Page 40 of Love Her

“Very diplomatic,” I murmur as I leave my parents in the kitchen to check on the kids. I can hear Clem singing in her room as I poke my head in the bathroom.

“Jacob, don’t forget to wash your hair.” He mutters something I’m sure I don’t want to know, and I close the door before returning to the kitchen. Mom is filling bowls with chili and adding toppings when my phone pings a notification.

My mom glances at me over her shoulder, a smirk on her face. I don’t bother hiding the smile at the message.

Connor: Missed seeing your pretty smile tonight.

Me: Girls’ night.

Connor: With friends? Should I be jealous? Are you out on the town?

Snorting a laugh at the ridiculousness of his question, both the thought of me having friends and that he’d be jealous, I tap out a quick response.

Me: Yes. Be jealous of my mad Uno skills. I heard practice was good.

Connor: I was the ultimate Uno champion in my unit. I bet I could give you a run for your money. Jacob is a great kid. You should be proud.

Me: I am.

Connor: I’m sure you’re busy. Maybe you could call me later?

Nerves flutter through my belly. This feels so much like a first crush. The kind that makes you blush and smile for absolutely no reason.

Me: I’ll try.

Setting the phone on the counter, I settle into the seat next to a freshly showered Jacob and spend the next thirty minutes listening to him rattle on about practice between bites. His enthusiasm washes away any trepidation I have about dealing with Owen on a regular basis.

By the time the kids are settled in their beds for quiet time before lights out, I go through my nighttime routine of washing my face and getting ready for bed. Tying the end of the braid resting on my shoulder, I flip off the light switch and sit on top of my bed, back to the headboard.

Holding my phone in my hands, I contemplate whether or not to make the requested call. For some reason, this feels like a pivotal moment. The occasional text exchange is one thing but talking on the phone seems like a new step in whatever it is Connor and I are doing.

Dating?

Friends?

Why can’t it be both? Of course, if we are dating and it goes south, I’ll also lose a friend. Not that it would be the first time. Maybe he’s texted and said he’s going to bed. That would solve the problem completely. Except it’s nine at night. It’s also lights out for the kids, so I toss the phone on the comforter and pad my way down the hall to their rooms.

By the looks of the awkward position he’s contorted in, Jacob’s post-practice adrenaline is long gone. Setting his book on the nightstand, I shift his body to a more natural state and tuck him in, placing a kiss to his forehead. Switching off the lamp, I head for Clem’s room next.

Lying on her side, she doesn’t even twitch at my presence. My girl loves to read and sometimes it’s as if she forgets the rest of us exist when a story captures her attention.

“Honey, time for bed.”

“Let me finish this chapter. I won’t be able to sleep otherwise.”

Nodding, I move around her room, picking up laundry and tossing it into the hamper and closing her closet door. Sitting on the edge of her bed, I watch her eyes hop across the page and then widen. I recognize the cover as her purchase from the school’s book fair last month. Slamming the book closed she sighs. “What will I do when this is over? The next book doesn’t release for months, Mom.”

“Well, you’ll have to find something else to fill your time. Come on now, it’s getting late.”

Clem snuggles into her bed, covers pulled up to her chin. Kissing her forehead like I did her brother, I switch off the light and close the door, leaving only a small crack open. The house is quiet, my parents already settled in their room. If I know them, they’re watching one of the competitive cooking shows they love.

I could go out to the living room and watch a little television or start a new book. I have at least four new romances on my e-reader waiting for me to devour. As jaded as Michael made me during our marriage, I do love reading about love and happily ever afters.

Standing here in the hallway, I feel foolish for the thoughts running through my mind. It’s just a phone call. Not a big deal. I rush back to my room, a little quicker than a casual call should garner, and grab my phone. He asked me to call so I should at least say goodnight. I mean, it would be almost rude not to. Right? Right.

“Here goes nothing,” I mutter as I hit the call button next to his name.

“Hello?”

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