Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Sure, you don’t,” she says with a snort. “I love these shoes.”
“So do I,” I reply, happy to change the subject to my favorite topic: fashion. I chat with Maisey and Brooke for about ten minutes before they hurry off.
About thirty minutes before closing time, Max and Alex come out of my office, smiling and joking about something.
It’s a bit alarming to see my son enjoying a man who isn’t his grandfather. It makes me wonder if I’m doing right by him by not being married.
A boy needs a father.
Before I can think about that in depth, Max says, “Alex and I are going to go get some takeout for dinner so it’s ready when you’re done here.”
“Max, you’ve done so much already. You really don’t have to—”
“Are you going to argue with me every time I try to be helpful?” he asks, leaning on the glass of my counter.
“We’re gonna get subs,” Alex informs me. I reach out to smooth the hair on the side of my son’s head. It always wants to stand on end. “I want the ’talian one. With pepperoni.”
“I suppose subs sound good,” I relent and smile at Max. “Thanks. I like turkey.”
“Alex told me,” he says with a wink. “You let us worry about dinner, and we’ll be back in a bit.”
“Yeah, let us worry about it, Mom,” Alex says before hugging me around the middle and then leading Max to the front door. I stand and watch them leave, pulled from my reverie when my mom’s voice surprises me.
“I can handle things here, and you can go with them,” she says.
“I didn’t know you were here.”
“I just came in the back. I wanted to see if you needed my help, but it looks like someone else beat me to the punch.”
I sigh and loop my arm through hers. “It’s new.”
“It’s good,” she says with a smile. “As long as it’s what you want.”
“I don’t hate it,” I admit with a smile.
“Max was always special to you.”
“Is the guilt normal?” I ask, knowing that my mom will understand.
“Yes, and you need to let it go, darling girl. Cary would want you to live your life. He wouldn’t want you to be alone forever.”
“I know,” I whisper. “Alex likes Max.”
“He is a likeable man. He always was.” Mom kisses my cheek. “Want me to close up here?”
“No. There’re only thirty minutes left, and it’s slowed down. I have interviews tomorrow to fill Krista’s position.”
“Hire two,” she advises me. “You need the help.”
I nod, thinking it over. “You’re right. Having the extra help would be nice. And it would free me up more in the afternoons with Alex.”
“Not to mention if you want to play hooky with a handsome someone whose name rhymes with fax.”
I giggle, then roll my eyes. “Since when are you such a romantic?”
“Always have been,” she says. “And it’s time you are, too. Alex is wonderful, but a woman needs more in her life than her children. And you said it yourself, Alex likes him.”
“He does. Well, who knows? It might not go anywhere at all.”
“Just enjoy him,” she advises. “Have a little fun.”
She pats my cheek and smiles. “Now, if you don’t need me, I’ll go get some dinner for Ken and me.”
“How is Ken?” I ask. Mom married Ken about five years ago. He’s ten years younger than she is and treats her like a queen. It’s fun to watch.
“He’s wonderful. And most likely hungry.”
“Tell him I said hi. Let’s get together for dinner this weekend.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll make pot roast.”
Mom leaves just as Max and Alex come back in. Max hugs my mom in greeting and asks her to give his best to Ken when she sees him.
Yes, Max is a likeable man.
He watches me as he walks my way, his eyes happy and full of humor.
“Mom, we got four sandwiches, just in case,” Alex says.
“In case of what?” I ask.
“In case we want more,” Alex replies with a shrug, just the way Max would, and it makes me laugh.
“It’s good to be prepared.”
It doesn’t take me long to close up shop for the night.
“I’ll follow you home,” Max says. “It’s icy. Be careful.”
“Your car—”
“Alex told me all about it,” he interrupts, and I stare at my son in surprise.
“You ratted me out?”
Alex giggles, and Max pushes my hair over my shoulder.
“Do you need a lesson on the car?” he asks.
“Too late. I think I have it figured out now. Oh! Except the mirrors. I can’t figure out how to get them to fold out.”
His lips twitch as he opens the door and pushes a simple button.
“That was not there this morning.”
“Buttons do magically appear,” he says with a nod, and I bump his hip with mine.
“Don’t be a smartass,” I mutter, glaring at him in jest.
“Let’s go, I’m hungry,” Alex says from the backseat of the Range Rover.