Page 2 of Picture Perfect

Autumn smiles again and sits. After ordering a glass of Riesling, she asks, “How are you?”

“I am well, thanks. Busy, like always. If it’s not the kids, it’s work. You know how it goes. How about you? I saw you taking some shots around the dock. Branching out?”

“No, nothing like that. It was such a spectacular sunset, and the light was amazing. I couldn’tnottake pictures after seeing it. At Tonya’s wedding you said Ellie is already in kindergarten. I can’t believe it!”

I nod. “She loves it. Gets to play with her friends and spend the day away from Jonah.”

She giggles. “Sibling rivalry already?”

“Of course,” I say. “I don’t know when it started with me and my brothers, but I’m sure it was around their age.” I don’t know how much I should dive into my kids’ lives. One point of contention between Autumn and Mark was having children, and I don’t want to dig into a sore spot for her. “How is work?”

“Good. I’ve been courting an influencer for a client. I’m not sure I’ll get her—

“You will. I’m certain of it. If they have any idea how good you are, the job is yours.”

Autumn grins again. Her wine came and after a sip, she asked, “Still avoiding the dining room?”

“Until I stop getting the pity stares, yes.”

She nods knowingly. “It’s different, I know, but it drives me crazy, too. I still get them from my family and all our mutual friends.” After a beat, she said, “Except you. I never got them from you. Why is that?”

I shrug. “Probably because I know the pity stares just drudge up everything over and over.”

“They do. It sucks. It’s been over a year, but I am forever branded as the woman who was cheated on. I feel like that’s all I’ll ever be until something else terrible happens.”

“Nope. We’ve hit our terrible things quota for our twenties.”

“So, we have terrible things to look forward to in our thirties?”

I laugh. “I’m sure of it. But I have another eight months before that hits.”

“I always forget you’re a year older than me. The kids keep you young.”

“I doubt you’ll be saying that when Ellie hits her teens. She already has two boyfriends in kindergarten.”

Autumn giggles. “Oh, her teens are going to be fun for you. And her overprotective uncles.”

“Maybethat’sthe terrible thing I have to look forward to in my thirties.” It hits me right then. “I’m going to be in my late thirties when she starts to drive. So I’m pretty sure I’ll start going bald early—

“No way! Your dad has a full head of hair. It’s gray, but it’s there, and if he didn’t lose it over you and your brothers’ teenage years, Ellie won’t bald you.”

“That’s a comforting thought, thanks.” I smile.

“Besides, even if you went bald, you’d still be handsome.”

“That’s nice of you to say. So, before I interrupted you, you looked like you were heading somewhere.”

She lets out a slight huff and checks her phone. “I was going to get ready for a date.” Her last word leaves her cringing.

I already don’t like the guy. “Why the face when you say date?”

“It’s terrible to judge someone by their profile, right?”

“On a dating app?”

She nods. “He has that old quote on his profile, the one about missing a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.”

“Okay, it’s cheesy, but what’s wrong with a little cheese?”

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