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And for the first time since I’ve arrived, I actually feel like Hols and I are right where we’re supposed to be.

“So, how is he?” my mom asks as she fries up grilled cheese. I watch Hollie through the kitchen window in the yard with my dad and their Yorkies playing fetch.

“Who?”

She turns to face me as I sip my iced tea.

“Your star patient who needed your phone number for medical reasons.” She grins.

I sigh. “I think I’m just coming to the conclusion that it’s just time to let past conflicts go, there’s no reason we can’t be civil or friendly even,” I tell her.

“I think he’s got a lot more hidden beneath that cool surface than you realize,” my mother says, flipping the two sandwiches in her pan.

“Of course you do.” I laugh as I drain my glass.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asks, sounding hurt.

“Nothing, you just always defend him.”

She turns to face me. “I don’t always defend him.” She points her spatula at me. “You know, since Jacob passed he comes here every time your dad needs something. Helped rebuild the shed. They clean the garage out, and do an annual dump run with all the dead limbs and brush from the property. Helps him open and close the swimming pool. Never forgets a birthday, or Christmas. He has his own parents but he’s the son we lost, Violette. I know something happened between the two of you that you refuse to talk about. And I know there’s a part of you that never recovered from that, but take my advice sweetheart,life is too short. If he’s trying to make up for past mistakes, maybe try letting him.”

As she finishes her little speech, a message pops up on my phone.

Rowan

My day nurse just helped me into the fancy hydro bath and I think she tried to sneak a peek.

I laugh, and I hear my mom mutter, “Mm-hmm.”

Bonnie’s seen it all.

And will fuck with him on purpose.

Rowan

Should I be offended or happy that she said it takes a lot to impress her? Am I impressive or not? I might not sleep without the answers to these questions.

I laugh out loud as my mother plates our lunch.

“Guess you don’t need my advice, judging by the look you’re wearing. But take my word for it, Vivi. He’s a good one, give him another chance. He might surprise you.”

I look down at the GIF Rowan has just sent me of Homer Simpson backing into a hedge.

I blow out a breath with my smile.

“So everyone keeps telling me.”

By the end of the day, Hollie and I have visited with my parents and played for over two hours at the local park—which is Hollie’s favorite thing in the world to do. I’ve caught up on all the laundry and tidied the house. It’s been a full day with my baby, and normally I’d be ready to get her bath done and sink into my sofa with a movie, but today I’ve just been distracted.

Distracted waiting for the texts from Rowan that really haven’t stopped since I opened my eyes. Most recently, a selfie of him at lunch when he wooed Betty, the grandmotherly lunch porter, to give him an extra plate of roast beef and potatoes. An update that Bonnie was nicer than Tilly, but she still wouldn’t play cards with him. And finally by suppertime, an invitation to download an app so I could play online Euchre and various games against him.

Which brings me to where I am now; cuddled up on my couch while Hols and I catch what feels like our twentieth episode ofSuperPets,as Ibeat the pants off him at cup pong while sending funny GIFs back and forth every time I do.

Rowan

I’m really very good you know. I’m just letting you win so you’ll keep talking to me.

Oh yeah?

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