Hallie: As always, your secrets are safe with me.
Ace: As are yours. I’m looking forward to seeing you, CL.
Hallie: Me too. And those initials are also banned.
I’m looking forward to seeing him too much. But that’s another story, and nothing I’m going to say to him.
I knock on my mom’s bedroom door.
“Come in!” Mom’s changing out of her T-shirt that says#1Fan.Henry Cavill’s sprawled out on her bed like a massive pile of extra-thick yarn. He sits up and pants in my direction. I fluff the hair on his head. “You’re a good boy, Henry.”
“You’re confusing him,” Mom says. “He doesn’t know if his name is Daddy or Henry.”
“Well, maybe you’re confusing him since it’s Henry.”
She scoffs at me. “When did you stop being fun?”
“Was I ever fun?”
“You were so fun. Silly almost. A lot like Mia.” Her face turns solemn. “You’ve got a lot on your shoulders being both mom and dad to Mia. And you do it all with such grace. I’m in constant awe of you, my sweet girl.”
She pauses and smiles over at me.
“But sometimes you give too much away.” Her lips thin and her eyes soften. “Keep a little for yourself. Danny already took too much. Don’t let him steal your joy.”
A tear slips out. “You’re dangerous. You know that?”
“Oh, I know. I should be registered with the government.”
I laugh through my tears. “I love you, Mom.”
“Well, I love you too, Hallie. But of course you know that.”
“I do.” I clear my throat. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you I have plans tonight after Mia’s in bed. You didn’t mention a date, so I’m assuming you’re home.”
“I’m home. I’m going to watch some show set in Montana.”
“That’s random. Why?”
“Well, that man next door and I came to an agreement. We have to share custody of the TV signal until we get this remote situation worked out. Every other morning I get to watch my game shows and then on alternating days, he gets theTodayshow. It’s not so bad. Turns out, I like the variety. We decided we’ll occasionally watch the same thing at the same time. We take turns picking.”
“You do, huh?” My voice drips with teasing mischief.
“Oh, please!” She shakes her head, but her cheeks go pink. “He’s not my type. And can you imagine dating your next-door neighbor? Talk about a recipe for disaster. No. Jonathan is strictly off-limits.”
“I see.”
“Hallie Elizabeth Caldwell Collins. You stop messing with an old woman.”
“I thought you weren’t old.”
“I’m not.”
“Until it serves you.”
“Exactly. Now who are you going out with? And don’t give me thisfriendbusiness. I’ve been around the block too many times to fall for that line.”
“A man.”
