Page 81 of My Mistake To Make

‘Lynette, Lynnie, you can call me Lynnie.’ She holds out a hand for Cara, who glances briefly at me before taking it. ‘You look so much like your mama.’

I see the flicker of emotion in Cara’s eyes before she smiles again, softer now.

‘Would you like to sit with me, Lynnie? I’d love to hear about how you knew her.’

I swallow hard and watch as the most important woman in the world to me sits next to the woman I can’t get out of my head, and a little bubble closes them into their memories.

Stepping out of the diner, I lean against one of the outdoor tables and take a breath. The wheels are spinning so fast, andeverything in my life is moving in unexpected directions right now. The house, Cara, finally going for custody of Bowie. It’s all going to change, and it’s unsettling, but most unsettling is the sense of rightness I feel. Watching my baby girl making pancakes for her, Mama, and Cara to enjoy. Watching the three of them sitting together to eat and talk and laugh. The ease Bowie feels with Cara after one afternoon with her. It all feels right, but I know it’s too soon to feel this perfect.

‘Hey, you okay?’

I turn to see Cara stepping out of the diner, and it takes everything in me not to step forward and take her in my arms. I maintain my position and school my features, and she stands firm. This needs to look like we’re discussing the house. As far as every other person in the world needs to know, Cara and I have nothing else to be discussing.

‘Yeah, needed a little air. You good?’ I meet her gaze for a moment, and she nods.

‘I am. Your mum is lovely.’

‘She didn’t upset you, talking about your mom?’

She shakes her head. ‘No, she didn’t talk much in the end with all the pancakes and princesses talk, but she invited me over to come and chat some more.’

I straighten and look up at her again. Cara, in my house. That makes me feel like a teenage boy as I start considering how I could sneak her up to my room.

‘When?’

‘Tonight, for dinner.’ She chews her lip as she fixes her gaze on me, waiting for a reaction that I can’t give to her right now. So, I just nod.

‘Okay, that’ll be nice.’ My words are soft, and I see her shoulders drop a little.

‘I’m heading out,’ She steps back, ‘So, I guess I’ll see you later.’

‘You will.’ I straighten and make my way back to the diner door as Cara walks away, and I can’t wait to be able to kiss her before she does that in the future.

Why the fuck amI nervous?

Bree is picking Cara up and bringing her to the house for dinner, and I can’t stop fidgeting.

‘What is wrong with you?’ Zoe asks, looking up from her position on the sofa with Bowie as I pace.

‘Nothing,’ I grunt and head out back.

‘Okay, spill it.’ Of course, she followed me outside.

‘Spill what?’ I snap and glare at her.

‘Are you serious right now, Doug? You’re still going to play this dumb fucking,I don’t like Caragame?’ No, I like her very much, actually. ‘You need to grow up. Mama invited her tonight to share memories she’s kept locked up for a really long time, and you need to either suck it up or leave.’

‘It’s my house!’ I’m affronted.

‘It’s Mama’s house. You are a lodger, and your attitude is not welcome. Fix it.’

She storms back inside, and I take a breath. I can’t explain to Zoe that I’m not pissed about Cara coming for dinner but excited. I can’t tell my family that I have all this nervous energy because all I want to do is sit next to her and hold her hand, kiss her, and show them all that she’s mine, but I can’t. So, I shake my head, take my sister’s advice, and suck it up.

‘Merida.’

Bo’s excited call lets me know that she’s here, and I head back inside to find her laughing down at my baby girl, with Harley circling them, her tail wagging and mouth wide open like she’s the center of the party.

‘You do know my name is Cara,’ she says, reaching out to pet Harley and Bowie giggles.

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