Page 25 of Beautiful Thing

Karli barks out a laugh so hard, I fear she’s going to drop my son.

“Rainbow! That’s not a nice thing to say!” I stifle my own laugh as I swoop Sky out of Karli’s arms.

A guilty look comes over Rainbow’s face. “Sorry, dear. That was a very low-vibrational thing to say. But I’ll stand by this—I’d bet Archer is willing to water your lettuce, your whole damn garden actually. And it’s perfectly okay to let him.”

Karli is laughing hysterically, wiping tears as they stream down her cheeks.

I roll my eyes at her. “Thanks for the advice, Rainbow. But I think that would be a bad idea.”

Rainbow grows serious. “Would it really be a bad idea? Or just an idea that pushes you out of your comfort zone? There’s a difference, y’know?”

Considering that possibility gives me full-blown anxiety, so I cut the conversation short. “We really have to get going,” I tell Rainbow.

She gives me a knowing nod, but she’s nice enough not to call me out on my avoidance. She gives Sky a juicy tangerine and we all say our goodbyes, heading back across the market.

As we go, I continue thinking about what Rainbow said. I fucked up so bad when I chose Razor as a partner, and maybethis new chapter is my chance to clean up my mistake, to build afresh for Sky and me. I’d love it if this second chance could include the love of a man like Archer Brighton. But I don’t think I’ll getthatlucky. So I won’t even let my mind entertain it.

We jump into the car and Karli drives us across town. In no time, we’re pulling up at the nursing home. Karli waits in the parking lot, catching up on some schoolwork while we go inside.

Razor’s grandmother lives here, and I do my best to come visit her every few weeks. Grandma Dory practically raised him because his parents were never really in the picture. I do my best to ensure that Sky has a relationship with her. That means regular visits to the nursing home where she now lives.

Grandma Dory is delighted when I hand over her favorite cranberry muffins. She’s even more delighted when I help Sky crawl into her bed. The elderly woman showers her great-grandson with hugs and kisses, making me smile.

Razor and I may be over but that doesn’t change how I feel about his grandmother. My son and I don’t have much family so it’s important that we appreciate the few people who have been good to us.

With Sky snuggled by her side, Grandma Dory looks at me with shrewd eyes. “Is everything all right, dear? You look extra tired today.”

I’m tempted to tell her about Razor and his shenanigans, oh, I’msotempted to tell her all about it. But what good would that do? She can’t do anything to fix my problems, so it’s no use dumping my burdens into her lap.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I lie. “Sky woke up in the middle of the night and I had trouble falling back asleep.”

The woman analyzes my face for a long moment. Then she nods in acceptance of my lie. “I know it’s hard. But you have to remember to take care of yourself, even with all the responsibilities on your plate.”

I’ve been hearing that a lot these days. But in my situation, it’s a lot easier said than done.

“I’ll try my best,” I promise her.

After a few too-short minutes, it’s time to leave. I hate that we can’t stay longer but I can’t keep Karli waiting all day. So we give the old woman a few more hugs before saying goodbye. Then Karli drives us back to Archer’s house.

When she pulls up in the driveway, there’s a fancy sportscar in the yard. There are tools scattered all about in the snow. I see Archer crouched beside my rust bucket of a car with a guy who looks familiar.

Karli waves out the driver’s side window. “Hey Jasper!”

I blink.Jasper? Jasper Westbrook?What the hell is going on?

I hop out of the car and hustle to where the two men are now rising to their feet. “Hey,” I say, my attention bouncing between them.

Archer yanks the work gloves off his hands. “Layla, you remember Nicky’s brother, Jasper?”

I bob my head. “Jasper, the mechanic. The mechanic who lives in Honey Hill.Forty-five minutes away,” I say in disbelief.

“That’s me.” Jasper gives me a grin and a salut. Then he greets Karli who has now come up beside me, holding Sky’s hand.

Jasper is Mason’s cousin, meaning that he and Karli are practically family.

The mechanic’s attention comes back to me and he starts giving me a rundown of all the work he just did on my car.

Brand new winter tires, gas refill, oil change, wiper replacement. How am I supposed to pay for all that? A knot begins to form in my throat. The panic must be evident on my face.

---