Easy (Chicago Blaze 6)

“No, it’s not. You got the front last time.”

“No, you did.”

“When we picked you up from that soccer clinic, you got the front,” Vi says, sliding into the front seat.

“Oh yeah.” Hazel swings her backpack into the back seat and then gets in the car.

“Where’s this party at?” I ask. “Will the parents be home?”

“It’s at Malia Parks’ house. It’s a pool party. And yes, her parents will be there.”

“What’s their house number? I’m going to call to make sure.”

Vi rolls her eyes. “Of course you are.”

“I know, it’s a real drag when someone cares about you,” I say dryly.

“Anyway, back to you and Erik. Is he your boyfriend?”

“No.”

“Aunt Allie, you need to get back with him. He loves you so much, I can tell.”

“I love him, too. But sometimes it takes more than love.”

“Mom said you guys were going to get married. Before Grandma and Grandpa died.”

I clutch the steering wheel hard, angry that Jenna would dare even talk about our parents and the plans I had for my life before they passed away.

“Things change, Vi.”

“But you could marry him now. You guys could live in Chicago and we could live with Mom and come see you and go to hockey games. Wouldn’t that be great?”

“Will you just drop it?” Hazel says from the backseat. “I’m never living with her.”

“I just—”

I cut Vi off before she can say more. “Seriously, enough. You’ve said everything there is to say about it.”

She sighs dramatically. “Fine. But can Mom at least come over for dinner before the party tonight? I want to see her. I can’t even text her since you took my phone away.”

“I’m not eating dinner with her,” Hazel says firmly.

“Come on!” Vi turns to glare at her. “She really wants to see you. You can just sit there and say nothing like always if you want.”

“No one gets a chance to talk when you’re around anyways,” Hazel mutters.

“Just…please do it, okay?” Vi begs. “Just dinner. One little dinner.”

There’s silence. I’m sure Hazel’s going to hold her ground, but she says, “Fine.”

“You’re okay with it?” I ask, surprised.

“Just dinner. That’s it. She’s not staying with us and I’m still going to the party.”

Vi grins back at her sister. “Thank you.” She turns to me. “Will you text Mom to invite her since I don’t have my phone?”

“Sure.”

I pull up in front of the school and the girls get out.

“Have a good day!” I call to them.

“Bye, love you,” Vi says, waving.

Hazel looks back at me and waves too, almost smiling.

They’re both at that awkward in-between age. I remember it well. I was only a little older than they are now when I met Erik. I was gangly, with a mouth full of braces.

Life is easier now than it was when I had three young kids at the same time. I never had any time for myself back then. But it’s bittersweet, seeing them grow into adults with their own personalities. They’re all different, but I love them all the same.

I get to Fox Foods and park. As soon as I get to the manager’s office, Kelly is waiting in the doorway with a huge grin.

“Hey, what’s up?” I say.

“Oh, not much.”

She steps aside and I walk into the office, where a huge vase loaded with two dozen red roses sits on the desk.

“Did you get that from Ross?” I ask, smiling back at her.

“Are you kidding me? Ross has sent me flowers a total of one time, and I found out later it was actually his mom who did it and signed his name to the card. God help me, I love my husband, but he is the least romantic man ever. Those are for you.”

“Me?” I walk over and pick up the card, which is sealed.

I open it and see a message in Erik’s trademark handwriting—all caps, super neat.

ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL. LOVE, ERIK

I put my hand over my mouth, reading the words again and again.

“Allie, he’s amazing,” Kelly gushes. “When he came in to order those, he paid Bruce twenty bucks to distract you so you wouldn’t accidentally walk over there and see.”

I laugh. “So you’re saying Bruce didn’t really need me to explain the deductions from his paycheck seven times?”

“No. And I’m serious, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man so…god, he’s just handsome. That smile and those muscles. I get it now. Why Hairy Larry was such a giant disappointment. Why every man in Greentree Falls would be a disappointment compared to him. He adores you.”

I lean down to smell one, taking in the sweet scent.

“He is amazing. But he’s in Chicago and I’m here. I don’t know how we can get around that.”

“I’d be packing my shit right now if I were you.”

“Max’s dad is here,” I remind her. “And he’s a good dad. He’s supported Max and spent time with him his entire life. Next year is Max’s senior year, too. It would devastate him to not play football or run track with his teammates and finish high school with his friends.”