Page 62 of The Sweet Part
I grunt, embarrassed because I’m here for his help. Whom else could I turn to? My brothers would laugh their asses off. They’ve never been in love and don’t get it. Cooper’s engaged to Rowan, and before her, he had several relationships. He’s as close to an expert as I’m going to get.
Cooper leans across the bar. “I heard your parents are against a relationship since she has a kid.”
“Yeah, but we were working around it.” My throat closes, and I take a sip of beer. “I just wasn’t done, you know?”
“And she was.”
I blow out a breath and tell him the story of Aunt Claire discovering Sophie and May dumping me because I pushed her on it.
“And she said I’m not part of her family,” I finish.
“Well, you’re not.”
A guy signals for more drinks. Cooper holds a finger up to me and sends refills down the other end of the bar. I finish my beer, feeling worse by the second.
As soon as he returns, I say, “Don’t you see? Sophie is her life. If I’m not part of her family, then I’m not part of her life.”
“And you want to be.”
“Yes, but not like…we were taking it slow.”And slow turned into a dead stop.
“The way I see it, you have two choices—commit to May and Sophie, or walk away.”
“Is it too soon?” I wonder out loud.
“Not when you know it’s right. When you know in here—” he points to his heart “—that she’s the One.”
“You sound like your mom.” His mom, Aunt Hailey, is a wedding planner and unofficial town matchmaker.
“Mom’s a smart lady. May just needs to feel secure in the knowledge that you’re not going anywhere. And don’t step on her toes when it comes to parenting. She’s been in Sophie’s life a lot longer than you have. Gotta earn that kind of trust.”
“How do you know anything about mothers and kids?”
“I listen. You’re not the first person to come to the bar with your tale of woe.”
I snort.Tale of woe. Then I study him for a moment. He’s relaxed and happy. I’m miserable. He knows what he’s talking about. But marriage? Being a dad?
“These things can’t be rushed!” I exclaim.
He calmly collects nearby glasses and sets them in the sink under the bar. “You don’t have to propose, just let her know you’re not going anywhere.”
I leave the bar mulling over what he said. Where’s the line between marriage and I’m not going anywhere? I want to be permanently in her heart, so that means I have to let her permanently into my heart. I’m not sure how to say I’m ready for a commitment. All I can do is try.
I walk back to the inn and ring the bell.
May answers the door, her lips forming an O of surprise. “Mason, I didn’t expect to see you.”
“I’m sorry for overstepping with parenting stuff. I just thought she’d have fun on a movie—”
She steps on the porch and shuts the door behind her. “Shh, I didn’t tell her about that.” She tightens her cardigan around her. “Mason, this is on me. I never should’ve gotten involved with you. It’s just not the right time in my life or Sophie’s.”
My gut churns. “But I like Sophie. She’s a great kid. And you and I are good together. We love each other.”
She frowns. “One day when you’re a parent, you’ll understand.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I blurt in desperation.
She gives me an apologetic look, turns, and goes inside, the door shutting quietly behind her. Sophie peeks out the front window and waves at me. My heart lurches. I give her a wave, but can’t manage a smile.
