Page 119 of Our Long Days
“Oh. Umm, why?” I fiddle with my ring.
Graham hooks an arm around my shoulder and carts me toward the main cabin. “Let’s sit and talk. I’m tired of carrying Booth around.”
Dex never locks his front door, and once inside, the three of us sit on the sofa. Graham props his phone up on the coffee table, and then three pairs of eyes turn on me. I’m antsy. I know why they’re here. It’s the conversation I’ve avoided since my outburst at dinner.
Patrick blows out a breath, dragging a hand through his messy hair. “I’m not really sure where to start, other than I’m sorry, Florence.”
Graham and Booth nod along.
“Having spoken with my wonderful, intuitive wife, I can seehow I might’ve come across as overbearing, especially since you returned from traveling. Had I known you were going through your own shit, I wouldn’t have pushed so much.”
“I know you wouldn’t, and that’s partly my fault.” I glance at the ceiling. “Being diagnosed was a huge relief and a clusterfuck at the same time. I thought getting out of town would help, and it did—temporarily…”
Concern laces Graham’s voice. “Why did you come home early?”
“My money ran out.” Embarrassment heats my cheeks. “I didn’t want to worry anyone or ask for a handout, so…I took out a loan. Not an affordable one either. That’s why getting a job was so important and taking one at the restaurant felt like cheating. This is my mess.” I chew on my nail. “I also didn’t want to use my ADHD as an excuse. Managing finances is something neurodivergent people struggle with.”
“Flo, we’d never hold anything like that against you,” Booth says softly through the speaker.
“I know that now, but the three of you are so put together, with your lives in order.”
They all share a look before bursting into laughter.
Patrick reclines in his seat. “There are days I’m terrified of fucking up so epically, Lottie will grow to resent me. Life can be tough, but I’ve learned to find balance and not take the small things for granted.”
“It’s only recently I’ve gotten my shit together. I’ll be making mistakes in ten, twenty years’ time.” Graham nudges his foot with mine. “And that’s okay.”
Booth clears his throat. “I understand why delivering your envelope didn’t land how I’d hoped.”
My chest tightens at the reminder of how excited I was to read Dad’s letter, only to be assaulted by heartache. “I was angry I didn’t receive a letter at first. The list made me feel closer to Dad again, and it brought me closer to someone else.”
My eyes flick to Patrick.
His expression is partway between a grimace and a smile. “Still getting used to that.”
“Me too.” I chuckle. “One day, he’s going to wake up and realize what a mistake he made.”
Graham and Booth find my joke amusing. Pat, not so much.
His smile is soft, genuine. He looks so much like our dad at this moment. “Nah, Flo. He’s going to wake up every day and see what a remarkable woman you are. I can’t imagine a more perfect person to see my best friend grow old with.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
florence
Our list
• Download Pinterest app ?
• Ask Quinn how Pinterest works ?
• Redecorate office for my favorite employee ?
• Enroll in business management classes ?
• Take my girl on a date
First date jitters are normal.
