Page 16 of Forgotten Romance

“I guess I did gay men everywhere a favor by divorcing him, then,” I say, trying to keep the bitter tone out.

Mom presses her lips tight, and I know she wants to call me an idiot again, but ever since I reminded her that I’m the one she gave birth to, she’s switched tactics. No more putting me down. A whole lot of talking Mack up.

“I’m just saying,” she tsks. “He’s a beautiful man. Bakes cookies with the kids every week before he comes to visit.”

“I know.” I might be gone a lot, but I’m still very present in their lives. “And I also know the cookies taste like pure sugar and you throw them out when he leaves.”

“We would never waste them like that.” She checks the tea and mutters, “Not while we have hungry chickens out back.”

I watch while she pours out tea, debating whether I should even bother bringing up Luke. It’s dangerous territory, and I’m risking being snapped by the towel again, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the guy for the past few days.

He was friendly. Too friendly. I mean, what new guy doesn’t at least throw the tiniest bit of shade at the ex?

I know there’s no way I’ll be able to leave here without mining for information on him, and I have to pick Mack up in half an hour.

“Do you know someone called Luke Dawson?”

She frowns as she thinks. “Dawson … Not Sharon’s boy?”

I shake my head. “He’s new in town.”

“How old?”

“Ah …” I have no idea, but he didn’t look that much younger than us. “Mid to late thirties, I’d guess.”

Her gaze sharpens on me. “Did you meet him through this app of yours?”

Here we go again. When Mack and I first got divorced, I thought the fastest way to move on would be to start meeting with other people. There wasn’t a single one of them who could measure up to him, and that idea died quickly.

Mom huffs. “You know I bite my tongue, but why would you look at dating someone else from town when you have Mack, right here, who’d take you back the second you gave up work?”

Well, on top of Luke being a pain in my ass, that plain pisses me off. “You know, most parents are proud of their kids for building a successful career.”

“I’m nearing the end of my life?—”

“You’re seventy. Stop with the guilt trip.”

“I’m only saying, I know what’s important and what isn’t.” She points toward the back door. “Those two out there are important.”

“Plenty of people don’t have kids and are happy.”

“Of course they are. They don’t have to have frustrating conversations with dumbass children.”

I pin her with a look. “I think we can move on now.”

“Fletcher?” Mom yells.

A couple of seconds later, Dad pops his head in the back door. “Yes, honey?”

“You’re needed.”

Dad kicks off his boots and walks inside, throwing his thick jacket down on the back of the couch. “We’re shoveling pig shit. What is it?”

“You do know Kiera and Van have to get back in my car, right?”

Dad looks completely unbothered.

Mom sighs. “Davey is asking about a boy.”

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