Chapter 22
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.
I get off the bed and grab my shoes from beside the dresser. One last look in the mirror to make sure the wetness in my eyes didn’t ruin my mascara and I’m ready for the day.
When I get to the kitchen, Lexi is staring at something on the table. “What is it?”
“He’s a keeper, Mom.” She points at the soft pink lunchbox sitting in the middle of the table.
There’s a note attached to the box, and I pick it up to read it.
Have a great day at work. I’ll see you when I get home.
There’s that word again…home. It’s wild how much he feels like home even though it hasn’t been long since we’ve reconnected. A girl could get used to this.
Only ten more minutes until I get to leave work for the day.
Alexandra texted me earlier saying she’s getting a ride home from Joan.
That is a weight off my shoulders. At least, for today.
I should probably find out what time the bus runs down our road.
I don’t want to rely on other people to get her home all the time. I feel bad.
It’s the one thing I miss about living in our old neighborhood. Lexi was able to walk to and from school. At least it looks like we already have a community here to help out when needed. The perks of living in a small town where everyone knows you.
I begin the process of shutting everything down and clear off my desk. It doesn’t take long because there’s nothing of my own on it. My bright pink water cup is the only spot of color. Maybe I should ask if I can bring a couple of pictures to put on here. Something to make it my own space.
There are a few things I need to take care of first thing in the morning, and I put those sticky notes on my monitor so I don’t forget. This is probably the most organized space in my life, and it brings me peace knowing I won’t be a mess when I come in tomorrow.
Mrs. Hernandez comes out of her office and glances over my desk. “You can head out now. It’s a good idea to take advantage of the early days while you can. There will be a couple of weeks in the coming months where I’ll need you here later.”
“Oh, okay.” I’m not sure why I’d need to be here later than that.
“It won’t be a lot of extra work. Just making sure people have everything they need for their taxes. We’ll get a rush of people coming in at the last possible second to get their taxes done for the year.”
“That makes sense. People love to procrastinate.”
“Unfortunately. They know it happens at the same time every year, but they are shocked when the deadline approaches. But that’s why they come to me. They know I’ll get them done and help them out as much as I can.”
I love that I have a boss who is confident in their work. Plus, she’s not constantly watching over my shoulder and trusts me to do my job.
“That is something I can understand. My daughter is the queen of procrastination.” I grab my purse out of the bottom drawer of my desk and sling it over my shoulder. “Have a great night.”
“You too.”
My steps are quick as I leave the office and head to my car. I barely have it turned on before my phone rings through my speakers.
I hit answer on my steering wheel as I put my purse in the passenger seat and secure my seatbelt.
“Hey Miles.”
“How’s the job going? I trust Mrs. Hernandez is treating you well.” The wind is loud in the receiver and I wish he’d call me when he’s done with all his responsibilities.
“It’s good. The work is fairly easy and she’s sweet.”
“That’s good.” He grunts as he does something and I’m too afraid to ask what he’s doing. “How are things going at Peter’s? Any word from the plumber?”
Crap. Do I tell him about me and Peter now? I’m not going to tell him we had sex obviously, but does he need to know we’re seeing each other? Probably. I mean he knew every detail about my marriage, there’s no reason not to tell him.
“No word from the plumber. Though, I’m sure he’ll call Peter.” I take a deep breath and let the next words rush out of my mouth. “Peter and I are dating.”
The line is quiet for a while. I know he didn’t disconnect because I can hear ranch sounds. “It’s about time.”
Wait, what? He knew about the crush when we were kids, but I didn’t expect him to be excited about this new label.
“You’re not mad?”
“Why would I be? Two of my favorite people finding happiness. It’s the best thing I could hope for. But I will break his hands if he hurts you.”
I can’t help the laugh that bursts out as I pull out of my parking spot. “I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
“How long has this been going on. I just saw you two days ago.”
“Since last night. He told me how he felt about me after dinner Sunday, but the way he shows up without any prompting is what won me over.”
“Good. As long as he makes you happy, I’m good with it.” There’s a rustling sound before he speaks again. “I was actually coming by his place tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him. Hopefully, he’s making something good for dinner and not feeding you frozen dinners.”
“You realize I’m fully capable of making my own dinners. I’ve been doing it for years.”
“I know, but why not let someone else take care of you for a while. You’ve taken care of other people for so long. It’s your turn.”
That’s exactly what Peter has been doing…since I came back to town.
“If you say so. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, sis.”
I end the call and continue driving toward Peter’s house. Knowing my brother isn’t mad about the two of us dating eases a fear I didn’t realize I had until I blurted out the words.
To my shock, Peter’s truck is already in the driveway when I get there. I was under the impression that he worked late most days. At least, that’s what my brother told me. It’s not a bad thing, I just don’t want him to change everything because we’re dating or living with him for the time being.
Before I’m out of the car, Lexi runs outside in yoga pants and a hoodie. How is she not freezing? “Put on some warmer clothes. You’re going to get sick.”
She waves away my concern. “There’s a surprise inside, but I need to cover your eyes before you go in. We need the full effect.”
We? What have she and Peter done now? I’m never going to survive them if they keep teaming up on things. Though I don’t think he knew Lexi orchestrated the alone time last night until she said something.
“What did the two of you do?” I don’t even know why I asked the question. It’s not like she’s going to tell me.
“You’ll see.” She claps her hands together and jumps. I think it might be from a mixture of excitement and trying to warm up. “Obviously, you can keep your eyes open until we get to the door. But then, my hands go in front of them.”
There’s no use arguing. I hurry to the door if only to keep my child from getting sick since she isn’t displaying any form common sense when it comes to outwear.
As soon as I turn the knob and take a step inside, her hands fly over my eyes. “Can you see anything?”
“Nope. But let me slide my shoes off before we move.”
“Hurry.” Whatever it is she wants to show me must be big because she only shows this much emotion over books and music. I slip my shoes off and wait for further instructions. “Now take small steps straight forward. Then I’ll turn you in the direction you need to go.”
I’m trusting she isn’t going to make me fall flat on my face. That would put a damper on their surprise. I do as she asks and stop after she turns my body to the left.
“You can open your eyes now.” Peter’s voice is right next to me.
Lexi lifts her hands form my eyes and I gasp.
The dinette that was sitting in this space this morning is gone.
In its place is a kitchen table that will fit at least six people.
It makes the dining area look full. Which isn’t a bad thing considering it looked lopsided with that sad little table in the middle.
“What? When? Where did the other table go?” The questions tumble out of my mouth.
Peter laughs and Lexi squeals. “Isn’t it beautiful? No more eating on the floor.”
I move forward and run my hands along the dark brown wood. It fits with the whole log cabin thing he has going on here. It’s brand freaking new.
Peter moves beside and pulls me into a hug. “Do you like it?”
“Yes. But why? It’s not like we’re going to be here forever. You didn’t have to change anything.”
He stares down at me as if I’ve just asked a ridiculous question. “Because it’ll be nice to eat dinner together at a table. The coffee table worked when it was just me. But I see a lot of dinners in our future. Plus, it’s harder for Alice to jump up and try to eat any leftovers.”
“Wait, Alice did what?” Lexi asks.
“Last night when we started cleaning up, we found Alice licking the plates on the coffee table.” I shake my head remembering the sight.
“My dog would never.” Lexi puts her hand over her heart in mock outrage. “Well, I’m going to do homework. You two have fun.”
She rushes out of the room and I have zero doubts she’ll actually be reading a book instead of doing the homework she needs to do.
“Need help cooking dinner?” I look up at Peter.
“Sure.” He leans down and captures my lips with his. I could get used to this sort of welcome. Finally, he breaks the kiss. “Now we can cook dinner.”
Yeah, I’m going to miss this when we can finally go back home.