Page 59 of Butter My Biscuit

“We just got lost in the heat of the moment.”

He laughs. “Yeah. I should probably get goin’. Had a long day.”

I move around the counter and give him some to-go containers full of food. “Lunch for tomorrow.”

“Thanks, princess. Have a good night. If you can’t sleep, call me.”

“Will do,” I tell him.

He stands and hugs me, and then I follow him to the door. I lean against the frame, watching him go to his truck. He looks back at me over his shoulder, wearing a smirk. Then, he turns around, pretending to lasso me as he walks backward. I play along, jolting forward and out the door. He shakes his head, then gets in his truck and leaves.

Once inside my condo, I lean against the door, holding my hand to my heart. That line should never be crossed ever again because I’m not sure we’ll have Haley around to bring us back to reality. And once that cat is out of the bag, there is no putting it back in. It might already be too late.

* * *

It’s been seven days since Harrison and I crossed the line. Neither of us have mentioned it.

I carry grocery bags into my mom’s house since she asked me to pick some things up before coming over. Christmas is next week, and she wanted to meet beforehand since she’ll be hosting my sister and her fiancé. Plus, she’s noticed I’ve been avoiding everyone after Joey and I broke up.

When I walk in, Mom is in her office, typing away on her laptop.

She takes her glasses off her nose and looks up at me. “You’re already here?” She looks at the gold watch on her wrist, then back up at me. “Lost track of time again.”

“It’s fine,” I tell her.

She walks over and grabs some bags from my hands, and we go to the kitchen to put them away.

“How have you been?” she asks, stacking packets of tuna fish in the cabinet.

“I’ve been fine.”

“Why’d you say it like that?” She turns and looks at me, and I try not to cry. “Aww, honey. I’m sorry.”

Mom wraps her arms around me, just like she did when I was a kid, and it’s comforting.

“It’s fine. I’m just tired of being the one who can’t find someone to love them.”

She sighs and wipes away my tears. “You will, honey. If I can find love again in Charles, you’ll find it too. But in the meanwhile, you gotta live your life.”

Charles is the man my mom fell in love with five years after her and my father’s nasty divorce. My stepdad is a great guy.

“I’m gonna try, Mama. I am. I just really thought I’d have something other than a failed relationship to bring to my sister’s wedding with me.”

“Aww, sweetie. It’s not a competition. I know it hurts right now, but when you get married, you’ll be thankful every single one of those failed relationships happened and led you to that very moment, ya know?”

“Yes,” I say, nodding, knowing as soon as I spoke to my mom, I would cry. It’s why I’ve been ignoring her calls.

“Oh,honey.”She gives me a hug as I wipe away my tears and put on a smile. “It’s all going to be just fine. It will.”

“I know. Now, about Christmas dinner.”

She pushes my hair over my shoulder, and I look at her.

“Would you be opposed to somethin’ like lasagna? I don’t think I can eat any more turkey, or I might turn into one. Especially after Thanksgiving.”

I snort. “You got a twenty-pound bird for me, you, and Charles. But honestly, I would love that.” Then, I remember something. “Isn’t Savannah vegetarian now?” I’m pretty sure the last time I spoke to my sister, she told me that.

Last year, she moved to California, started recycling, and then got with a surfer. In a few months, she’ll be married.

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