“Number two?!” Mason blurts. “Cora was just born, like, yesterday!”
I don’t say anything, but I’m thinking the exact same thing. Being around Karissa and Emma as much as I have, I can’t even imagine doing it again already. I know Jesse and Ella are married, and Cora’s older than Emma by a few months, but still…it’s hard.
Jesse just shrugs. “She’s six months old. By the time another baby would actually be born, she’d be nearing two.”
“I guess…” Mason says, like even the math doesn’t help their case.
“That’s exciting,” Dad says, leaning forward a little. “When you say you’re talking about it…are you both agreeing? Or disagreeing?”
“Agreeing on the baby, disagreeing on the timing.”
“How’s that?” I ask.
“Well, ideally, I think it would make the most sense to have the baby in spring or early summer,” Jesse explains. “But Ella’s thinking if we plan it that way, she’ll be early pregnant during the season, and she’s not sure about that.”
“Oh.” Dad breathes out, nodding like he gets it.
“What is she…crazy?” I joke.
Jesse holds his hands up. “Hey, her logic, not mine.”
“I say just see what happens,” Mason throws in casually, stretching out his legs.
“Oh, is that your advice?” I lift an eyebrow. “Careful, Mason. That mindset’ll get you in trouble.”
Dad chuckles, pointing a finger. “Famous last words right there. Matter of fact…” He glances over at Jesse. “That’s exactly howyouhappened.”
Jesse groans. “Seriously?”
We all bust out laughing, and Dad just shrugs, proud as ever before looking toward Mason next. “And you? How’s the job?”
Mason shrugs, eyes still on the water. “Fine.”
“Uh-uh,” Dad says. “Try again.”
Mason lets out a slow sigh. “I don’t know. Most days it’s good. Some days it feels like too much. Like all I do is see the worst parts of people.”
Dad nods slowly, processing. “Yeah, I’m sure. You seeing anyone? Talking to anyone?”
Mason lets out a breath. “Nope.”
“She’s out there,” Dad assures him. “Keep looking.”
Mason shrugs again. “Yeah. Thought I’d have found her by now. I don’t know.”
“You’re not behind,” Dad says, voice solid. “Can’t rush it and you don’t just want to settle either.”
Mason gives him a nod but doesn’t say anything else. The look on his face says enough. He’s heard that a thousand times and he’s tired of it.
Dad’s eyes land on me then. “And what about you? You’ve been playing stepdad for a few weeks now, trying not to look too attached, when we all know you are.”
Jesse and Mason smirk but stay quiet.
I shake my head. “There’s nothing going on.”
Dad raises a brow. “Right…”
I glance down at the rod in my hands. “I mean, she gave me something this morning…kind of a Father’s Day card, but not.”
