Page 41 of More Than Falling in Love

She buries her face between her knees, then turns back to face me.“I lost my mom when I was fifteen.Dad was a mess.He was never not a good dad, but seeing him hurting, I felt like I couldn’t cry on his shoulder.”

I reach over and brush a tear off her cheek.“I’m sorry.”

“We had a neighbor.She was like ninety.And she had cookies ready every afternoon when I got home from school.And for the hour before my dad got home, she and I would chat.She asked to hear stories about my mom.She taught me how to boil an egg, which is about the only thing I can cook.But mostly, she was just there.”After wiping her face, she sighs.“Mason is a lot younger than I was, but I know what it feels like.And… he’s lucky to have you.”

If she keeps talking, I’m going to cry, and I haven’t done that since my wife left.Not true.The first time Mason called me Daddy, I cried into my pillow that night.

“I’m giving it my best.”

“And that’s enough.”She rubs my shoulder.“He’s so much like you.”

“He is, isn’t he?Poor kid.”My comment earns me a laugh.“Things with his mom weren’t good before she died.But I’ve worked hard to shield him from any bad feelings I had toward her.”I hadn’t said his mom’s name for years until the funeral.After that day, I fell right back into my old ways.

“You have a shiny heart of gold, Kent.That’s obvious to me.”

“It’s a lot more scuffed than anyone else knows.”I meet her gaze.“But I don’t want to talk about why.”

She nods.“I know.That’s why you rode on ahead today.And it’s okay.Being friends doesn’t mean I have to know everything that’s ever happened to you.”

I need the conversation to shift because the mortar in my walls is showing cracks.“What color was your dress?”

“Crimson.”

I shouldn’t have asked.Now in my dreams, she’ll be wearing a crimson dress.And I imagine she looks amazing in that color.

She stands and walks toward the steps.“Also, when you meet someone and having me call every night becomes an intrusion, you can tell me.I’ll understand.”

Shaking my head, I set my guitar in the chair and move to her.“That’s never going to happen.”I wait for her to meet my gaze, but she never does.

“It will.You’re a catch, and one day, some woman in the area will tug at your soul.”The last word catches, and she sighs.“I should go.”

How do I reassure her that I’m committed to being single forever?And I’m a complete heel for relishing the jealous edge in her voice.

“Hey.”I reach for her.“I guess I’m like an onion.Lots hidden under the top layer, and I make people cry.”

With a laugh, she leans into me.“And you’re funny.”

I wrap my arms around her.“I’m glad we’re friends, Flutter.I like spending time with you.Not just because you treat Mason so well, but because you’re just plain awesome.”

“Thanks.”After dragging a sleeve across her face, she leaves, and I stare until she disappears around the corner of the house.

I’m not sure I’ve ever been so honest with a woman.It’s probably a good thing she lives so far away.

Chapter 15

Poppy

It’s late when I get back to my apartment, which is eerily quiet.Like a good daughter, I shoot off a text to my dad.

Me:Made it home safe.Love you!

Dad:Thanks for letting me know.Love you too.

With my suitcase on the bed, I unpack, separating what needs to be washed from what needs to be put away.Thankfully Ava let me take care of the nasty clothes, so I don’t have cow-water yuck smell inside my suitcase.

On my trip home, I participated in reading time during my layover and kept Mason on the phone a few extra minutes, showing him the planes.Between the wonders of giant planes and what he wanted to tell me about butterflies, I’m sure Kent thought the kid would never go to bed.

But the moment of epiphany for me was when the pilot announced our arrival at the JFK airport.The little thrill of being home didn’t come.And I’m not sure what to make of that.

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