Page 66 of When We Were Young

“You could. It would be fun.”

“It’s a date.” She grins, then taps her notebook with her pen. “Okay, now let’s get back to my report.”

The interview continues through the rest of our pedicure, while Georgie catches up with the latest small-town gossip from Ruthie. When the pedicure is almost over, Layla closes her notebook and smiles.

“I think that’ll do it. If I have more questions, I’ll call you or come over. Okay?”

“Uh, sure. Just let me know. You know, we should have a day where you and Simon hang out and play together. Maybe⁠—”

“Ooh! Yes, he could come to my farm! I could show him my chickens.”

I laugh at that. I’m not sure how Simon will feel about the chicken part, but she’s probably correct that it should be at her house, so they have more space to play.

“How about I call your mom to talk about it?”

“Sounds good to me,” Layla answers.

Georgie leans forward and looks around Layla.

“What are you doing the rest of the day?”

“Well, I’ve got a hot date with a dumpster and a bunch of ancient parquet flooring. Then I’ll probably shower and fall asleep reading.”

“Yuck. Do you want help?”

I love that she offers, but I’d prefer just me, my audiobook, and the satisfaction of accomplishing another task that brings me closer to opening my doors. In a place I own. A place no one can take from me.

A few minutes later, our toes are polished, and we head back to my place. It’s almost time for me to pick Simon up from day camp, but I can probably get a few more minutes of work in before I need to leave.

When they’ve dropped me off and pull away, it hits me how generously these wonderful people have accepted me into their friend group. It makes me think of losing Sylvia and Tyler.

Sylvia would have loved today, and she would adore Layla. I’m beyond certain she would have given Ruthie a run for her money, and they’d likely have become fast friends.

Screw the floor.

I grab my keys and head out back to hop into the car. I need to see him, my boy, and my reminder of Sylvia, Simon. Even if I have to wait for a while for him to get out of camp, at least I’ll be close.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Holden

“Me again! Me again!” Layla chants as I settle Lena on the side of the pool to wait for her next go.

Layla bounces in the shallow end of Harrison’s pool while she awaits her turn. The game is simple: the big fish (me) chases the little fish (Layla), and if (when) I catch her, I toss her into the deep ocean. Also known as the other side of the pool.

With my best effort at giving off tough big fish vibes, I chase Layla around the shallow end. After about a minute of the frolicking, Layla, buzzing with excitement as she runs from me, and Lena, cheering from the side of the pool, I catch Layla.

I pick up my spunky niece, and after a few fake outs, I toss her several feet away from me into the water. She giggles gleefully and doggy paddles back to the shallow end to wait for her next turn.

“Me! Me!” Lena calls from the side of the pool. Hayden rises from his seat, where he’s sitting with Lester, to fulfill his role in our game. I notice Lester watching him closely, his facial expression not giving anything away about what he’s thinking.

Lester treats the girls like I’m sure my dad would have if he were still alive. He may be on the quiet side, but each of my brothers and I know if we need some sage advice, we should head over to his hardware store—just a few shops down from Lizette’s place—and Lester will be there to talk through whatever dilemma we present.

Hayden picks Lena up from the side of the pool, and I back up until I’m about five feet away from him. He grasps Lena’s toddler’s waist, and she’s grinning ear to ear while pinching her nose as Hayden swings her back and forth a few times before throwing her to me. When I catch her, we do a controlled dunk, my hands never leaving her, then I get her back up out of the water quickly.

Her giggles are priceless.

After a few more minutes of playing, I’m holding Lena, and Layla suddenly starts paddling to the opposite side of the shallow water and calls out, “Simon! Come play with us. Uncle Holden is the big fish, and he’s chasing us!”