I snorted. “That’s an understatement.”
“Give yourself a break. At least you figured it out. And you know that’s not changing, right?” Noah gave me a serious look. “No miracle is at work. Neither set of Addie’s grandparents are becoming decent human beings. I hate that for her,” he whispered.
I squeezed his hand back. “I know, Noah. And thanks for the reminder. I’m trying to focus on the fact that I had one person I could count on growing up. My nana. I turned out okay. I think Addie will too. We’re surrounded by some pretty great people down here. My parents will be what they will be, but I’m not trying to change them. That’s not on me.”
Noah stood, tugging me to stand as well. Looking down, he smiled. “I think you’re in a good place, with or without this guy.”
I grinned up at him. “I’m really hoping it’s with, but time will tell.”
He tapped my nose. “You have hugs available for an old friend?”
“Only ones I had a child with.”
His eyes danced with amusement. “Then it’s my lucky day.” He reached out and we hugged. I felt part of me regain strength I didn’t know I’d lost.
Stepping back, he squeezed my waist. “So, I know we aren’t sure exactly what our new schedule will look like, but I was thinking at the bare minimum we could do a weekly dinner.”
I smiled at him. “That sounds great.”
“And if a certain brewery owner wanted to join us, I wouldn’t say no.”
“Noted.”
“And if he wanted to provide the beer each week, I also wouldn’t turn that down.”
I laughed. “Well, if he’s still speaking to me, I’m sure that could be arranged.”
At that, the pounding of her feet announced her immediate presence. “Dadddddd,” she called, coming to the kitchen doorway. “Did you meet Bob?”
Noah looked to me with a puzzled expression. “Bob?” he asked.
I shook my head and grinned. “The Christmas tree.”
Several hours later Ads and I were cuddled together on the couch, discussing what bedtime stories were on the itinerary for tonight, when there was a knock at the front door. I looked up to see Jake’s face in the window, and butterflies took up residence in my stomach, beating their wings like crazy.
“Jakey!” Addie got up and ran for the door, opening it to let him come in.
“Hey, peanut.” He bent down, getting to her height. “I just wanted to check in and see how you were.”
“I’m good. How’s Chief,” Ads asked, and I came to stand by her, needing to hear that Jake’s dog was okay. I’d been tempted to text him a million times since Noah left, but I willed myself to stay strong and simply be here, praying eventually he would come.
I was trying not to read too much into the fact that he was here now.
“Chief’s good.” Jake looked from me, to Addie, then back to me. “The vet had to give him some drugs for the X-rays. He fractured his hip, but he doesn’t need surgery. Just to take it easy while it heals. They’re keeping him overnight, but he’ll be home tomorrow.”
“And he’ll be fine?” I asked softly.
“He’ll be fine, babe,” Jake said.
I exhaled all my anxieties with that one word. Surely if he was calling mebabe, we were on the right path, correct?
“Peanut, want me to tell you a story before bed?” Jake asked, eyes still locked on mine.
“Little People?” Addie asked.
“Yep,” he replied, still watching me. “Go get ready for bed, and I’ll be right there.”
Addie took off running as I kept my eyes on Jake, waiting.
