Page 41 of Mr. Swoony

“I’ll see you inside.”

I hear the door shut behind him, but I stay on the steps, unable not to wonder what people will think.

The door opens back up, and Bodhi comes out, sitting down next to me, and handing me a cookie on a plate. “I see why you like them. They’re yummy.”

“Thanks, buddy.”

I accept the warm cookie and take a bite, Bodhi watching me the entire time. The salty and the sweet flavors mix together, and I swallow.

“I love it. You guys did a great job. I’m jealous. I wish I could bake like this.” I finish the cookie.

He hops up and jumps down the steps one at a time then back up. “Jade says you can’t perfect something the first time. That you have to learn from your mistakes before anything comes out the way you hoped.” He jumps down the last two steps and lands on the sidewalk. “But I think she just wasn’t putting enough glue on my school project when she said that.”

I know it wasn’t easy for Jade to give her heart to Henry again. The scariest steps to take are the ones where you can’t guarantee the outcome.

The door behind me opens again. “Bodhi, Daddy needs you for the next batch.” Jade sits on the step next to me.

He hops on one leg, and I can see he’s trying not to step on the cracks of the sidewalk. “I don’t want to bake anymore.”

Jade sighs. “Remember, we have to finish what we start.”

His head falls back, and he groans.

“If you go now, we’ll go to the park later.”

“Okay.” He runs up the stairs but stops right in front of Jade. “She liked it.”

Jade turns to me and smiles, raising her hand to Bodhi. “Way to go, sous chef.”

He slaps her hand, and she shakes it out as he rounds us and heads inside. Seconds later, the front door slams shut.

I bump shoulders with her. “It’s nice to see you happy.”

“It’s nice to be happy.” She wraps her arm around me. “I heard a rumor.”

“Can he not keep anything to himself?” I lay my head on her shoulder.

“Are you sure you want to move into the Nest? You can stay here as long as you want.”

I love that she’s not telling me I’m being crazy and is just supporting my decision. I’ve missed her all the years she was away. Sure, she was there for me to call anytime, and we planned get-togethers where I’d meet her in some exotic locale, but this is what I missed most. Living our lives day by day, side by side.

“You have a family now. I’d be in the way.”

“Elo—”

“No, Jade.” I sit up and turn to face her. “Thank you for the offer, but it’s time I find my footing. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m excited too.”

She nods. “Okay, but it’s just roommates, right?”

“Yes.”

She opens her arms, and we hug. “I’m always here, and that room is always yours.”

“Thank you. And it’s only temporary. You can help me try to find a place after I clear up this whole wedding mess with Tristan.”

She cringes, and her gaze diverts to the street.

“What?”

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