Tough Cookies (New Year New Me 1)

“Who could blame her?” I ask. I bump her hip with mine. “I think we should let your Mommy lead this lesson. She’s worked really hard this month.”

Clem pokes out her lips in thought. “Okay.”

The joy that lights up Tilly’s eyes is blinding. I hang back, letting her take the lead as she flawlessly executes the recipe, using all the things I’ve taught her.

“You look like you could use a little more flower over there.” Tilly tosses a bit at me and Clem, who giggles. “We can’t stand for that, can we, Clem?” I ask.

“No!” We retaliate, and the kitchen turns into a winter wonderland. When the flour settles, we freeze the dough after cutting it into crowns.

“You know, I’m not opposed to a dessert before dinner, but maybe we could treat Anders to a meal since he helped us,” Tilly says.

“Pizza?” Cleo asks hopefully.

“Since this is a special occasion, I think that would be okay. But you have to go get cleaned up.” Clem takes off before she can say more, and I laugh.

“She’s a great kid.”

“Thanks. You were good with her.”

“I like kids. Plus, I’m the oldest of three brothers and a ton of cousins. I’ve done my share of ba

bysitting over the years.”

“Let me call the pizza in, and then you can help me clean up the kitchen since you tried to overthrow me.”

I move around the kitchen, starting the cleanup process. I’ve become relatively familiar with the house over the past few weeks.

She returns. “Wow, you cook and clean without being goaded.”

“Your expectations are pretty low.”

Her smile falters, and I find myself wondering about her life with her ex once more.

“They might be.”

“Your ex-husband was a real dick, wasn’t he?”

Her gaze sweeps the room quickly. “Yeah. He was, and what’s worst was how long it took me to figure that out.”

“I’m sorry.”

She smiles. “Better late than never, I suppose. In some ways, I guess he did me a favor.”

Clem returns dressed in a pair of button-up mermaid pajamas. Her hair has been pulled up into a bun.

“I’m ready, Mom.”

“Good job, kidlet.” Tilly raises her hand, and Clem gives her a high five.

“The pizza will be here in twenty minutes or so. Enough time to help Anders finish cleaning up this mess.” As we wipe down the counters, I can’t help but think about another event that happened here days earlier. She catches my eyes, and her cheeks pinken. Smiling, I return to the counter. I don’t mind taking things slow. I’m more concerned with building what’s between us to last.

Pizza is eaten at the table before we retire to the living room to watch Lilo and Stitch. Clem falls asleep, cuddled up beside her mom under a pastel unicorn blanket.

“She’s out like a light. Let me carry her to bed.” Carefully freeing herself, she slips her arms under Clem and lifts her up into her arms.

I watch them disappear down the hallway. “I’ll be here.”

I smile when she comes back dressed in a pair of pink, leopard print, fuzzy pajamas and a fuzzy pink sweater top. “I have a confession ... it’s nearing my bedtime, too.”