Page 89 of The Art Of Starting Over

They lay there with the blanket draped between their legs. Devy rested her head on Hayden’s chest while her fingers rubbed back and forth over his smattering of chest hair. He was only the second man she had ever been with, and she was surprised by how good she felt, by how Hayden had made her feel. Alive and sexy. Wanted and satisfied.

It was her idea to come into the camper, but not something she had planned. It could’ve been the sangria talking or her heart. Either way, she was happy. She wanted to be with him, to explore what a relationship with him could be like.

The only thing holding her back was fear. She was afraid to give him her heart. Not that she expected him to hurt her. It was more her than anything. Chad had really done a number on her, causing her to have trust issues.

Hayden moved onto his side to face her. He twirled the end of her hair around his finger and then kissed her forehead. They hadn’t said much since they’d made love. Mostly nuzzling and touching each other. Words seemed to fail her, and she didn’t want to say something stupid. She didn’t know what to do in this situation. Her first time had been in the back of Chad’s car, and then they’d sneaked around untilcollege. Now that she was an adult, she couldn’t help but feel like she was sneaking around again.

In a sense, they were. Neither of them could go to each other’s houses. What would their parents think? Their children? Deep down, Devy knew Chad would somehow get Maren to spill. Devorah didn’t understand the hold he had on her. She wanted it to break. For him to go away and live his life with Ester.

One day.

“As much as I want to stay in this space with you,” Hayden said, combing his fingers through her hair, “and make love to you again, we should get home.”

“But here, we’re free, and it’s quiet.”

He chuckled a bit. “I actually think if my neighbors were outside, they might have heard us.”

Devy’s cheeks burned. “Good thing it’s dark then, and no one will see us doing the walk of shame.”

“There’s zero shame in what we’ve done. I don’t have any regrets.”

“Me neither.” She sat up on her elbows and kissed him. “This was the most exceptional evening. Thank you.”

“Thank you,” he said. “We’ll make plans with the kids for tomorrow. I read in my single-parent handbook that it’s important to include the children in dates.”

“It’s a good thing Maren and Conor are friends.”

“Definitely.”

They got up, dressed, and began walking toward Crow’s, holding hands the entire way. She loved the way her hand fit in his, and also loved how Hayden was taller than her. Chad was her height, and he didn’t like it when she wore heels. Now, if she wanted, she could put a pair on, and she’d still have to look up at Hayden.

When they reached Crow’s porch, Hayden kissed her lightly on the lips and said he’d see her in the morning. Devorah waved to him when she got inside and then watched him walk away. She closed the door,kept her hand on it for a moment, wishing the night didn’t have to end, and then went to find her father.

Crow sat in his recliner, with the news playing on the television.

“How was your night?”

“Maren and I are a formidable team,” he told her. “We beat Lee and Conor at checkers, Monopoly, and some other card game she taught us. We’re taking our show on the road.”

Listening to him describe their night brought tears to her eyes.

“Why are you crying?” he asked as he kicked the recliner closed and stood. “Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head and let the tears fall. “I’m happy you and Maren have bonded. It means the world to me.”

Crow brought Devorah into his arms and hugged her tightly. He continued to hold her until she’d stopped crying.

“I’m trying, Devorah. I know I messed up with you, but Maren’s my second chance. Right now, I’d like to thank that horrible husband of yours for screwing up because I’m the victor in the situation. I have my daughter back and now my granddaughter.”

“I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you too.” He pulled back a little. “Did you have a good night?”

“I did,” she said as she wiped her tears away. “Hayden took me out to this restaurant on a ship. It goes from port to port, so it’s pretty unique. After dinner, we danced and then we walked around town, remembering how awesome it was to grow up here.”

“Really?” His eyebrow popped up. “I recall many times while you were growing up, yelling and screaming about how you hated it here and couldn’t wait to move.”

Devorah shrugged. “That was before I became a mother. Now I love it. Good night, Crow.”

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