“I know.” Maeve sighs. “I wish he’d grow up.”
“Eh, growing up is overrated,” Asher scoffs. “It wouldn’t hurt for all of us to make mistakes and fuck up sometimes.”
“Rosalie doesn’t make bad choices. She’s too practical for that,” Maeve tells him.
“I’ve made enough bad decisions to last a lifetime,” I whisper, staring at the floor. “I don’t have room in my life for things that don’t make my life better. Not when I’m a mother.”
“I get that. Believe me, I do.” Maeve reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “But moms deserve to have fun, too.”
The thing is, I did have fun with Jackson, and he did make my life better—we just had an expiration date. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him since I left the ranch, but maybe I’m the only one so deeply affected. He acted so torn up when I drove away, but if what Liv said is true, it sure didn’t take him long to get over me . . . and under someone else.
Maeve interrupts my thoughts. “Since you aren’t into my brother, you’ll be cool with me setting you up?”
“What?” My gaze snaps to hers. “No.”
“Come on, Rosalie. Please let me play matchmaker. I’m so damn good at it.”
“Tell us about him,” Bernadette muses, and when Maeve turns to meet her gaze, she continues. “What? If Rosalie doesn’t want him, maybe I will.”
“So, he’s a great guy.” Maeve is way too excited. “He just joined the fire department.”
“Wait, are you talking about Clint?” Sarah interrupts.
“Yep.” Maeve nods, turning her attention back on me. “And he owns his own construction business. Single dad to a boy just a little younger than Edward.” She lifts her brows. “He has all his hair, too.”
“Now, that’s impressive.” Asher nods.
“I haven’t dated since Edward’s father,” I admit.
Maeve’s stare is filled with sincerity. “You deserve to find happiness in a partner again.”
“And to get laid,” Asher deadpans. Maeve shoots him a glare. “What? That’s important, too.”
“I get it.” Sarah joins Maeve’s side, a plate of food in one hand. “I didn’t think I’d ever want to look at another man after my ex and I split.”
Maeve continues. “Listen, normally, I wouldn’t be so pushy, but he’s an actual catch. I talked you up big time and he’s excited to meet you.”
My jaw falls open. “You already told him about me?”
“Yeah, last night. He and his son joined us for dinner. They just finished a day of house hunting. Did I tell you he’s relocating, and Wilder Valley is at the top of his list?”
Maeve is insistent when she wants something, and I can tell she’s not going to let this go.
“I don’t know.” The idea of dating causes a rush of anxiety. But if Jackson can move on so easily, maybe I should, too. Am I really going to go my entire life without another relationship? “I’ll have to arrange for a sitter.”
Maeve rolls her eyes. “Are you kidding? Drop him by anytime. Besides, Ari’s been bugging me for a playdate.”
I hesitate, because there really is no rational reason to refuse.
“One date. That’s all.” Maeve steeples her hands.
“If you don’t take it, I will,” Bernadette says.
“One date?” I swallow the bad taste in my mouth.
“One teensy little date. And if you don’t have fun, you never have to see him again.”
“Didn’t you say he’s moving here?” Jamie eyes Maeve with suspicion.
