Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“We’ll take a bucket of popcorn, a box of M&M’s, and two large sodas. One Coke, the other Sprite.” Hayden looked at Devy for confirmation. She nodded. Hayden paid and then walked to the end of the counter.
While they waited, Hayden played scenarios over in his mind on how he was going to carry their snacks and hold Dev’s hand back to the truck. No matter which way he configured things in his mind, hand-holding was out.
After they got their things, Hayden put the candy in his back pocket and carried the sodas while Devy wrapped her arm around the warm bucket of popcorn and started munching on pieces.
“Is there going to be any left for me?”
“I’m not sorry,” she said, laughing. “I love the warm buttery pieces. In my mind I know I should try and shake them to the middle of the bucket, but my stomach is like, ‘Give me.’ I caved.”
Hayden chuckled and shook his head.
They reached the truck, and Hayden set their drinks down and then contemplated whether he would be able to pry the bucket from Devorah’s arm. He held his hand out. She looked from him to the popcorn, sighed heavily, and gave him her free hand. Hayden laughed hard—until Devy’s foot slipped, and she almost fell. Hayden caught her before she hit the ground. Miraculously, none of their popcorn spilled.
“Shit, are you okay?”
“Yes, thanks to you,” she said. “I think your truck hates me.”
“Well, I can’t have that. I guess I need to buy a new one.” Hayden scooped Devy into his arms, much to her shock, and set her on the tailgate. He didn’t want to risk any more incidents. As soon as she moved out of the way, he hopped into the back and brought their drinks to where they’d sit and watch the movie.
Hayden poured the candy into the bucket of popcorn and gave it a good shake. Thanks to Devorah eating most of the top layer off, there was some room to avoid any spillage. He set it between them, adjusted the volume on the radio so he wouldn’t have to do it when the movie started, and then took his spot next to Devy.
“It’s a beautiful night,” she said as the sun continued to disappear over the horizon.
“You know, for the first few months after Sofia died, I hated nights. Most of them were sleepless. I’d lay in bed and stare at the ceiling, asking myself the same questions over and over. ‘Why didn’t I insist on driving her? Why didn’t I tell her I’d pick her up at a certain time? What the hell am I going to do now? How do I raise Conor?’”
“I think things would be easier if . . .” Devorah trailed off. “I know it’s mean to say, but then I wouldn’t have minor panic attacks when my phone rings or be afraid to look at a video on the app. I used to enjoy scrolling, watching funny dog videos or learning a new recipe. They took so much away from me because of how selfish they are.”
Hayden reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I suspect the video dies down eventually?”
Devorah shrugged. “Once it’s on the internet, it’s there for life. I tell Maren this all the time. It’s such a scary place. Everyone is always going to remember the video of the mistress coming clean, but no one is going to care about the damage it’s done to me and my daughter.”
“Conor and I will just have to work harder to help you and Maren overcome it all.”
Devorah smiled. “Maren really likes Conor. He’s a great kid.”
“Thanks. I wish I could take all the credit, but I can’t. Sofia was a great mom.”
“I’m really sorry you lost her.”
He was as well.
But then he wouldn’t be sitting next to Dev.
His heart was torn.
The movie screen changed from advertisements to previews for upcoming flicks. Hayden moved closer to Devorah and spread the blanket he’d brought across their laps. She also inched closer to where their shoulders touched.
At some point during the movie, she reached for his hand. Hayden tried not to smile, but he couldn’t hold back. Halfway through, he put his arm around her shoulder, and she snuggled into his chest.
During the second movie, he found himself watching her more than what was playing on the screen. Each time she laughed, his heart soared. The sound was like music to his ears. He thought back to the day he’d given her a ride in the rain. She was a shell of herself. In the days they’d spent together since, she had blossomed, and the girl he remembered had begun to return. Devorah was beautiful. Now and then.
She looked at him. The wide grin she had stayed. Hayden trailed his finger along her cheek, and then he tilted her chin up, angling her lips to meet his. It may have taken a handful of years, but he was kissing Devorah Crowley again, and this time he wasn’t going to let her go.