“It’s not like I could leave town if I wanted to right now anyway,” I add, trying to lighten the tension.
“Is that the only reason you agreed to come back? Because your van’s in the shop?”
“No,” I respond flippantly. “I said yes because I have to.”
This causes a furrow to crease his brow. “Youhaveto?”
“I had a bit of a…health scare a while back,” I explain, not wanting to go into too much detail.
Not wanting him to put the pieces together.
“Is that the reason for the scar?” He glances at my chest.
I give him a subtle nod. “I’m fine now. Perfectly healthy. But it made me put things into perspective. I used to work sixty, seventy, even eighty hours a week.”
“What did you do?”
“I was a lawyer.”
“Wow. I did not expect that. Not that I don’t think you’re brilliant. I just don’t know many lawyers who are…fun.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” I wink, taking a sip of wine. “I thought success equaled happiness. I routinely turned down fun opportunities because of work. So after my health scare, I quit my job, bought my van, and decided to live life to its fullest, starting with having a ‘Year of Yes’.”
“And you just say yes to everything?”
I open and close my mouth several times, trying to figure out a way to explain this. “There are some limitations. Nothing illegal, of course. Also, nothing that could result in a long-term commitment. Whatever it is has to enrich my life, not diminish it. Some days the yes issomething big, like potentially nannying for a grumpy, stubborn single dad.”
I flash him a smile, and he chuckles, the laugh lines around his eyes crinkling.
“Other days, they’re small things. Like saying yes to sunrise yoga. Or having pizza and wine with my boss.” I lift the glass. “I started it as an extension of my life list.”
“Life list?” He arches a brow.
“After my health scare, I made a list of all the things I once took for granted but never will again. Like watching the sunrise in the morning. Or a really good cup of coffee. The more things I say yes to, the more experiences I add to my life list.”
He nods, seeming to process this. “Well, I’m glad you’re here, even if it’s only because you had to say yes.”
“I would have said yes even if I didn’t have to,” I admit. “Then again, I’m not sure I would even be in this town if I hadn’t spent the past several months saying yes. It’s led me on quite an adventure.”
“I’d love to hear all about it,” he replies, taking a sip of his wine as his phone chimes. He pulls it from his pocket and looks at the screen. “Pizza’s here.”
“Great.”
“Presley, grab your brother and help him get cleaned up,” he calls out as he heads toward the front door.
I turn toward the sink and wash my hands. As I’m drying them off, Hayden rounds the corner, carrying two pizza boxes with a few bags placed on top. My stomach immediately rumbles from the delicious aroma filling the room.
“Do you need help with anything?” I ask as he pulls out a few plates.
“Actually, there is something you can do for me.”
“What’s that?”
“Nothing.” He treats me to a gentle smile. “Just sit down.”
I lower myself into the chair I’ve noticed is usually left empty and take a large gulp of wine, needing it to settle the butterflies flapping around my stomach. Thankfully, Presley and Jemmy come in seconds later. I instinctively jump up to help Jemmy into his high chair, but Hayden’s beside me before I can.
“I thought you learned your lesson earlier,” he murmurs as he sets Jemmy into the chair.
