“Yes. Gigi andPuss in Boots, and last year, we played with friends.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun, sweetie. I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow!”
“You too, Daddy. You bring me present? A big one? Red?”
“Yup. I’ll bring you a present. Can I talk to Gigi for a second?”
“No. She’s pooping.”
I snorted. I covered my mouth with my hand as Charlotte’s eyes danced with amusement. Gwen was an absolute gem. For three years old, she spoke well but she was a hoot. My mom would die of embarrassment, which somehow made this so much better.
“I am not pooping. Gwen. We don’t share that about people. We say they are in the bathroom.”
“Bassroom.”
“Bath.”
“Bass.”
“Ah, you sweet girl.” My mom laughed. “You look well, Hayden. Maybe you need to actually do things for yourself more often.”
“Ha, I don’t know about that.” I grabbed the back of my neck, not sure how I was gonna do anything if I didn’t findhelp. That was tomorrow’s problem though. “I slept seven hours.”
“Holy Batman, that’s… Whatever you did, do it again and again. You seriously look great.”
My attention flicked to Charlotte for a beat, and she quickly pretended to study the bathroom door. It would almost be funny, if I weren’t unsure about our future.
“I feel great. But hey, is Gwen still using the bathroom on her own? I know she loves when you two baby her.”
“She’s been doing okay. She woke me up at four to get help, which I don’t mind, but she seemed independent.”
“Okay, good. I can’t have her regressing. And whenever I’m away, I feel like she does something like that.”
“No, it’s not because you’re away. It’s normal for her to go through ups and downs. “Hayden Orion, I swear, you need to do more stuff like this. I will fly back once a month to get your butt out of the house. I like this side of you, where you don’t look twenty-eight going on eighty-seven.”
“Wow, you keep me humble.”
“Shut up.” My mom laughed. “Now, how is Charlotte?”
Charlotte choked, coughing into her fist as my stomach dropped.
“Have you finally pulled your head out of your butt and told her you like her?”
Well, shit. Never thought my mom would be the reason I’d confess everything to Charlotte. Chewing the inside of my cheek, I debated my next move. I could admit it, deny it, or downplay it. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt abouteverything, but I for sure regretted not leaving the room when I had the opportunity.
“It’s complicated, Mom.” I gripped the back of my neck, Charlotte’s gaze boring into me.
“Most things in life are, hon, but this weekend is the perfect time to tell her. I’m sick of watching you pretend you aren’t into her. It’s been years, Hayden.” She clicked her tongue, her telltale sign of disapproval. “With your dad and me leaving, I’m worried you’ll let fatherhood be the excuse for not putting yourself out there.”
I ran a finger over my eyebrow, a dull throb starting from stress. “Going right at me, huh?”
She shrugged. “I want a daughter-in-law when we come back next year.”
“Mom,” I spat out, “good God, reel it back.” My neck burned as I tried to come up with an excuse to end this call. My mom wasn’t someone you hung up on.
“No. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. You’re your own obstacle in this scenario, and I’ve been nice for years. Do something about it. Especially this weekend, before you’re totally on your own.”
“Wait.” I shook my head. There was a lot to unpack, but one thing stuck out the most. “How she looks at me? What do you mean?”
