Page 2 of In the Works

I grinned. “It was my honor.”

My mind wandered as I unbuckled Ava’s car seat. I’d been with Jason since I was fifteen, uninterested in anyone else. But the giddiness that once rose in my chest at the sight of those warm eyes had cooled down, replaced by the calm comfort of a budding friendship.

I shook the feeling off and helped Ava jump out of the car, slinging her green, cartoon turtle backpack over my shoulder.

Derek collected his stuff from the front seat and trudged out of the car.

“Hey, bud.” Jason ruffled the shaggy hair on the top of Derek’s head.

Derek leaned into his dad for a hug, not bothering to say a word as he walked into the house.

Before he could get out of my sight, I shouted. “Der, I love you!”

“Love you too.” He called back over his shoulder.

Lifting his head, Jason looked at me. His brow furrowed in confusion. “Did I do something?”

I waved my hand to ease his worry. “He’s upset that there's no PS5 here. I told him you and I would try to get him one for both places.”

“Got it. I’ll take a look at the budget once they’re at school and see if there’s room.” Jason held Leila’s hand as they walked down the driveway.

I filed in next to them, letting Ava run ahead of me. I hollered after her, “I love you!”

She turned and waved to me before disappearing inside the house.

Jason pat Leila’s back. “Sweetie, go set your stuff in your room and get ready for school. I’ll be right in.”

She nodded, striding toward the door with a hand on each strap of her bag.

“Love you, baby.” I waved at her.

Once she was out of earshot, Jason turned toward me and lowered his voice. “You’re sure it’s okay if Liv hangs out here?”

I nodded. “Yeah, of course. The kids love her.”

Jason tried to hide his blush as he kicked some gravel with his steel-toed boot. “Thanks, Sar.”

“No need to thank me. I’ll see you later this week.” I opened my arms to hug Jason and passed him Ava’s bag before heading back to the minivan.

A part of me thought I should miss him, that his smell should send me spiraling. But it had been over a year since we split, and everything had been easier since.

I hopped back into the car and waved to Jason before pulling out of the driveway. Making my way back toward Main Street, I took a deep breath.I need a coffee.

When I peeked at the empty back seat through the rearview mirror, my heart twinged. The strangest thing about our divorce was still leaving my babies somewhere. Even though Jason was a more-than-competent co-parent, it felt odd to have the kids out of my sight for so long.

Before I could get too lost in the thought, I pulled into a parking spot on Main Street,turned off the car, and grabbed my purse from the passenger footwell.

As I stepped out of the van, fresh spring air filled my lungs. You could tell the straggling teenagers were growing antsy for summer break. Main Street had calmed in the last twenty minutes, already settling into the day as students headed for their classrooms.

I pushed open the door to Dirty Dee’s, comforted by the familiar tinkle of a bell overhead. The cashier was wiping the counters, finally catching up after a couple brutal hours.

“Hi, Sarah,” she smiled at me.

Walking closer, I gave a little wave. “Hey, Ashley. How’s your morning?”

She shrugged, scanning the chaotic counters behind her and chuckling. “Not too bad. Your usual?”

I rubbed my chin, scanning the menu. “Actually, could I grab the lavender latte? I feel like I should try something new.”

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