Page 114 of Just One Season
Lucy’s really going.
Of course she’ll get the job—she’s freaking amazing. She’s smart and confident and sweet and friendly, never mind beautiful and sexy. Maybe the slightest bit accident prone, but that only makes her more endearing.
I’m desperate to see her. I even bought her a Christmas gift, just in case the opportunity came to give it to her. It’s stupid, really, a book calledA Guide to Hiking in Colorado. There’s a whole section on wildlife and what to do if you see a bear, a mountain lion, or a rattlesnake, among others. I put a few sticky notes throughout that chapter with some snarky comments I’d hoped would make her laugh.
I’m not sure I’ll ever give it to her.
Because the thing is, even if we were really dating, even if none of it had been fake, it would still be ending. We’d be breaking up soon. Before she heads out of the country. So it’s better to do this on my terms—ourterms—and split before we got in too deep.
Unfortunately, I think I already am.
Lachlan and Atticus come back with drinks and girls. Three of them. One blonde, one brunette, and a redhead. All beautiful, smiling, and happy. Lachlan attaches himself to the brunette, Atticus the blonde, and the redhead slides next to me.
Are you kidding me? All I can see are Lucy’s thick red curls, crazy around her head, and the way it felt to bury my hands in them.
“Hey, I’m Mel.” Her red hair is long and wavy, and her eyes are blue, not green like Lucy’s. She’s got a scattering of freckles across her nose. They’re different than Lucy’s. Lighter, more subtle.
Is this my future? Where I compare every single woman to Lucy Knox?
Sounds fucking miserable.
“This is where you tell me your name.” Mel smiles at me and cocks her head. She’s wearing a low-cut dress that shows off her shoulders and long, creamy neck. Just enough cleavage is on display to be tempting but not overly showy. She’s objectively hot.
“Kellen.” I chug half of the fresh pint Lachlan pushes toward me. “I’m afraid I’m not much fun tonight.”
She smiles at me, undeterred. “I’m sure we can make some fun together.”
But I know we can’t. I won’t. She’s pretty, but I’m zero percent interested.
I drain my beer as Mel tells me a story about her brother showing up to Christmas morning half drunk on Bloody Marys. I tune her out, nodding once in a while so she doesn’t force me to engage.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out so fast I lose my grip and drop it on the bar floor.
“Shit.” I bend down to pick it up and flip it over as I stand.
It’s a text from Bri with a picture of Ava cuddling the stuffed dog that Lucy gave our daughter for her birthday. She hasn’t put that thing down since.
I can’t believe Lucy hasn’t changed that animal’s name from Mister Barky McBarkface—sorry, MBM. Who keeps a name like that? After she swapped it once a week for months, and then she leaves it at the most ridiculous one of all?
“Why are you smiling? What’s funny?” Mel has a tentative smile on her face when I clear my thoughts of Lucy and her dog and focus back on the woman in front of me.
“Oh, nothing, but it’s my daughter. I need to get home.”
“You’re a single dad?” Mel looks even more interested. What is it with women and single dads? I think it’s the inaccessibility. We’re harder to pin down, so it makes them want us more.
“Yes. You have kids?”
“No, no.” She shakes her head and widens her eyes. “I’m not really a kid person. I could be, I guess, but I’m just not aroundthem very much these days. Ever, really.” She goes on to tell me about her younger siblings who are fresh out of college and how none of them—her included—are anywhere near ready to become parents.
And this makes me think about the sweet relationship Lucy has—had?—with Ava. Bri tells me Lucy sends her pictures of MBM to share. She’s still trying to stay in touch with my daughter.
Makes me love her even more.
I intake a breath sharply, and Mel stops talking.
I love her.
I’m in love with her.
