“Are we ready to go?” I grab my keys and stuff them in my pocket. It’s Friday night and we’re going to meet Nick and Jessa for dinner as planned.
“I can’t find my shoes!” Jack yells.
“They’re in the garage where you left them.”
“Oh.”
“Can I wear dis?” Emma twirls, showing off her bright pink shirt, polka dot skirt, and yellow cowgirl boots.
“You certainly can. You look like a rainbow cowgirl.”
Emma laughs and runs to Nora, who is sitting on the couch putting Henry’s shoes on. “I’m a wainbow cowgirl!”
“You’re the most beautiful rainbow cowgirl I’ve ever seen,” Nora says, tickling her belly.
She finishes tying Henry’s shoes and stands him up. He walks across the floor with a big, toothy grin.
“I think we’re ready,” Nora says, grabbing her purse. She flings it over her shoulder and doesn’t bother to look at me as she walks out of the house with Emma and Henry hot on her heels.
It’s been this way since the other night after the tub incident.
“That can’t happen again.”
Those damn words keep echoing in my head. I finally worked up enough courage and was ready to say something to her, but then she showed up the next morning with a polite smile and acted as if nothing had happened.
I played along, because what else was I supposed to do? Apparently, she wants to put it out of her mind, and I’m trying to do the same. But damn, that’s hard to do when I remember how explosive we were, and what it could’ve led to.
I just hope things start to feel easier as time passes, because otherwise it’s going to be a long summer, and that little trip to LA is going to be awkward as fuck.
“What car are we taking, dad?” Jack yells.
“The Challenger.”
“Yes!” He pumps his fists and runs to the car. “This one is my favorite.”
Nora looks at me and lifts an eyebrow. “How many cars do you have?”
“Only two.” We all climb in, and I look at Nora. “Want me to put the top up?”
I usually leave it down when it’s nice, but it looks like she spent a lot of time on her hair, and I don’t want to mess it up.
“No, I’m okay. I like to feel the wind.” She leans down and pulls an elastic band out of her purse and secures her hair. “What year is this car?”
I look at her, stunned that she asked. The only other people in my life who show any interest in my love for cars are Jack and my dad. “Nineteen seventy. Bought it from a junkyard when I was nineteen and restored it myself.”
“It’s beautiful.”
I stare at Nora in awe and then growl when one of the kids kicks the back of the seat.
“Sorry,” Jack says. “Can we go now? I’m starving.”
The trip into town doesn’t take long, and when we walk into Chuck’s, we spot Nick and Jessa at a giant table in the back. They wave us over, and the kids take off.
When we get close, Jessa jumps up and hugs Nora. “I’ve missed you. I got used to having another girl around, and now it’s just me and this lug,” she says, gesturing to Nick.
“You can come hang with me and the kids anytime.”
“So you’re watching them?” Nick says, opening the pack of crayons on the table for the kids.