Midlife Valentine: A Later in Life Single Mom Romance

“The more the merrier,” I smiled as I led them into the kitchen. “Just let me grab another glass for you, Lacey.”

Pippa dropped down on the cushioned chair with a heavy sigh. “What’s going on Val? You look like you just lost your best friend, and I know that’s not true because I’m right here, just for you. Always.” Her smile was serene and pulled an answering grin from me.

“Thanks. It’s Trey, I’m pretty sure I’ve made a mess of things.” I took a seat at the table and shook my head in defeat.

Pippa turned to Lacey’s wide-eyed expression and laughed. “I know. Let me give you a quick recap.” I sat back and sipped my lemonade while Pippa gave Lacey the abbreviated version of my short relationship with Trey. “And now she’s screwed it up somehow and needs our help. Right?” She turned to me, and I nodded.

“He just got back from Paris, tonight, and I was weird when he showed up.” My skin heated with embarrassment at the way I went stiff in his arms and turned away from his kisses. “We argued after he lavished gifts and love on the girls. All three of the girls I might add.”

“Aww,” Lacey cooed. “That’s sweet.”

“Right?” I shook my head to rid my thoughts of those misguided moments. “He noticed my demeanor right away, and we argued. He accused me of using him for sex, of trying to find a way out of the relationship. Worst of all, he said I never bothered to ask him what he really wanted. He was right, I just assumed.”

“Assumed that he would do what Rodney did?” Pippa’s voice was so full of sympathy I wanted to cry.

“Die?” Lacey was genuinely confused because I hadn’t told anyone the truth except Pippa.

“No,” I sighed. “Rodney served me with divorce papers the day he died. He was leaving me and the girls, but his heart got to him first.” For the first time, it was easier to say.

“Holy crap,” Lacey sighed. “I’m sorry, Valona.”

“Don’t be. I’ve had enough time to sit with it. I’m clearly not all right with it, but I will be.”

“Oh, thank god,” Pip growled and made the classic gimme motion with her hands. “Let’s see the ring.”

I laughed and handed over the velvet bag. “It’s gorgeous, and it’s exactly the right kind of ring for me.”

They examined the ring closely, admiring it with smiles and shared glances. “Wow,” Lacey said first, her brows dipped in confusion once again. “I don’t get it. Trey is gorgeous, beyond gorgeous, he’s great with the kids and he seems to know you well enough to pick out the perfect piece of jewelry for you. What’s the problem? Stevie’s dad didn’t even know my ring size, and we were together for fifteen years.”

I looked at the ring again as Pippa twirled it between her fingers, the ruby twinkling against the overhead kitchen light. “Rodney only ever got me diamonds, which I know, makes me sound like an ungrateful bitch. It was nice that he thought of me, but did he really? I mean, here I am walking around like a damn rainbow I’m so colorful, and he looks at me and thinks, colorless jewelry is what I’ll get her.” And in that moment I finally realized, too late, what Rodney had. We didn’t know each other, not really, and we didn’t grow together. “Oh my god.”

Pippa sat up and dragged her gaze from the ring to my face. “You all right, Val?”

“No, I’m not. Rodney was right. He’d figured it out before I even knew there was anything to figure out. We stopped growing together. I didn’t always dress in such vibrant colors, and he didn’t used to be a workaholic. We grew, but not together.”

“Finally,” Pippa sighed. “Does this mean you will stop punishing Trey for Rodney’s attempt to leave you?”

Did it? “I’m not sure it’s necessary anymore. Trey said he wasn’t done with me, but I don’t know, the way he dropped the ring on the coffee table felt pretty final to me.”

“He gave you jewelry,” Lacey insisted.

“That he bought in Paris, not exactly a quick trip to the mall to return it.”

“You don’t believe that,” Pippa accused. “What did he say? Exactly, Val.”

“That quote, I don’t frighten so easily, and I will get you to open your eyes and see me for the man I am, not the one you’re determined to paint me to be. Whatever that means.”

Lacey snorted. “It seems pretty clear what he means. He intends to prove you wrong.”

I shook my head, unable to believe such a young and vibrant and wonderful man would go to such lengths. For me. “He just thinks that’s the right thing to say.”

“Good lord woman, you’re tap dancing on my last nerve,” Pippa growled. “Her name is Claire Brentwood and she’s thirty-seven years old. She owns a small bookkeeping business in Nashville. No children and never married.”