Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“For the most part.” I shrugged. “Their father helps out when he can, but that seems to be less and less these days.”
“So, you two are divorced?”
“For just over six months now, but we’ve been separated for over two years.”
“You okay with that?”
“I am now. At the time, it was hard.” I shrugged. “He was sleeping with my best friend, and once I found out, I was done with them both.”
His eyes widened, and for a brief moment, he actually looked amused. “Oh, damn. That’ll do it.”
“Sure will.”
“I’m sorry. That had to be rough.”
“It was.” I gave him another shrug. “But it’s better now… I’m better, or at least, I like to think that I am.”
“I’m sure that you are.”
“What about you? Are you married? Or do you have a tragic divorce story to share?”
“I was, but that was a lifetime ago.”
“Oh?” I saw a flicker of anguish in his eyes, so I said, “So, there is a story there.”
“Yes, but that’s one for another day.”
There was a sadness in his tone that made my chest tighten, but I found hope in the fact that he mentioned another day. Maybe, just maybe, we would actually cross paths again, and that thought made me smile. “Alright. Another day.”
He smiled back, and God help me, I felt it all the way to my toes. He lifted his coffee cup and finished it off, then announced, “I hate to cut this short, but I’ve gotta get going.”
“Oh, okay. Sorry I kept you so long.”
“Don’t be.” He pulled some cash from his wallet and dropped it on the table. “I enjoyed it.”
“Me, too.”
I followed him outside, and we both stopped at the edge of the sidewalk. He gave me a look, like he was mulling something over, and for a split second, I thought he was going to ask for my number. Instead, he said, “Good to see you again.”
“You, too.”
My response was followed by another awkward pause. Eventually, he cleared his throat and said, “Have a good one and don’t let those boys get too out of control. I’d hate to see you second-guessing any more life choices.”
“I’ll do my best,” I chuckled.
And with that, he gave me a quick chin lift and continued into the parking lot. I stood there for a moment, but only a moment. I’d already embarrassed myself enough, so I turned around and headed for the Tahoe. Once inside, I watched him get on a black motorcycle and slip on a helmet.
He started the engine, and my chest tightened as he rolled out of the lot and disappeared into traffic. I just sat there, staring at the traffic, and it hit me just how little I knew about him. I hadn’t asked the right questions.
I had no idea if he was attached again, if he had kids, or where he worked. I didn’t know what his interests were or when he would be leaving. And now I might never know.
He didn’t ask for my number or mention meeting up again. I wanted to believe he had just forgotten, but deep down I knew it was more than that. Maybe it was just that he was there visiting and he didn’t want to complicate things by starting something up with me. Or maybe it was the fact that I was a divorcee with two boys.
The possibilities were endless.
And every one of them left me feeling disappointed and a little hurt.
It didn’t matter now. He was gone, and sitting in the parking lot wasn’t going to change that. I started the engine and was about to shift into reverse when my phone lit up on the console. Thomas’s name came across the screen, and I immediately answered, “Hey, sweetheart. Is everything okay?”
“Where are you?” he asked, sounding concerned.
“I’m out running errands. Why?”
“We’re at the house.”
“What?” I backed out of my parking spot and left the lot, whipping into traffic. “You weren’t supposed to be home until after dinner.”
“I know, but Dad had to drop us off early.”
“What do you mean he had to?”
“I don’t know. I guess he had something he needed to do.”
“And he didn’t tell you what it was?”
“No.”
Of course, he didn’t. Because God forbid Dan ever communicate like an adult. “Is he still there?”
“No, he’s already gone.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me.” I wanted to scream or throw my phone. Or both. But I managed to keep my composure and said, “Okay. I’ll be home in ten minutes. You guys just hang tight, okay.”
“We’re good.” He sounded rather proud of himself as he announced, “I helped Lucas crawl through my bedroom window, and he’s watching TV, and I’m about to finish this stupid book.”
“So, you started it?”
“Yeah, last night after the game.”
“You don’t like it?”
“Nah, it’s okay.”
“Just okay?”
“Mom.”
“Okay. Okay.” I knew he would like it, but I also knew better than to push. “I’ll be there soon.”