Page 5 of We Can Forever

“It’s the first step.”

I literally scratch my head. Well, shit. “That’s not how I was taught to do it.”

“That’s because you went to school, like, forty years ago,” Rose says, completely serious.

I nearly choke on air. “I’m not even forty. How is that possible?”

“He’s thirty-five,” Katie says, matter-of-fact.

“See, look how good you two are with numbers. You know who has an answer for this? YouTube.” I pull out my phone and find a video on how to take care of fractions the modern way.

With the girls back on track, I head over to my plans again. I’m still not sure about how much I want to prioritize extra counter space, and, silly as it sounds, it’s a problem that’s been keeping me up at night.

This isn’t just a kitchen I’m redoing. It isn’t just another contracting job.

It isn’t even about making a good impression as Pine Island’s new fire chief.

It’s more than that. This project is important in a way that wrings my heart.

Even if I don’t want to think too hard about it.

The back door opens, and Jenny walks in, bag over her shoulder, knitting needles and a half-done scarf in her hands. “Hey, all.”

“Hi, Mom.” Rose doesn’t bother looking up from her phone.

Wait. Her phone?

“Hold on.” I fold my arms over my chest. “What happened to your homework?”

“We’re done.” Katie looks over Rose’s shoulder and giggles at something on the screen.

“Hey, guess what?” Jenny knits as she stands in my kitchen.

“What?” I lean back against the counter.

“You have a date tomorrow night with Pine Island’s newest shop owner.”

“Uh… Excuse me?”

“You’ll thank me later.”

I cut my gaze to the girls. Katie has obviously overheard what my sister has said, and she’s waiting for my reaction.

I clear my throat. “Jenny, I want to show you something in the…my room.”

Once we’re at the other end of the house, I shut the bedroom door. “What are you thinking? Bringing up a date in front of Katie?”

She makes a face. “Come on, Michael. Give her some credit. She can handle more than you think. Anyway, this town is so small and nosy, she would have heard about the date from someone else anyway.”

I cross my arms again. I can’t deny that, but still, there’s the other part of this issue. “I didn’t say I would go on the date.”

“So, you don’t want to do it?” The way she’s eyeing me makes me feel so exposed.

Jenny has always been good at reading people. It’s probably one of the reasons she’s such a successful therapist. I’m forever asking her opinion on people. When she turns the talent on me, though, it’s a different story.

“I…” I run my hand over my head, noticing that I need a haircut. Shit, I’m not even ready for a date.

In more ways than one.

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