“With the wooin’.” He shoots me one of his devious grins. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m pretty into you.”
“Really?” I deadpan. “I couldn’t tell.” But I’m a liar and he knows it. My body heats thinking of all the ways he’s shown up for me and Edward these past weeks.
My phone buzzes in my bag and I pull it out to check the notification, thankful for the distraction.
Clint: Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow! I’ll be at the diner at 10:30.
Oh, shit.I swipe the notification away before Jackson sees. I forgot about my upcoming date. Guilt wraps around my body, souring this perfect day. When I made these plans with Clint, I thought Jackson was out of the picture. I never imagined he’d show up to “woo” me.
I should cancel. Though, I feel bad doing that when Clint is such a nice guy. It’s just lunch. We haven’t even kissed. Maybe I should just go and explain to him in person about how things have changed for me since we last went out? I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings, especially when Clint is new to this town and our sons will be classmates.
Yeah. That’s what I’ll do. I’ll meet him and tell him where I stand with Jackson.
Only, I don’t really know where we stand. Not in a way I can define.
When I left his cabin after our week together, I was sure things were over. I was so scared of the possibility that things could go right, I shut this down before I risked my heart. How insane is that? Whether I wanted it or not, my heart was already involved. These past few weeks, Jackson has given me a glimmer of what our lives could look like, and I like it more than I should. I like him more than I’ve liked any other man.
I’m still scared, but I’m starting to think I’m wrong. Wrong about playing things safe. Wrong about not pursuing more with him.
“Jackson, look at this!” Edward calls him over.
“Watch the cart?” Jackson says to me. He must read the stress on my face as frustration about shopping for a toy. “This won’t take long.”
“Take your time. Just one toy, though!”
“One?” Jackson winks. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“One!” I shout after him before he and Edward disappear into the toy section. But I can’t muster up any real annoyance. I love that he wants to do things for Edward. That he wants to be the source of excitement and joy for my son in ways he’s never had. He’s showing Edward what it’s like to be cared for by feeding him, by sharing his love of Wilder Valley with him, and by treating me well.
Jackson’s truckis packed as we make the drive back to Wilder Valley. Edward sits in the back of the extended cab, shopping bags piled around him, his hands clutching the LEGO set Jackson bought him, his lips in a soft smile as he dozes off. There’s something about sleep that accentuates his youthfulness. Still, I can’t deny he’s growing up. My heart squeezes knowing that on Monday he’ll officially be a second grader.
As I turn back to face the front window, I catch Jackson’s gaze.
“He’s out.”
“Shopping does that.” Jackson grins.
I think of tackling today on my own. I’ve done it countless times, and I’m completely capable. But it was more fun with a partner, and I’m grateful he’s the one driving us home.
“Thank you for driving. And lunch. And all the spoiling.”
“It was my pleasure,” Jackson says. Silence stretches between us, but it’s a comfortable silence.
My eyes grow heavy with each passing mile and I consider taking a nap of my own.
“Will he sleep tonight?” Jackson asks. “Or will this nap ruin it?”
“As long as we get back before dinner, I think he’ll be fine.” Edward doesn’t take many naps these days, but it’s been a busy week.
“Don’t you have book club tonight?”
I do. But since today’s outing ran longer than planned, I’ll skip it.
“Yeah, but I don’t have time.”
“What do you mean? Don’t y’all start around five?”
“Sarah’s hosting, but I need to feed Edward and then drop him off at Maeve’s. By the time I’d get there, I’d miss all the good stuff. Besides, after the day we had, I think Edward just needs to go home and decompress.”
