…more.
More than I’d ever had before, that was for certain. And I liked it. Telling Tommy what I hadn’t said to anyone else yet—including Luna—seemed right. So much, in fact, that I couldn’t keep from grinning as the little towheaded boy told me how his dad had moved out “forever ago”, so now would be a good time for another guy to become the “man of the house.”
“But aren’t you the man of the house now? You have a little sister, don’t you?”
“Yes. Tina.” Tommy screwed up his face. “She won’t pick up her toys but still marks off the chart so she gets a dollar. No fair.”
“I have a younger sister too. She’s actually one of my best friends. It’ll be different when you’re older. You’ll see.”
Tommy gazed up at me as if I’d just said the tooth fairy was really Santa Claus. “Tina steals food.”
“She’s just a baby now. You wait.” I tapped my chin. “You know, if your mom gets remarried, you might get another sister.”
The horror that crossed Tommy’s face had me swallowing a laugh. He hightailed it out of the room without even saying goodbye.