Page 110 of Lucky Shot
“Sadly, he is one hundred percent serious. He’s flying so many people in you’d think she was playing in the Little League World Series instead of a local championship game.”
“It’s a big deal!” Flynn shouts, still far away.
“I love that he’s so good to her.”
“Yeah, me too. It’s why I let him knock me up.”
I chuckle.
“Is she in?” he asks. “Is she coming?”
“I’m definitely in,” I say with a laugh.
“Really?” Olivia asks with a hopefulness that confirms it’s the right thing to do.
“Of course. I can’t wait to see you guys.” Iamexcited to see them but the thought of leaving has an uneasy feeling swirling in my stomach too. God. I’m one big ball of emotions lately.
“Ahh. I’m so excited. Flynn made shirts. Be prepared.”
“Ask her if she wants hers to say Aunt Ruby or The Cool Aunt,” Flynn says in the background.
“Dealer’s choice,” I say. That man truly loves my niece like she were his own.
She relays back what I said to him, and he promises to send me all the details later tonight. Then Olivia and I spend a few more minutes talking while she fills me in on everything happening back home—from Dad’s new pickleball hobby to Grandma’s knee surgery. All things I already heard via text but getting the full update is so much better.
My well is full by the time we hang up. I sit on the porch, smiling out at the lake with my chin resting on my knees and the wind blowing through my hair. This might be my favorite place in the entire world, but I miss my family. If I could plop them here it’d be perfect.
I wonder if I can work out an ongoing summer rental agreement with Nick. Spending a few months here every year to write sounds lovely. We could continue our fling every summer. Walks by the lake, boat rides, skating, writing, listening to Aidan play guitar, and hanging out with Nick every possible moment. I know it isn’t a realistic fantasy, but I indulge in it for a few minutes anyway.
My attention is broken only when I hear the slam of a door. Aidan has his guitar slung over his shoulder and it bounces against his little body as he jogs down the steps and then toward the cabin.
I stand to greet him as he approaches. “Hey.”
He’s carrying a glass container in one hand and stretches it out toward me when he’s close. “From my dad. He said you probably haven’t eaten all day since you’re on deadline.”
I take it but laugh. I guess he forgot that he brought breakfast and coffee by this morning.
“Thanks.”
Inside the cabin, I take the food to the kitchen.
“Did you eat yet?” I ask him as I pry off the lid. The smell of chicken and cheese and some sort of spices or sauces that I can’t place makes my stomach growl and my mouth water.
“Yeah. It’s not bad.” The way he says it has me second-guessing. I could DoorDash tacos for the third time this week.
“He’s been trying new recipes, swapping out foods to make them healthier for Grandpa. He has a bad heart.”
“Your grandpa does?”
Aidan nods.
Nick never mentioned it. Not that he should, but it hits me how little of our lives we’ve shared. Somehow, I still feel like I know him better than just about anyone.
“That’s nice of him,” I say of Nick making special foods for his dad.
“Yeah, I guess so, but it’s not really working.”
“No?”
