Page 23 of The Sweet Part
“You’re forgiven.”
She lifts her head and grins. “Have you ever been in a pool with a slide? I went once at Brittany’s birthday party.”
“Sure have.”
May sighs. “Sophie, go put something warmer over that outfit. It’s the middle of winter. Mason, would you like some coffee before you start? I could use some too.”
I consider the invitation, the two of us sitting at her kitchen table. Too close.
“No, thanks.” I gesture toward the stairs. “I’ll get started in the second bedroom.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep Sophie out of your way.”
“I have a big family. I’m used to focusing in chaos. Not that Sophie’s chaos. I’m sure she’s very manageable or whatever the parent term is for kids being kept in line.”
Her hazel eyes dance with amusement. “Parenting.”
“Right.” I head toward the stairs, embarrassed. I don’t have to worry about keeping my distance. I do it without even trying by saying the wrong thing. You don’t manage kids, you parent them. It’s not a corporation.
I get to work, focused intently on repairing drywall. Loud thumps come from the ceiling above like Sophie’s jumping on all the furniture or dancing. Is May with her? What do a mom and daughter do all day when there’s no school? At our house growing up, I had built-in friends with my brothers. May must have to be like Sophie’s friend sometimes.
Stop thinking about May and her life with Sophie.
I hear May talking to someone, probably on the phone. Whom does she spend time with? Her twin, Alice, I know that. Does she have a big family too? I have so many aunts, uncles, and cousins, all local.
Damn, it’s like the more I try not to think about May, the more I think about her. Is this a forbidden-fruit deal?
* * *
I close my toolbox, satisfied with today’s work. I got a good portion of the list done. I’ll still need to return to go over the drywall two more times and install the rest of the light fixtures.
I walk downstairs to the delicious smell of dinner in the oven. Something with cheese and tomato, I think. My stomach growls. I only had a protein bar for lunch because I figured the faster I finished here, the better. I’ll just let May know I’m going.
“May?”
She appears from the kitchen on my right. “Hey! Are you finished?”
“For now. Deer fence is fixed, some light fixtures are installed, and I patched the drywall spots, but I’ll need to go over the drywall twice more and finish the lights. Two more days, and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Okay, thanks so much. Let me just grab my purse.”
I hold up a palm. “No payment needed.”
She presses her lips together in a flat line. “I need to give you something. Free night at the inn once it’s open?”
Last thing I need is to sleep close to where she’s sleeping. I’ll probably be up all night.
I shake my head. “No, thanks. Save it for your paying customers.”
“Stay for dinner, then. There’s plenty, or I could make a dish for you to go.”
Sophie yells from behind me, “Stay! Have dinner with us.”
I turn as Sophie bounds down the stairs, still wearing her boots, but now she’s wearing warmer clothes—a long-sleeved shirt and skirt with pants underneath. She’s also wearing a birthday party hat with multicolored polka dots.
“I am hungry,” I admit.
“It’s ziti!” Sophie exclaims. “My favorite.”
