Page 28 of Never Really Over

He dips a corn chip directly into the jar and takes a bite. “What’s new, Suzie Q?”

“What’s up with all the names today?” I counter, eating some chips, too.

“Layla was about to tell me her news.”

“What news?”

“I was about to tellMommy news, not you.”

“Rude! I wanna know, too. As your self-declared bestie—”

“Not my bestie and don’t say that word, either. You’re not a thirteen-year-old girl.”

“As yourbestie,I demand you tell me what’s up. I need to know.”

Insufferable, pushy, nosy… those are all good pet names for Dalton.

Ever since he and Bridget decided to move back to Hollow Grove, he’s been a completely different person. He’s almost giddy on a regular basis. Maybe he wasn’t quite as happy living in a city as he thought he was, either. There have been only a few days where he hasn’t stopped by at some time in the day to check on Mom. He’s gone grocery shopping for us. Mows the yard when I can’t get to it. And that one was a big deal because Dalton is — or wasn’t, anyway — the type of guy to do yard work.

Bridget has been wonderful, too. Making meals for us, which are questionable at best, or baking something, bringing over wine and sitting outside with me to chat, taught me a couple new card games, and introduced me to some of her favorite books.

Mom’s flower garden was getting out of control and Bridget stepped in and has been making sure it’s weeded. I cannot imagine either of them ever returning to living in any city. Hollow Grove suits them perfectly.

“I had a meeting with Stan today and he offered me a job.”

“Stan, your boss? Didn’t he already give you a job?”

“Yes, Stan, my boss. He’s going to start his own company and asked me to come on board with him.”

“Isn’t he like… a little old to be starting a company?”

“You bite your tongue, Dalton Bradley. Stan is not old. He’s only a couple years older than I am!” my mom says, completely outraged.

Dalton holds up his hands and smiles. “My bad. Sorry, Ms. Maureen. Didn’t mean anything by it.”

She tosses a grape at him. He catches it against his chest and throws it in his mouth.

“He was planning to retire in a few years, actually, but I think he wants the challenge and you know as well as I do that he can do it.”

“Does he need another person?”

“Why? You looking?”

“Well, my employer wasn’t as keen about me working from here as I expected so… yeah, actually.”

I shrug and keep eating. “I’m sure he’d be willing to talk to you. But, I have to tell you. His daughter Hailey is going to be our assistant.”

He rubs the back of his neck and his cheeks get a little red. “That could be a problem.”

“Uh oh. Was she one of your many?” Mom asks, amused.

“I wouldn’t say many…” he hedges. He sighs. “Yes. But she’s happily married now.” He looks at me sharply. “Right?”

I give him a bright smile. “Right. She couldn’t care less about you.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Anytime. Bestie.”

---