Page 130 of Your Second Chance
Oh, this is going to be a long Christmas.
“What did Ollie say?” Luna pressed.
Dirks shifted uncomfortably, glancing behind him as if he was suddenly very interested in the state of my cabinets. I sighed, giving up on trying to maintain any sense of privacy.
Fine, whatever.
“He said he was happy for Scarlette,” I replied, focusing on the apple I was slicing for her snack. “There was a reason he never took that title. Austin deserves it.”
Luna grabbed one of the apple slices, crunching into it loudly.
“Not for you.” I slapped her hand away, scowling, but she grabbed another slice.
“He doesn’t deserve it, but whatever. I’m happy for Scar.”
“Me too,” I said, and I meant it.
Despite all the complications, Scarlette’s joy had made the whole messy situation feel worthwhile.
“Do you need help with the ham?” Dirks asked, pointing toward the oven.
I nodded, grateful for the distraction, and he busied himself checking the temperature and basting it like he was auditioning for a cooking show.
As soon as he was occupied, I turned to Luna, lowering my voice to a whisper. “Boyfriend?” I hissed, narrowing my eyes. “You broke up with?—”
“Stop.” She set her glass of wine down with a clink and met my gaze head-on. “I know what I’m doing.”
Luna wasn’t exactly known for taking things slow, but there was something in her expression, a rare flicker of vulnerability, that made me pause.
“Okay,” My voice was losing its edge. “Be careful, Lune.”
“When is your fiancé coming to the States?” Dirks asked, his tone casual as he glanced over from the oven.
“They told him his visa would be approved before New Year.” I tried to keep the hopefulness in my voice from sounding too desperate.
“That’s positive.” Luna reached out and squeezed my forearm.
“It is,” I said quietly, the words feeling more like a reassurance to myself than anything else.
I couldn’t stop the image that flashed in my mind—Ollie walking through the door, his smile lighting up the room as he dropped his bags and pulled Scarlette into his arms. It felt so close, yet still out of reach.
Luna must’ve noticed the faraway look on my face because she gave my arm another squeeze. “He’ll be here soon,” she said confidently. “You’ve been patient this long. What’s another week or two?”
“I know.” I sighed and turned to look at Dirks. “So what’s the situation between you?”
“Merry Christmas,” I said as I set down a pair of tartlets I’d picked up from the bakery, their delicate design reminding me of something Mrs. Stone would’ve gotten. The thought tugged at my heart, but in a comforting way.
“Yum, Nove,” Luna said as she snuggled up to Dirks, a mischievous grin already tugging at her lips.
Scarlette, who’d been quietly munching on her snack, suddenly perked up. “If Daddy Luna gets married to Mr. Dicks?—”
“Dirks.” I quickly corrected her. “Dirks, Scarlette.”
She nodded solemnly, clearly unbothered by the slipup. “If they get married, do I have to call him Daddy Dirks?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Yes.”
