Page 5 of Serendipity

“Of course not,” he replies, looking like a big fat liar.

“Well, I’m going to Carissa’s for a while so I won’t be home but that doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all here.”

“No driving home,” Brock reminds me with a grin and wag of his finger.

“I’m well aware of how long I need to wait to get in a car after I’ve been drinking and I won’t do anything stupid,” I promise, three fingers raised like I’m a Boy Scout.

Naomi swallows down the pizza roll she was chewing. “I bet Mr. Stone Montgomery would be happy to pick you up.”

The boys groan and Boone tosses a chip at her. “Shut up,” he grumbles. “That’s freaking gross.”

“It’s not gross. He’s totally hot and hetotallyhas the hots for your mom. Even his name is sexy. Stone Montgomery.” She does a little shimmy on her seat. “Doesn’t it just do something for you, Leah?”

It does. Everything about him does, actually.

“Stop talking,” Brock growls.

A flush rises up on my cheeks and Naomi bursts into giggles. “He doesn’t,” I say with a wave of my hand, “have the hots for me, I mean.” I don’t think I’m lying, either. Sure, Stone and I have become friends but that’s where it ends. We spend a lot of time together and wouldn’t he have made a move by now?

“Umm, Leah, he absolutely does. He asked you for help in the grocery store to pick out a good watermelon. It’s like the oldest pickup line or whatever.”

I shake my head and she winks but thankfully drops the subject when the boys grumble more and clean up their dishes.

“I’m outta here. This isnotthe conversation I want to have before my date,” Boone grouches before stomping off to his room.

Brock follows, calling over his shoulder to Naomi as he goes, “When you’re done grossing me out, come to my room.”

If they were dating, I wouldn’t allow them to be in his room alone, but since they’re unfortunately not, I let it slide. Besides, they keep the door open and that helps.

As soon as they’re out of ear shot, Naomi launches in.

“Seriously, Leah, how can you not see that he’s been trying to ask you out for weeks?”

“If he wanted to, he would have done it already.”

She gives me a look. “Really? You think so? Because you give off a pretty strongI’m not looking to datevibe.”

“Well, that’s good because I’m not looking to date.”

“Is it because you’re not ready?”

I shrug, putting the lid on the Chex mix and snapping it closed tightly. “I haven’t really thought about it. Figured we messed up the kids enough with the divorce, I don’t want to do more damage by dating quite yet. If I bring a man into their lives, I don’t want it to be temporary. It’s not fair to them.”

“I get what you’re saying, but Cash and Corbin Rae are already out of the house and Brock and Boone will be gone soon. It’s not like you’re introducing them as young children, you know?”

I nod and lean my butt against the counter so I’m facing Naomi. “Yeah. I’ve thought about that, too. Part of me isn’t ready, you’re right, but between us? I’m scared out of my mind.”

She cocks her head to the side. “Scared of dating?”

“Well, yes, but of everything that comes with it.” Her eyes widen and her mouth forms an O. I point at her and say, “Exactly.”

It may be odd that Naomi and I can talk about something so personal, but I’ve known the girl since she was in diapers. Her mom and I were close and when she was in Hospice before losing her battle to breast cancer, I made her a promise that I’d always be there for Naomi. Because of this, she and I have grown incredibly close. When she got her period, she came to me. When she considered going on birth control, she came to me. When she didn’t make the school’s dance team, I was the one who held her while she cried. I’m not her parent, her dad is there for that, and I’ve learned that’s not what she wants from me. I’ve also learned that when I’m honest with my kids, open, even, they’re open and honest with me.

She’s quiet when she asks, “Okay, this is awkward for sure, but… was Brett your first?”

I nod.

“Only?”

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