I also hoped I’d see him today. We hadn’t made any plans, but he had put my number in his phone before leaving last night. Maybe he’d call.
In the meantime, I didn’t want to sit around doing nothing, since that would just mean more time spent fretting over him. Instead, I researched some of my ideas for their market stand and displays, then drove to the nearest craft store for materials. I hit the grocery store too, buying fresh items for the next few days. When I saw the potatoes, I wondered again about baking them twice and made a mental note to look that up. Maybe I could take a cooking class or something—that would be getting out of my comfort zone for sure.
Learn to cook. Start riding again. I started a mental list of things I could do to change up my life, be happier and more fulfilled. Stop obsessing over my thirtieth birthday. Get involved with the food justice movement.
After a peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch, I spent the early part of the afternoon working on the display projects and mulling over possible solutions for Pete and Georgia’s cash flow problem. A small business loan maybe? But I knew next to nothing about the loan process since I’d never needed to take one out.
I was printing a price list on a chalkboard when my cell phone buzzed with a text. Hey you. It’s Jack. Want to meet Cooper and me at the park?
I picked up the phone, grinning at it like a goofball. Sure. What time?
Twenty minutes?
That was perfect—I’d have time to finish what I was doing first. See you then!
I set the phone down and hummed a tune as I completed the list, then held it out to make sure the writing was even and legible. When I was satisfied, I quickly put everything away, used the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and touched up my makeup. At the last minute, I decided to wipe off the lipstick I’d applied and put on some honey lip balm instead. It looked more natural and tasted better.
As I walked to the park, my feet felt a hundred times lighter than they had this morning. Nothing had changed since then, but just the prospect of seeing him was enough to excite me. And when he came into view, standing behind Cooper, pushing him on a swing, the butterflies in my stomach multiplied. This feeling, I thought as I crossed the playground toward him. I don’t want to lose it.
He looked up as I approached and the smile he gave me turned my legs to jelly. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Didn’t you come from the cottage?”
I cringed. “Yes, but I walked one block too far, so I came from the other side. I wasn’t paying attention.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “It’s like three blocks away. Only you could screw that up.”
“I know, I know.” I’d let him tease me as much as he wanted as long as I could stand there watching him push his nephew on that swing. His fitted black t-shirt showed off his arms and chest, the tight jeans hugged him in all the right places, and his aviator sunglasses worn without the usual hat made him look a little more polished, a little more military. It did things to me. In the panties.
“Did you hear about the house?” I asked.
He harrumphed and mumbled.
“I take it that’s a yes.”
“I heard about it. They’ve got some crazy idea about running a motel there?”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, Jesus. It’s not a motel, Jack, it’s a bed and breakfast.”
“Whatever. I won’t stand in their way, but there’s no way they’ll come up with the money they need.”
“That’s what Georgia said. Could they get a small business loan or something?”
“I guess they can try.” He didn’t sound too hopeful.
“I wish there was a way I could help,” I said wistfully. How terrible to have your dream within reach and not be able to afford it. I’d been so spoiled my entire life. Not that I’d spent frivolously or irresponsibly, I hadn’t—but I also didn’t know what it was like to go without something I really wanted because I couldn’t afford it.
“That’s nice of you, but they’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it out.”
“So you have Cooper tonight?” I ruffled the little boy’s hair as he swung near me.
“Yeah. Pete and Georgia are both working.”
“What will you do with him?”
“Feed him ice cream for dinner, buy him a bunch of candy, let him watch a bunch of TV until he falls asleep.” He smiled at me. “The usual uncle stuff.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Want to join us?”
My heart stuttered. “Sure. I’d love to.”