Page 71 of Inside the Penalty Box

My mother nodded. “That was what it was like with your father, and I’ve never been able to find that again.”

She looked at me and smiled through the tears in her eyes. “And to answer your question, what you have with Dylan is definitely love. Never mistake it for anything but and, my dear, wrap your arms around it and never let it go.”

All this time, I’d never realized how much my mother actually loved me until tonight.

“Oh god, that was so beautiful, Penelope,” Lorelai cried, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “Maybe one day I’ll find that kind of love.” She sniffled and picked up her seventh glass of wine and drank it down.

I couldn’t help but laugh at Lorelai and her flushed cheeks. I couldn’t remember the last time she’d drank so much, and it was all because Knox had joined us for dinner. I wrapped my arm around Lorelai and pulled her close. “You’ll have it one day,” I said. “Probably with someone you hate.” I winked, glancing across to the spot where Knox had been sitting.

“I swear, Aurora, don’t start,” she said, getting a little red in the face.

Mom and I burst out laughing, and soon she was laughing too.

* * *

We ordered dessert once Walker and Knox left. Lorelai seemed to be more at ease and was finally smiling again. Dylan quickly took care of the tab, and we made our way out to the parking lot.

“Thank you so much for dinner,” my mother said, turning toward me and Dylan.

“My pleasure. These two ladies have worked hard.” He pulled me against him and placed a kiss on my forehead.

“That they have. I’m very proud of the pair of them.” She winked.

“Are you coming home?” Lorelai asked, turning toward me.

I was about to say yes, but Dylan spoke up first. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to monopolize her for one more night. I’ll have her home first thing in the morning, and I’ll even help with more unpacking.” He added.

“Eight sharp,” Lorelai said, smiling.

I wasn’t sure if she was kidding or not. “Eight sharp?” I repeated. “It’s Saturday.”

“Wimps. Fine, how is ten? This guy doesn’t like to get up too early on his days off.” Dylan chuckled.

“Honestly,” Lorelai said, shaking her head.

The four of us laughed. “Ten is fine.” She winked, pulling me in for a hug.

We watched as Mom and Lorelai climbed into the car and pulled away, then Dylan pulled me into his side and turned toward his car.

“So, you want me all to yourself, hmmm?”

“I do. There will be lots of nights you’ll spend alone soon enough. I want to make the most of the time we have together, otherwise I’ll be on one end of the phone or camera and you on the other, and while that is fun, this is better.”

My heart skipped a beat hearing those words leave his mouth. I hoped this phase of our relationship would last forever.

* * *

We walked hand-in-hand through the park across the street from Dylan’s condo. It was a quiet night. Few people were out, despite the gorgeous weather. He stopped at a park bench and sat down, pulling me down beside him.

“You have a good time tonight?” he asked.

“I did. Best time. Thank you for everything tonight.”

He placed his hand on my cheek and leaned in, placing his lips on mine. “You’re welcome,” he whispered as our lips parted.

He placed his arm on the back of the bench, and I cuddled into his side, and we sat there staring out at the water.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking over the past little while.”

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