Page 59 of Beautiful Mess

But it doesn’t.

Twenty-Six

Grace

“Mom, can we get these?”

Glancing over at Beau and the giant bag of chips in his hand, my face scrunches up. “My gosh, those look vile. Why are they blue?”

“They’re the Blue Heat Taki’s, duh!” Blakely says with all of the attitude of a ten-year-old.

“Well, they look like an extended stay on the toilet,” I mutter under my breath as my phone dings in my purse. As I pull it out, I notice I have two new texts. One from my sister, and the other from Conway. The latter has a small smile tugging at my lips, but before I have a chance to open it, my attention is pulled back to my son.

“Can we, Mom?” Beau pushes. “Please?”

“Honey, we’re getting all these sub sandwiches and fruit to have at Aunt Georgia’s in a bit.”

Speaking of, I open her message, which is written in all caps.

Georgia: CAN YOU GRAB WINE, PLEASE?? I JUST DROPPED THE BOTTLE I HAD AND IT SHATTERED ALL OVER MY FLOOR. *crying emoji*

Me: Smooth, Georg.

Georgia: Shut up, I know. Not my finest moment. You haven’t left the store yet, have you?

Me: Nope, I’m still here. I’ll grab a couple bottles.

“I can eat the chipswiththe sandwiches and fruit,” Beau persists.

“I want some!” Blakely chimes in, messing with the half a dozen friendship bracelets covering her wrist.

“And Sutton likes them too. Please, Mom?”

“Fine, but that’s it.”

Beau tosses them in the cart before Blakely pushes it down the aisle toward the checkout area. I glance back down at my phone, noticing a response from my sister.

Georgia: Have I told you that you’re my favorite sister lately?

I chuckle.

Me: No, but you say this like I don’t already know. *angel emoji*

Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I exit out of her message and open Conway’s.

Conway: What are some good smelling scents?

Me: Well, hello to you too. And I’m going to need some context if you want me to answer that.

Conway: Scents for baths.

Me: Like, bubbles?

What a random question.

Conway: Sure.

Me: I’m going to be honest with you. I did not picture you as a bath guy, but it’s kinda hot.

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