Page 91 of Love…It's Complicated

“I’d like that, Mommy. The inside of my cast is itchy.” He shoves his fingers inside the cast and starts to tug at the skin.

“I’ll grab Chinese.”

Tyler’s offer has me blinking at him in utter confusion.

“I mean, it’s no Lin Chun, but Izzy’s therapist is on Main Street near that restaurant your mom liked. Hunter, you get on pajamas, and we’ll have dinner together. As a family.”

With a hand on my neck, I look back at Tyler and shake my head. “I don’t think that’s the best idea.”

“What’s the problem?”

“It could be confusing for the kids.”

“They’re not gonna think we’re getting back together.”

“You staying for dinner again is not a good idea.”

“Of course it is!” Izzy nearly shouts.

We look to her, and she’s standing there … smiling. Not just smiling. She’s beaming. The kid who’s shrugged her way through life this year is looking like the kid she once was, jolly and excited for her dad to have dinner in her house.

“You want Dad to stay for dinner?”

“Yes! We haven’t had a family dinner in forever. We’ll have egg rolls, and then we can playFamily Feud. Mom loves that game. Tell Dad how much you love watchingFamily Feudreels. I’ve caught her so many times the last few weeks.”

I look at Tyler. My smile is closed as I shrug. “I do like the game show.”

“Daddy’s staying?” Hunter perks up with a goofy grin of his own. “This is so cool!”

Tyler slaps his hands together. “Excellent! I’ll get the food, and we’ll have a family game night. See you in a little bit.”

Tyler opens the door, and he and Izzy start down the stairs. Hunter is already on his way up to change while I call down to Tyler.

“You never asked what I wanted to eat!”

He stops momentarily at his car and smiles. “After nearly twenty years, I think I know how to order for you, Lyss.”

I slam the front door and chew on my nail.

Damn it!It feels like a mini tornado just came and swiped through my fun plans and swooped them up into the atmosphere.

I’m annoyed at Tyler, and then I get annoyed at myself because, really, this is about Hunter’s stomachache. Tyler totally bulldozed the situation, and I let him. Why did I let him? Because Izzy smiled. My girl, my world, lit up like Christmas morning, and I’m a sucker for my kids.

Resigned to my new night in, I grab my cell phone from my purse and head upstairs, sliding my boots off as I climb the stairs. Will’s line rings, and when I hear the croon of his voice, the kind that’s looking forward to enjoying a meal with a woman, I instantly feel deflated.

“Are you leaving your house now?”

I close the door to my room and fall to my bed, and it squeaks because that’s what old beds do. Anyone else would have probably upgraded, but it was mine, and my mom bought it, and I’m nostalgic, so there’s that.

“I’m bailing on you. Hunter has a stomachache, so he couldn’t go to dinner, so now dinner’s coming to me. I’m so sorry. Like, I’m crazy, utterly upset because I wanted to see you tonight, and I know I’m not the easiest person to make plans with, but life gets in the way, and you were so sweet when you called earlier—”

“Melissa, it’s okay. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed, but I understand. And I’m not the easiest person to make plans with either. I work a ton and sleep like a bear. We’ll figure out a routine. It’s okay.”

“I’d ask how an amazing man like yourself is still single, but I know the answer to that.”

He chuckles. “Same to you, babe. For what it’s worth, I’m glad for it.”

My hand falls to my lips and runs along my smile. “Me too,” I say surprisingly. I think this is the first time I haven’t looked at my single status and felt so alone.

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