Page 77 of Never Really Over

Me:I’m blocking you.

Dalton:You’re no fun.

Me:That’s not what Colt said.

I smile, knowing that I just surprised Dalton by even saying that, even if it wasn’t much.

Dalton:I KNEW IT! I’m thinking an early summer wedding on his farm. I’ll wear a navy blue suit because then it’ll bring out the color of my eyes. I’ll even carry a bouquet if you want me to. Of course, my kid will be in the wedding, too, but so will Poppy. If Bridget and I aren’t married yet, which would suck, we can just make it a double wedding and you can be my best woman.

Me:Back to blocking you.

Dalton:You will do no such thing. Just tell me how tonight goes. I won’t keep giving you shit about it, I promise. You know I only want the best for you, and it seems the big guy is it.

Me:Thanks, D. I’ll let you know. I won’t even ask how you knew about tonight.

Dalton:From the big guy, of course. He and I are practically besties now, too. Don’t worry, though, my little pumpkin, you aren’t being replaced.

That makes me laugh. He’s the most ridiculous man I’ve ever met. At one point, I hated him for contributing to Jasper’s cheating ways, but then I realized he did me a favor and we became friends once again. Since we’ve been home, especially, we’ve gotten even closer. It’s hard coming back to a place where people once knew you well but now you’re basically a stranger. So much is the same, but so much is different. We navigated those waters together. He’s also been so good at helping with my mom.

And yes, he managed to talk Stan into hiring him, so not only are we friends, we’re once again co-workers.

I showered this morning so I only need to freshen up before going to Colt’s. He told me not to bring anything but my mom trained me never to show up empty-handed, so I grab the container of monster cookies I made this morning and stack it with the rest of my things.

Mom’s pretty much fully recovered, which means my anxiety level has decreased exponentially. And Stan is coming to visit this coming weekend, which will be wonderful to see him.

Next I just need to find a place to call my own. Eventually, anyway. I’m actually pretty happy living here with Mom, and she’s made it clear she’s in no hurry for me to move out. Sure, it’s a little weird to live with my mom in my thirties, but it was necessary when I moved back home and now it’s such a blessing.

“What time are you going to Colt’s?” Mom asks, popping her head into the bathroom while I’m applying a bit of makeup.

“Pretty soon. You can join us, you know. He’d like to see you.”

Her eyes grow a little sad. “Not tonight.”

I set down my eyeshadow brush and turn to face her. “Mom, he doesn’t blame you.”

“He should,” she says quietly. “If I wasn’t there…”

I grab her shoulders and look her right in the eyes. “Stop it right now. He understands why you feel that guilt, but he also said it’s misplaced. You’re coming with me tonight. You’ll see that he doesn’t hold anger toward you. Plus, I think you need to see that Poppy is doing amazing with him.”

“I’m not interrupting your date.”

I scoff. “It’s hardly a date, Mom. He asked me to dinner because we have a lot to talk over, and honestly, that probably includes the accident. It’s settled, understand?”

She looks worried but finally agrees and heads to her bedroom to get ready.

I pick up my phone and shoot off a quick text to make sure it’s okay with Colt that my mom joins us.

Me:Hey. Feel free to say no, but I wondered if it’d be okay if Mom joined us tonight?

Colt:Yup. Totally fine.

Me:You sure?

Colt:Wouldn’t have said yes if I wasn’t sure.

Me:Thank you. I think she needs to see you.

Colt:Still feeling guilty, huh?

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