"I try."
I focus the camera, but my mind keeps drifting. I shoot the waffles, but Gabe's voice slips in between the shutters. I shoot the eggs, but I keep thinking about him listening to Jace like every word mattered.
I have to blink hard to refocus.
Tara peeks over my shoulder. "These look amazing," she says.
"Good," I answer. "You'll get the full batch by tonight."
Two hours pass before I even check the time again. When I finish packing up, Tara hands me a free muffin for Jace. I take it with a thank you and head back to the car.
My stomach growls. I decide to stop by the small grocery store near my building to grab a few things. The aisles are quiet, which should be relaxing, but it is not. I toss yogurt cups and a loaf of bread into the basket. When I reach for a jar of sauce, a voice behind me cuts through the aisle.
"Well, well. Look who finally has free time."
I turn. Tom stands there with a basket full of protein bars and smugness. His eyes skim down my body in a way that makes me instantly annoyed.
"Hi," I say, keeping my tone flat. "I'm busy, so if you?—"
He steps closer. "You look better today. The other night, you were in some mood."
"I was tired," I answer. "And not interested."
He smiles like he thinks he is charming. "You know, you could at least pretend to be polite. I tried to take you out. I tried to make it work. Most women would be grateful."
My jaw tightens. "I'm not most women, Tom."
"Right," he says. "You're a single mom with no time for anything fun. I get it. But you don't have to throw attitude around. There are men who will overlook all that, you know."
I stare at him. "Overlook what?"
He lifts a shoulder. "The kid. The weight. The schedule. I mean, I'm just being honest. You're not exactly easy to date."
Heat crawls up my neck. "You're right," I say, forcing my voice steady. "I'm not easy to date. Because I don't tolerate disrespect. Or selfishness. Or men who think they are doing me a favor by showing up. I liked you at first, but you keep talking like you're above me. That's the real problem here."
His smile drops. "You're overreacting."
"No," I say. "I'm finally reacting."
He huffs. "Whatever. This isn't over."
"It is for me," I answer. "Move."
He blinks like he is waiting for me to back down. I do not. I push past him and head straight for the checkout. My hands shake a little as I pay for the groceries, but the relief hits fast. He is out of my life. He can stay there.
By the time preschool ends, I feel calmer. Jace runs to me the second he spots me.
"Mama, I drew a dinosaur," he says, waving a folded paper. "He has big teeth."
"I can't wait to see," I say, taking his hand.
He chatters the whole walk to the car. I listen, grateful for the noise that drowns out everything else.
At home, I unlock the door and let him run inside. He drops his backpack on the floor and goes straight to his toys.
"Snacks?" he calls.
"Coming," I answer.
