Page 2 of Second Down Scrooge

“Fine,” he mutters. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

I hang up and finish the wreath, and I spot Mia climbing into her bouncy chair, her tiny ponytail made out of the little whisps of hair I gathered up on top of her head swinging with her movements. That’s usually the signal that she’s tired and ready for a nap, so I walk over, pick her up, and snuggle her to my chest. “Daddy said he’ll see you Friday, baby girl,” I murmur.

I walk over to the rocking chair Ava ordered for my office, and I sit down and start to rock her. Her eyes close, and once I’m certain she’s asleep, I set her in the bassinet that she’s nearly starting to outgrow.

I take my wreath and my baby monitor, and I head out of my office, lock the door, and walk out toward the cafe, where I findAva talking to some customers over the counter. Once they’re done, I show her the wreath.

“God, Kel. You’re so talented. I wish I had half the creativity you do.”

“You totally do. Your cookies are the cutest in town.” I nod toward the case of cookies. The hottest sellers right now are the Vegas Aces cookies she’s been making with the team logo since her husband is a former player on the team. In fact, the night she met him—orre-met him, I guess, since she’d known him since she was a kid but hadn’t seen him in a decade—was the same night I met Austin. It was a year and a half ago now, but she’s married, and I’m…not.

I’m an exhausted single mom.

We had a fling, we had some fun, and I ended up pregnant. And that’s pretty much the end of our story. He did some underhanded things, I found out he was a member of a sex club, and I can’t be anything more than a co-parent with him.

And flaking on our standing Tuesday appointment feels like a step backward instead of forward.

He’s in season, though, so I’m trying to be understanding.

“Oh, that wreath is just darling!” Mrs. Howard says from the other side of the counter. “How much is it?”

“Oh, no, these aren’t for sale,” I say. “Just decorations I made for Ava.” I hang it on the wall behind the register where we always hang a wreath for whatever holiday is coming next. It’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so all the Christmas décor is going up today.

“I’d pay fifty for one,” Mrs. Howard says. “And so would every other lady in my bunco group.”

I glance over at her in surprise. “Really?”

She nods. “Really. They’re just adorable…and so are you. In fact, you’d be perfect for my grandson. Are you seeing anybody?”

Gotta hand it to grandmas. Somehow, they just know the exact most awkward thing to say.

“Oh, I’m not really dating right now,” I decline respectfully. “Single mom, busy work schedule, you know how it goes.” I duck my head in embarrassment.

“I do. All the more reason to get you out to have a little fun. How’s Friday?” she asks.

“Your cakes are ready,” Callie says as she walks in from the kitchen with two boxes, and I’m thankful for the interruption.

“Thank you, honey,” Mrs. Howard says. Jenny follows behind Callie with two more boxes, and Mrs. Howard looks at me. “Would you help me get these out to my car, dear?”

I nod. “Of course.”

I carry two boxes, and she carries the other two. I carefully set them in the trunk of her Lincoln.

“Now about Friday. Max can pick you up from here or at your house around, say…seven?”

“Mrs. Howard! Don’t be silly. You didn’t even check with Max to see if he’s free.”

She laughs. “He’s got dinner plans with me on Friday at seven.” She leans in toward me. “I’m just swapping outmefor you.”

“I’m sure he’d really appreciate that, but I can’t. Really.” Except…I can. Austin just called to tell me that he wants to spend time with Mia on Friday after practice, and he didn’t say anything aboutmebeing there. And why not get picked up for a date while he’s there? Maybe it’ll send him the message I’m trying to send.

Except, to be honest, I’m not even sure what that message is at this point.

I’m holding him at arm’s length even though I want him. I’m half in love with him, half in hate with him. I’m still angry that he hurt my friend, his priorities are not aligned with mine, andI’m trying to move on, but I can’t since we see each other at a minimum of once a week with this whole co-parenting thing, and I’m stillsoattracted to him that it’s unreal.

I can’t stay stuck in neutral forever. I shoulddosomething about it.

“He’s a real catch, but I understand,” she says. She smiles warmly at me, and then she walks toward the driver’s side of her car.

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