“What’s that?”
“You’re worrying that things won’t work out, and you’re going a million miles a minute and wondering what that looks like. You’re wondering if it makes you irresponsible.”
I grin. “How did you get so wise?”
“Well, that had nothing to do with you. Or Gav. Definitely not Luke or Mallet.”
“Speaking of Mallet, have you heard from him lately? I haven’t talked to him in a while.”
“Briefly. We talked briefly last week. He’s good, I think. Sounded happy for once. Well, happy in Mallet language.”
I laugh. “I feel you on that.”
“Right? But, no, he’s okay. He finally seems to be coming around again. You can talk to him about things now that don’t always wind up being about the divorce, so that helps.”
I frown.
“But back to you,” she says. “Do you like Megan? Like really like her?”
“Kate, I don’t know. I mean, yes. I do. But I’ve known her for less than a month, and it’s ridiculous that I feel this way. I don’t even know her. I sure as hell don’t know her well enough to wonder if it’s realistic or ludicrous even to consider the shit I’m considering.”
“Only you know the answer to that.”
“Nah, you know. Tell me. Am I being ignorant? I mean, she either leaves in two weeks, and I never see her again.”My stomach clenches. “Or she leaves, and we try some long-distance thing.”That will never work. “Or she leaves, and we see how it goes. Or she stays here and …” I sigh. “Fuck.”
Kate chuckles softly. “I love seeing you like this.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. Living a life, maybe. Having something for yourself. It’s nice.”
Yeah, it’s nice. For now.
Mom’s voice echoes in the distance.
“I gotta go. I promised Mom pedicures today,” Kate says. “So we’re off to get pampered while Dad golfs. Again.”
“I didn’t even know Dad likes golf.”
“Me either.”
“Okay, well, I’ll talk to you later. Tell Mom I love her.”
“I will. And Chase?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re allowed to have a life. You should have one. Everyone will be better for it—Kennedy included.”
I pause. “But what if it doesn’t work out? What if Kennedy is attached and Megan takes off?”
“Then Kennedy becomes more resilient. You, of all people, know how strong that little girl is. She lost her mother and somehow still became this happy, spirited, tenacious young woman.”
My heart warms.That’s true. She has.
“I think you’re overthinking this a little, Chase. You’re not giving Kennedy enough credit. I mean, sure, if things get serious between you and Megan and they don’t work out, Ken might be upset. But Chase …” She pauses. “What if they work out? I know you, big brother, and you would never even consider letting someone into your life who wasn’t an amazing person. So if this is even on your radar, that means something. And maybe it means that Megan could not only be good for you, but she might also be very good for Kennedy.”
Fuck.
