He spins around on the stool, smiling broadly. He’s attractive in a sun-kissed Southern California average-man way, and his resting face is a closed-mouth smile. The guy is just happy to breathe.
“Dani, oh my god! You’re even more beautiful.”
He was always good with compliments. I’m blushing. “Thank you.”
He stands up, throws his arms out, and scoops me into a bear hug. “It’s good to see you. I’m so glad you texted!” he says.
All the butterflies are coming back. “It’s good to see you too.”
“Sit, sit. What do you want? I’ll wave her over,” he says, gesturing toward the bartender. I’m contemplating what to drink. “Still a margarita girl?” he asks.
He remembered. In this moment, I want nothing more than to be that young margarita girl. “That sounds great!” I say.
We get our drinks and settle in. He orders appetizers, and just like when we were young, we fall into a light, fun, playful but somehow still intimate conversation. We talk about everything, even the serious stuff, but we both find a way to spin it toward a positive light. That’s what I remember about Jacob. He’s always happy, smiling…hopeful. I’m starting to get tipsy,and even though I’m working from the apartment tomorrow, I realize I still have to drive all the way back there tonight.
The sun has officially gone down. I’m on my third drink and decide to leave my car and take an Uber back to the apartment.
“Remember going to Hollywood on Saturday nights? All the bars on Sunset? We had a blast.”
“Yes, yes! I remember! Remember that girl who followed us for three blocks because she thought you were Ethan Hawke? That was hilarious!”
The laughing dies down. There’s finally a hitch in the chatter, but unlike with Alex, it’s not because one of us is mad or offended, it’s because I think we both realize how much we are enjoying each other.
“Did you plan on driving home tonight? I’m gonna order another drink—do you want one?”
“I was going to Uber home.”
“Great.” He gestures toward the bartender. “Two more, please, thanks.”
“How areyougetting home?” I ask.
“I live three blocks away.”
“Well, I picked the right spot, then, didn’t I?” The giddiness is gone. There’s a subtle seriousness in the atmosphere.
“I wasn’t lying when I said you’re more beautiful now.” PDA is not my thing, but I can feel myself leaning toward him. He touches his thumb to my bottom lip. “Pretty lips,” he says. “Beautiful.” My mouth is just slightly open, there is so much going on in my body right now that I can barely breathe.
“You look really good too,” I say, clearly out of breath.
He smiles and then leans in and kisses me softly. “Stay with me tonight,” he whispers near my ear.
“Okay.”
19
you’re over me
Alexander
It’s Wednesday. I never thought I’d say this, but Dani was right. I didn’t know what it was like to juggle work, the kids, and the household on my own. I’m exhausted once again and ready to swap, but the boys are playing their first game of the season and I’m not missing it. I texted Dani earlier, letting her know I’d get them from school and bring them to the game, and we could just switch there.
Noah is sitting on the bench with a sling on and I still feel terrible, but the boys and I had a good few days. I managed to devise a system at work where I put all my patients back-to-back in the mornings right after I drop off the boys. Kate actually came up with the plan and organized the appointments for me. It’s intense not taking a break for several hours, but by two-thirty, I’m out of there. I go pick up the boys and bring them back to the clinic for a couple of hours. They do their homework while I wrap up patient notes and the clerical business I would normally sprinkle throughout the day.
I miss Jenna and how well we worked together—she could basically read my mind. But Kate is being a superstar and picking up the job quickly. She’s punctual, nice to the clients and staff, bright and professional. She’s also levelheaded. Nothing seems to bother her. Things definitely feel like they’re looking up for me in my transition to part-time single parent, but there’s no question that it was a rocky adjustment.
It’s already the seventh inning and I’m surprised Danielle is not here. She never misses games, but she did mention she had to go to the studio today and check out the new offices.
Finally, in the bottom of the eighth, I see her coming down the ramp toward the baseball field. Her hair is back to dark brown. She seems chipper, not overtly so, but there’s a little bounce in her step.
