Page 28 of Embers in Our Past

I look at Kennedy, my glare murderous. We have always had an unspoken bond, and I swear if she does me dirty, I will never forgive her. Luckily, she seems to read between the lines on this one.

“Honestly, I don’t. I’m the boss, so I have no friends at work, and anyone outside of work is married or dating someone. I’m sorry, Mrs. Nichols.” She cowers a bit when my mom gives her that look only moms have perfected.

“Sweetie, you call me Mom because my River will be marrying you. He’s not dumb enough not to.” She smacks my brother upside the head, which earns her a loud, “Ma, why?” but our mom ignores him. “Or you can call me Mary.”

Kennedy was late to join us for lunch because of her meeting. I thought the minute Kennedy arrived, it would steer my mom’s focus away from me and my dating life, but Mom has been adamant I should be the center of attention today. She has gone through a list of my elementary school love interests, if you can even call them that… I was in grade school, and we still have middle and high school to go through, apparently. I should have had more coffee to prepare for this.

“Ma, why are we doing this?” I ask. Did I say something in my sleep last time I dozed off on her couch or something?

“My sweet, Clay, you are so sad. I can see it in your eyes. Even Lola has noticed, haven’t you, sweet girl?” My mom looks up to speak to Lola.

I look to my right, and my brother’s golden retriever, Lola, rests her head on my arm. That’s right, Lola is my brother’s dog. The fucking dog is mopey around me. I guess I’ve caused my brother’s dog to become depressed.

“Every single time Lola comes back from your place, she’s all sad,” River says with a mouth full of food.

“River, stop being gross,” Kennedy says, pointing to her mouth.

“What is it, Skip? You want a kiss?” he says as he makes a kissy face at her.

She rolls her eyes and moves her face farther from him.

Mom snaps her fingers to grab my attention like I’m some sort of preschooler. “Clay, listen to me. I’m your mother, and I know what’s best for you. I love Abby. She is precious, and I miss her too. But I think it’s best to start moving forward, not back. Maybe one day, things will circle back to her, but now, it’s time to move on and start dating again,” my mother says, bringing her hand to her chin and looking at me with so much hope.

“So, you think diving back into the dating pool with someone from third grade is my best option?” I ask, trying to hold back a laugh. Too bad my brother has no self-control.

Soon enough we are all laughing, including my mother, at one point wiping tears.

“Okay, you’re right. Maybe she’s not the right choice. But will you at least try? I mean, it could be a good idea?”

“Listen, Ma, I get it, and I appreciate the concern. I do. It’s just not the right time for me. I’m not quite ready. Okay?”

She reaches out to grab my hand, and I grab hers.

“Okay, son. I get it. I love you.”

“I love you too. And I know you only do this because I’m your favorite,” I tell her.

“You are,” she says, knowing it will get a rise out of River.

“I’m right here!” he yells in return.

CHAPTER 10

Abby

“Bianca?Really? She’s a two-faced piece of work!” Malloy yells at the television, pointing his spoon as if the contestants ofThe Bachelorcan hear anything he’s saying.

I’m laughing as I devour my own pint of rocky road ice cream and cuddle into the couch a little more. Today is the first snowfall in Boston, and I turn my head and take in the white flakes as they fall outside my window. I’ve loved this time of year since I moved out here for college years ago. Some things don’t change.

“You’re really passionate about his choice,” I tell Malloy.

“Oh, come on, she was the wrong choice. You and I both know that Cora was the right choice for him. She looked at him like he hung the moon. I’m so fucking pissed right now.” He throws his spoon in his tub of ice cream and smacks his hand down his face. He’s really maddened over this. I rub his back to console him but still can’t help the laugh that escapes.

I never thought I’d be spending my evening watchingThe Bachelorwith Tucker Malloy. I look over as he yells at the screen as if the season finale of the show is a World Series game. It’s comical, but the moment I laugh, he glances at me and glares. All it does is make me laugh harder, and he throws a pillow at me.

“This isn’t funny, Abby. He’s making a huge mistake,” he says right when his phone chimes. He looks down and grunts.

“Is it her?” I already know it’s Baylee.

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