Page 4 of In Your Dreams

“Not really,” he says. “After I decided not to drink anymore, that was kind of it. I just didn’t. I’m lucky in that regard. It’s not as easy for some.”

“Okay, well tell Wade I’d like the Birthday Special,” I say. Even though I wasn’t old enough to drink here before I moved, I heard he has a special drink for birthdays that always sounded so over the top to me. But it’s supposed to taste exactly like birthday cake so I can’t resist finding out.

“Coming right up,” Parker says.

Before leaving he presses his hand to my side, giving it a little squeeze.Oh my.The warmth from his touch lingers longer than I expect. Aside from the hugs from my brother, dad, and son, Parker is the first man outside my husband to touch me in many years. Well, unless you count the other day when I shook the pediatrician’s hand. He’s like forty years older than me and walks with a distinct limp. I had to take Aiden for his sports physical for tryouts tomorrow. But yeah, I don’t think that counts.

“Here you are,” Parker says, reappearing in front of me. “One Birthday Special.”

The drink itself looks a little ridiculous. Served in a tall glass, the color of the liquid is an off-white like maybe there's cream liquor in it. It’s topped with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles to mimic a cake.

“Wow.” I laugh. I take a sip through the pink crazy straw protruding and am delighted to find it tastes exactly like birthday cake.

“Is it everything you dreamed it would be?” He asks.

“It is,” I say. “It’s just like cake.”

“I know, Wade gave me one on my birthday a while back. I think he meant it to be a joke because of how it looks but I thought it tasted pretty good,” he says, laughing.

I nod, feeling a pause in the conversation so I re-direct. “So I hear you work at the school now?”

“Yeah, I’m the gym teacher and coach the varsity baseball team,” he says. “Plus I’ve got Little League this summer.”

“No way,” I say. “My son plays baseball. He’ll be at tryouts tomorrow. He’s so nervous.”

“Oh awesome. I was looking over the list today and thought I recognized his name,” he says. “Tell him there’s no need to be nervous. Everyone makes the team.”

“Oh I know that,” I say. “He’s just very serious about his playing and wants to impress.”

“I’m sure he’ll be great. He’s your son after all,” he says before taking a sip of his Coke.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s the one blushing now.

CHAPTER FOUR

PARKER

I’m more nervous than a virgin on prom night when her date shows up with a mattress in the bed of his truck. But if Poppy can tell, she’s not acting like it.

Standing up to talk to her made my insides twist into knots. But the moment I heard her say my name, they loosened ever so slightly. I’ve only seen her maybe a handful of times since high school. When her family visits for holidays and occasions, sometimes I’ve run into them at the store or their family’s garage. Honestly, this is probably the longest conversation we’ve had since English class together.

“What are you guys talking about?” Emma asks, stepping toward us.

“Not much, just catching up,” Poppy says. “Aiden is going to be on Parker’s Little League team this summer.”

“Oh wow,” Emma says. “That’s awesome. Plus, you guys will get to see more of each other.”

I choke on the sip of Coke I’m taking and pound my hand against my chest.Jesus.Emma isn’t subtle at all.

“Yeah,” Poppy says, her eyes bouncing up to meet mine. “I guess we will.”

She gives me her signature smile and for a moment, I probably read too much into the way she says that. Paired with the way she seems to be looking right into my soul, I can only hope. But it’s probably nothing.

“Poppy, I need to pee,” Emma says. “Come with?”

“Sure,” Poppy says, sitting her drink down next to me. “I’ll be right back.”

I watch the two bounce through the crowd toward the bathrooms in the back and sigh. I know I can’t monopolize her time tonight. A lot of people are here for her and she should get to talk with all of them. But damn, I wish I could.

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