Page 3 of The Forever Play

Mom rests her head on his broad shoulder. “Rusty is a good guy. He’s seriously the best.”

“Mom, stop.”

“Okay, fine. If not him, then someone else. Just promise me you’ll stay open to the idea of falling in love again. I know you got burned once and you’re afraid to move on, but there are good people out there, and one of them is just waiting for you to find him.”

How do I even respond to that?

Romance is the last thing on my mind right now.

Don’t they get that I’ve moved to a new town? I know no one except Russell, and simply navigating life is a challenge all its own. I don’t have the time or brainpower for romance. Zoey takes most of my attention. When would I even fit a date in?

And just to prove my point, Zoey runs back into the room singing, “Pak, pak, pak!”

Jumping onto my lap, she accidentally digs her kneeinto my stomach, and I let out a soft “Oof” before wrapping up the call.

“Love you, girls!” Mom and Dad wave and blow kisses at us.

We do the same and I hang up, trying to shake off my parents’ unsettling suggestions.

Romance. Love.

Seriously. They’re delusional.

“So, you guys ready to go?” Russell claps his hands together.

I look up from the couch at him, forcing a smile. I didn’t realize he wanted to come too. Why am I not jumping all over the idea? It’s always handy having two sets of eyes on my little girl.

But Mom’s comments have really thrown me.

Is he really sweet on me?

My stomach curls into an uncomfortable knot.

Ugh, Russell crushing on me would be so awkward. I just want to be friends with the guy. He’s helping me out while my parents are away. That’s it.

When he suggested I move in with him, I figured why not? We’ve been friends forever. I trust him like a brother. He could help with Zoey. Logically, it works.

But if I’d realized he had a thing for me, I wouldn’t have said yes.

Please let my mother be delusional.I so don’t want to have to deal with this!

I shake my head and smile at Russell. “You don’t have to come. I know you’ve had a really busy week, and it’s only going to get more hectic as the hockey season kicks into full swing. You should take the chance to put yourfeet up and relax. Why don’t you watch one of those documentaries you love?”

His eyes dart to the TV. I knew he’d love my doco suggestion. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, totally. We’ll be about an hour, so you should seriously take the chance to get yourself a little peace and quiet.” I bulge my eyes at him while Zoey dances around my feet, still singing the word “pak” and getting louder by the second.

He laughs, brushing his fingers through her curls and smiling at me. “As long as you’re sure.”

“Yeah, totally. I can handle the park on my own. I totally know the way now and promise not to get lost this time.”

He gives me a skeptical smirk. “Just call me if you need anything, okay?”

“Absolutely.” Picking up my daughter, I perch her on my hip and walk out of the room to get ready, relieved that Russell didn’t insist on coming with us like he did last time.

As soon as Zoey is geared up for the park, smelling like sunscreen and wearing the cute little hat Russell bought her last week, I walk her out to the main living area and start buckling her into the stroller.

Russell helps me carry the stroller down the two front steps and squints against the sunshine as he gazes down at me. “Promise to call me if you need me?”

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