BRIELLE
Ripping up pieces of lettuce, I occasionally glance at my phone. Lena is on the other end of our video call, soaking in all the details of my whirlwind few days. Her jaw dropped two sentences in, and I think she is still trying to wrap her head around it.
I probably should be too, but it all feels right. “I know it’s crazy, but I feel like Ford maybe has a point and this is now our time.”
Lena closes her mouth, and her head moves in different angles as she tries to form a sentence. “It’s fast. However, I guess… it’s no different to before, just now you upgraded to some serious benefits. I mean, you two were always emotionally there for one another, protective of each other, and now you can openly admit what you’ve been toeing around, plus add the physical aspect. It’s not like you two are strangers. You talk on a daily basis… and have been for ten years.”
I grab my half-filled wine glass to sip my Chardonnay. “Exactly, right? I’m not being irresponsible, am I?” Should I have more doubts?
Lena shakes her head. “Ford? He would kill for you, so no; he would never hurt you. Maybe beingtogethertogetheris different now that you’re older?” Her voice grows squeaky, as even Lena isn’t sure what to question. “Nah, it goes back to what I just said, you’ve both kind of been in a relationship, emotionally unavailable to anyone else, so if the physical aspect feels stellar, then I think you’re good to go.”
“Absolutely no complaints in that department.” I try to keep my face serious, but I can’t control the satisfied smirk that wants to break out. It causes Lena to clap like a penguin in excitement for me. “Anyhow, I’ll be staying here for a few more days, then I need to head back to Hollows. My study group is meeting up again almost every day until the exams.”
“I’m sure Ford can destress you a few times.” She couldn’t help herself and teases me.
I gulp a sip of wine. “Unfortunately, he is staying in Lake Spark and is going to keep Connor here so I can have some quiet.”
Her face softens. “He wants this for you as much as you do.”
“I think so. I’m curious how the man-to-man talk went. I think Connor wants us together. What kid doesn’t want their parents together?”
She shrugs. “You’d be surprised, families come in different shapes. I’m just happy for you.”
“Thanks. I should go, they’ll be home any minute.”
We both say our goodbyes, and I look down at the bowl of salad that is now home to tiny pieces of shredded lettuce because I got carried away daydreaming while prepping the salad.
Ignoring it, I grab the cucumber and begin to cube the vegetable with a knife. Randomly, I begin to wonder if a cucumber is really a fruit. I’m in doubt now and hold the green thing in the air to examine it.
I nearly drop it when I’m startled to feel two hands sneak up and snake around me, squeezing.
“Don’t worry, there is no comparison,” Ford informs me from behind.
Rolling my eyes, I lean back as he wraps his arms around me, enjoying being this way with him. “Is cucumber a vegetable?”
“I have no clue.”
“It’s a fruit,” our son announces as he walks into the kitchen.
Instantly, from habit, I attempt to get Ford to back up, but he doesn’t give in.
Instead, he leans down to whisper in my ear. “He knows.”
Turning quickly in Ford’s arms, my eyes grow big. “And?” I whisper back.
“Why don’t you ask him?” Ford says in a normal tone with a neutral look, yet a hint of joy is there to ease me.
Stepping out of his hold, I walk into the middle of the kitchen with caution. “So, you and your dad talked?”
Our son doesn’t look at me, instead putting something in the freezer before he searches the cupboards for what I can assume is food. “Yeah, no big deal.”
“No big deal?” I’m slightly disappointed. I thought for sure this would be one of the greatest days of his life.
Connor turns to me with a box of Pop-Tarts in his hand.
I take the box from him because he will ruin his dinner. His glance down informs me he knows my logic. “Don’t want to talk about it?”
“It’s cool. Now you guys don’t have to pretend everything is fine when it really wasn’t.”
