I pull up to a stoplight and sense him turn to look atme. When I glance over, the fiercely protective look on his face makes me want to smile, but I don’t.
“Are you dating my mom?”
How do I respond without crossing the line? Isla should be the one to talk to him, but I don’t want to lie, either. Damn it, this is hard. I think quickly and then hope like hell he accepts my response.
“I want to. I like her a lot. I like you, too,” I add, starting to drive again, now that the light is green. We’re almost to the ice rink now. “More than that, I respect your mom. Which is why she should be the one to talk to you about what’s between us. I’ll say this. I like her, I respect her, and I swear, I’ll do whatever I can to make her happy.”
“Keepmaking her happy.”
I look over quickly again to see the smallest smile on his face.
“I think you’re already making her happy, so if you keep doing that, then we’re cool.”
I pull up in front of Cedar Creek’s outdoor ice rink and put the car in park before turning to face Charlie.
“Good to know. Thanks, Charlie.” I offer up a smile of my own.
“Thanks for the ride, Luca. See ya.”
I watch him climb out of my car and walk up to a couple of boys standing near the benches close to the skate rental shack. Then I draw in a full breath and try to wrap my head around what just transpired.
One thing is for certain. Charlie is way more perceptive than Isla seems to realize. And she’s been avoidingthe conversation about our relationship for no reason, seeing as he’s already figured most of it out.
I pick up my phone and open up my text messages.
LUCA: I know you’re busy wonder woman, but just a heads up. Your kid is smarter than we’ve given him credit for, and he’s figured out we’re dating.
ISLA: WHAT?! Omg. Tell me you’re joking.
LUCA: Sorry, I’m not. He just gave me the talk. Keep my mom happy or else.
ISLA: Oh lord. I’m sorry.
LUCA: For what? Having a son that loves you and has your back? Don’t apologize. He’s a great kid.
ISLA: I’m still not sure about telling everyone else though.
LUCA: I know. I’m not pressuring you. When you’re ready, we’ll go public.
LUCA: But at least you don’t have to worry about how he’ll take it.
ISLA: That’s true. But I do still have to have a talk with him about us. Make sure he’s really okay, and see if he has any questions or worries.
LUCA: Good luck baby. I think it’ll go fine.
28
ISLA
“Deep breaths.You can do hard things,” I whisper under my breath as I wait for Charlie outside the skating rink a couple of hours later. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so shocked when Luca said Charlie had figured out we were dating. He’s a smart kid, intuitive and observant.
Still, I had hoped to check-in with him about the very idea of his mom dating before it actually happened.
Too late for that now.
The passenger door opens, bringing in a gust of cold air and a red-cheeked preteen. “Hey Mom.”
“Hi. How was skating?”
