She nods her head. “I have so many friends.”
“Like who?”
“Like Poppy and Ava. And now RJ”
Tanner smiles. “Huh. Those are some great friends to have.”
“That’s who I named the sheep after.” Winnie shrugs.
“Who did you name the sheep after?” Lauren pops down the stairs with her hair up in a towel.
“Her friends at camp. Poppy and Ava.”
“Riley and Bernie’s daughters.” Rhett adds and Lauren’s eyebrows pop up.
“Best named sheep this side of the state.” Tanner winks at Winnie.
“What’s the plan for dinner?” Lauren starts unloading the grocery bags, eyeing tanner. “Is it just going to be us?”
“I’m happy to cook.” He shrugs.
“Winnie and I should probably head back.”
“Mommy.” Winnie stretches the word out.
“YeahMommy.” Tanner teases, the smirk on his face knows he’s going to get hit for saying it too.
“I’ll cook,” Rhett offers. “You guys go out back and clear out of the kitchen.”
“Alright. Winnie and I have to practice our spiral anyway.” Tanner shrugs as if he has no other option.
“Finally,” she sighs exasperatedly.
“What is going on? How did we just get swindled intostaying? And what do you mean you have to practice your spiral?”
“She has football day coming up at camp. I'm teaching her how to throw the perfect spiral.” Tanner says casually and heads for the back door. “And, well, you’ve beenvery busy,and we haven’t had time to practice.”
The door shuts and Lauren spins to me.
“So. What were you two arguing about?” she asks.
“Nothing.”
“That’s not true.”
“It’s not true. But it’s also not important.”
“Somehow I feel like maybe it is.”
“He just accused me of avoiding him.”
“And have you been avoiding him?”
I open the back door, and we step out onto the deck, finding our seat on the top step. Winnie picks up the weather faded football from under a tree.
“Yes,” I admit.
“Now that, that’s the truth.” Lauren pats my knee like she’s proud of my sudden choice on honesty. “What else?”
