“They’re warm.”
“Doesn’t make them less cute.”
“Well, if you had central air and heat, I wouldn’t be so cold.” She sticks her tongue out at me.
“It’s never been an issue until now. I’m hardly ever home, and the fireplaces and window units are usually enough.” But you bet that’s going to change in the future. I want my house to be comfortable for her.
“I’m only giving you a hard time. Let’s get the dishes cleaned up.” She moves to the hallway, and I follow her. She stops in her tracks. “Alice, no.”
I lean over to see why she’s yelling at the pup. Alice is licking the plates. “Hopefully, there isn’t anything on there that will make her sick.”
“If only you knew the things we’ve walked in on her eating. She thinks she’s being sneaky, but gets caught every time.” Callie shakes her head and hurries to the coffee table to grab the plates.
Luckily, Alice didn’t knock over the candles. I didn’t think to blow them out before we left the room. I blow them out and turn on the lights. Cleanup will be easier if we can see everything.
We’re finishing up the dishes when the door to the mudroom opens. “I’m home.” Lexi yells louder than necessary.
“We see that.” Callie laughs. “There’s a slice of cheesecake for you in the fridge.”
“You do love me.”
“That’s all Peter. He’s the one who got it for you. Did you have fun with Abby?”
“Yes!” She goes to the fridge to get her dessert, and when she turns around Callie is leaning against me with her arm around my waist.
“My plan worked.” She throws a hand in the air.
“I knew there was a reason you wanted to go to a friend’s house on a school night.” Callie sighs.
“A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. Besides, you deserve to be happy.”
Maybe her being friends with Eric’s kid isn’t such a great idea. She’ll be running around trying to play matchmaker, too. Though, I’m glad she thinks I make her mom happy. Now I need to make sure I keep it up. And figure out how to tell Miles I’m dating his little sister.
Twenty-Two
Callie
Last night was amazing. Peter showed me appreciation I’ve never experienced. Conrad did nothing like that when we were married. Hell, he didn’t even do it when we first started dating.
Everything Peter did last night truly felt like princess treatment. Like I was the only person who mattered. I can’t stop thinking about the way his hands felt on my body. I wasn’t lying when I said I had fantasized about it for years.
“You are smiley this morning, Mom.” Lexi says as she comes into my room. “I’m guessing date night was good.”
“Yes. But you realize you probably shouldn’t be setting your parent up with dates, right? This isn’t a movie.” I finish curling one last strand of hair. It’s going to take a while to get used to having to get up and get ready.
“I want you to be happy.” She shrugs and sets her backpack on the floor before climbing on the bed. “If I have to make sure it happens, then I will.”
I turn off my curling iron and set it on the dresser before taking a seat on the bed next to my daughter. “Are you sure you’re okay with me and Peter dating? I don’t want to do anything that will make you uncomfortable. You are and will always be my main priority.”
She turns toward me and grabs my hands. “Mom, I mean this with all the love in my heart. Do not make dating decisions based on me. I know Dad was shitty. I heard the arguments and him coming in really late when you thought I was asleep. His side of the family has always treated you differently and made things hard on us when you got a divorce. You deserve to feel special, and be with someone who shows it.”
My eyes tear up, and I pull my hands out of hers to wave away the moisture. It’s too early in the morning for her to make me cry. “When did you become so wise?”
“I’ve always been this way.” Her smile is cocky and I’m glad she’s so sure of herself. “Hurry up before you’re late to work. You can’t make a bad impression on your second day.”
Oh, how the tables have turned. It’s usually her I’m dragging out of bed to get to school. “Okay. I just need to grab my shoes.”
“I’ll wait in the kitchen.” She slides off the bed and grabs her backpack before heading out of the room. She’s so grown-up. I have no clue how I’m going to handle it when she goes off to college or whatever her next adventure will be. She’s right, though. I need to start living for me.
