“Oh.” Her face falls, and she stomps away.
“Someone has a crush. So adorable,” Piper notes, with her hands on her chest in admiration.
Spencer and I look at one another, thankful we are not yet near the teenage years.
“We should keep an eye on that, right?” I question.
Spencer gives me a cartoonish look. “Don’t remind me.”
April arrives with a cloth bag full of food. Handing it to me, I’m quick to notice she went overboard, including a bag of salad.
“This is way too kind.” I take the tote.
“Nah, it’s fine. Besides, I expect a full report later in the week or maybe I will have my dogaccidentallystroll into your yard, and oops, I need to go rescue him. Would seven be an ideal time for that?” she jokes.
I have to smile at her humor, and I’m thankful that I have such great neighbors. We look out for one another.
“Thank you. I don’t mean to dash already, but I really just wanted to say congrats in person real quick.” I open my arms to hug April, then Spencer gets a side hug.
A quick round of goodbyes, but, of course, Hudson has to be the last to give me the older-and-wiser advice that he loves to dish out.
“Opportunity is what we make of it. Grab it when you can and don’t let go.” His advice isn’t new, but I appreciate him reminding us when he can.
“I have no intention of letting it go,” I promise.
* * *
Returning to my house,I put everything away for later then throw on my swim trunks before I head out back to find Brielle lying on a lounger beside the pool in a black bikini and sunhat as she reads a massive book with a highlighter in hand. She is giving studying a whirl, I guess.
I’ve seen her in a bikini a few times over the years, but now I’m allowed to look and fantasize without guilt, and I love that.
“Ditched the air conditioner and my hoodie?” I say as I whip off my t-shirt.
She glances up from the book and smiles. “Really? Yet again, you feel a shirt isn’t necessary?” I have to grin because she’s calling me out. “Illinois summer is good to us this year, so I’m going to enjoy this eighty-five-degree no-wind weather. We know winter is coming at some point. I thought I would try to study, but I haven’t made a dent.”
I sit on the lounger next to her. “Good, you should relax. My sister sent me some photos of Connor today at camp.” I pull out my phone and swipe the screen to show Brielle, who instantly smiles wide.
“He’s a cutie.” Connor is wearing skates and is holding his hockey stick as he waits for his turn to hit between the orange cones. “Growing so fast.”
“Yeah, he is.”
We look at one another with affection, as there is never a moment that we don’t look elated when discussing our boy.
I decide to put my phone to the side so we can focus on each other. We can be selfish and not focus on gushing the praises of our son for one afternoon. Today is about us.
“So, how about at six we have dinner?” I suggest.
Brielle closes her book. “What’s on the menu?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“You’re cooking?”
“Kind of.” Half the truth. I’m turning the oven on at least.
She nibbles her bottom lip, trying not to smile, but I can tell that she’s happy. “Okay.”
“Shall I go grab more wine?”
