Page 15 of The Art of Being Merry

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To ask how the kids are. Make sure my babies are okay.

How’s it going?

Swell

I wait for more to come in, but when nothing does, I reply again.

Care to elaborate?

“Does Atlas need more Legos? Is Jace into them yet?” Willa’s question draws my attention toward her. How did we get back to this aisle? Why am I so lost in my head today?

Dax.

He’s got me all twisted up in knots.

Well, not only him. More so Willa telling me he’s not more than what he seems. As if I thought otherwise.

Except, isn’t he? Would I have considered he’d be the guy to volunteer to watch my kids for the morning? To bring us breakfast and coffee? To color?

No, not even a little.

“We’ve got plenty of Legos, but Atlas will tell you he can never have enough.”

“Super. I’ll pick up a set for each of them.” I point out ones we don’t have since they’re brand-new, and she adds them to her overflowing cart.

A text alert returns my focus to my phone.

*selfie of Dax and the boys in the same spot on the couch*

We’ve gotten up to pee and get drinks but they seem into this movie. How’s shopping?

I dragged Willa with me. I understand your earlier comments. I’m not sure I see the appeal, but she seems very content in wasting time wandering around the aisles

The more you do it, the easier it gets

Do you speak from experience? ‘Cause it sounds that way . . .

I bite my lip. Is this crossing the line into flirting? Because we’re not talking about the kids anymore, and that’s the only reason I should text with Dax, right?

Told ya. Autumn and Heidi do it

But you seem way invested in it. I’m thinking that maybe it’s something you do. Or have done

I hit send without thinking through the consequences of what I’m doing.

Trust me when I tell you when I’m wasting time by myself it’s not shopping at Target

I gasp. I’m not sure exactly what he’s implying, but I have an inkling.

Before I get my fingers to type a response—how do I even respond—another message comes through.

Mind doing me a favor while you’re there?

Sure

Send me some pics of their ugly sweaters. Like the ugliest ones

Uh, sure?

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