Page 49 of Between Now and Forever
“Hi. I’m Gabby. I wanted to say thank you for keeping an eye on Carter the other day. My son Dylan said he met you and gave Carter permission to go with you.”
“I hope that’s okay.”
I smile. “Of course. I just didn’t want you to think I was a bad mom. We’d never met before, and my little boy just traipses off with you to the park.”
She laughs. “I make it a habit never to judge moms. I know how hard it is. Besides, Dylan was very polite and got my name.”
He did? He didn’t share it with me.
“And I saw Jay Stetson working on your deck,” she says. “I thought if you had a problem with me taking Carter, Jay could assure you I’m not a childnapper.”
“Yes, he did mention that he knew you and your husband.”
Freya gives the baby in the stroller a pacifier. “We need to get moving, or my little lovebug in here will start screaming like she has for the last five hours.” She laughs. “The joys of motherhood.”
“Good luck.”
“I’ll just drop Carter off as we walk by in an hour or so,” she says.
“That’s perfect. I’ll be home by then.”
She nods, gathers the kids, and heads for the park.
Just as I’m about to return to Cricket’s, a black truck comes down the road. It slows as it approaches and rolls to a stop next to me.
Jay slides sunglasses off his face. He looks over my head and gives Cricket a little wave. Then he turns his sights on me.
“Are you any more agreeable this afternoon than earlier this morning?” he asks, grinning.
That grin could melt an iceberg.
I return his grin. “I’m always agreeable, Jay. I don’t know what you mean.”
He chuckles, the sound electrifying the air between us.
“Where are you off to?” I ask.
“I’m headed to the grocery store. Since I’ll be home all week, I gotta grab breakfast and lunch stuff.” He licks his lips. “What are you up to?”
“Cricket made dinner. We’re just sitting out here and enjoying the day. I’m probably going to head home soon and try to get a bit of work done.”
“Oh. What kind of work do you do?”
“I name babies.”
His eyes go wide. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”
“No.” I laugh. “I name babies as a side hustle.”
“People pay you for that?”
My laughter gets louder, and I don’t bother to reply.
“All right,” he says, shifting in his seat. “I better go. Enjoy your Sunday.”
I tap his truck and take a step back. He pulls away slowly. Once he’s down the road, he picks up his speed. The rumble of the engine growls through the air.
“What was that all about?” Cricket asks.
