Page 137 of The Way We Score

Garrett is already serving me an eggplant medallion, and I have my milk on hand. “I’m really desperate. I hate spicy food. It burns my tongue.”

“The milk will help.”

I’ve just taken my first bite when the door opens, and Rhonda Peachtree hurries into the room.

“Garrett, I’ve been looking for you everywhere. It’s here!” She’s waving a brown envelope over her head.

“Hey, Rhonda, what’s up?” Garrett rises, meeting her halfway.

“Olivia!” She hurries over to where I’m sitting, unable to stand. “This is perfect. This…” She hands the envelope to me. “Is actually for you.”

My eyes widen, and I turn to the side, fingers trembling as I unbend the bright gold fastener holding the envelope closed.

“I don’t think I can open it.” I feel excited and anxious and expectant… and finally, the flap opens, and I reach in to pull out the thick set of papers.”

Divorce Decreeis typed in all-caps at the top, and it proceeds to state that it’s over. Warner Oberon the Third is officially out of my life once and for all. Holding a moment, I take a few breaths, waiting to see how I feel.

“It’s so odd,” I whisper. “I don’t feel anything.”

Lifting my gaze, I meet Garret’s smile. “That chapter is closed.”

“It is.” I nod, reaching up to him.

No tears, no regret. The feelings are so far in the rearview mirror, and I’m completely over it.

“Hey.” Garrett gives me a nudge, and I look up at him. “Will you still marry me?”

Pressing my lips together, I pretend to consider this. “I only just got divorced. I might want to play around a little.”

“Play being my wife.”

A smile breaks across my lips.I love that. “My husband.”

He hugs me close again, pressing his lips beside my ear as he whispers, “I’m never letting you go again.”

“I can’t takeanother day of this.” I’m standing in the kitchen at the Bradford house eating pineapple and drinking licorice tea.

I’m on the verge of tears.

“I wish there was something I could do!” Dylan holds my hand, her face scrunchedin a frown.

Her hair is up in a bun, and she’s dressed in her ballet leotard with nylon pants over it. She’s headed out to school to teach her P.E. classes, and I’m facing another day of waddling around like a whale.

“Are you kidding? You’ve done everything! You made shrimp quesadillas, lemon drop cupcakes, spicy eggplant parm…”

“It only gave you heartburn.” She tilts her head to the side sadly. “I’ve got to go, but can I get you anything?”

“No.” I sigh heavily. “I think I’ll walk to Mom’s. Maybe being with the chickens will coax her out.”

She laughs, giving me a hug before skipping out the door. I put my hand on my lower back, making my way out to the wide concrete path along the water that leads down to Mom’s small cottage on the bay.

Signs of spring are all around me. Pink flowers sprout on the redbud trees. Butterflies flitter over the small, white bloodroot flowers. A biker zooms past when I take a break to pick a bright orange calendula.

“Aren’t they beautiful?” An older lady in a straw hat stops to pick one.

She has a small dog on a leash, and it’s wearing a little plaid jacket.

“Yes,” I nod, smiling. “I like your dog. Is it a Yorkie? I’ve never seen one that color.”

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