Duke grins. “And now that Wyatt knows all about wine?—”
“My girl likes her cabernet.” Wyatt shrugs. “So I learned some and drank some more. I’ll drop off a bottle or three at your house tomorrow.”
My eyes burn. I resist the urge to look away. “Thanks.”
“Ella’s going to be fine.” Cash puts a hand on my shoulder. “And so are you. Name the date for your, er, date, and we’ll help you make it happen.”
Wyatt has a wistful look on his face. “Lovers, let them love.”
“Dude.” Ryder rolls his eyes. “You really need to keep that thought to yourself.”
But Cash just laughs. “Loving makes life worth living.”
“All right, Riley Green. Enough with the cheesy song lyrics.”
“What? It’s true.”
I smile, because he’s right.
* * *
It only takes five books, twenty minutes of what we call “back scratchies,” and the promise of a special treat in the morning to get Ella to finally pass out at eight o’clock that night.
I always feel so lame for collapsing into bed ten minutes after she goes down, but tonight I’m downright giddy to get into bed.
I finally get to text Ava. Initially I thought I’d call her, but my brothers told me to cool my jets a little.
“She’s a single parent too,” Cash explained. “Meaning she’s just as beat as you are at the end of the day. There’s a good chance she’ll either miss your call or send you to voice mail. But a text—it’s not as much of a commitment. She can respond to it anytime, and it still lets you know you’re thinking about her without that layer of guilt that comes when you feel like you should call someone back, but you can’t for whatever reason.”
I don’t know when my grumpy, growly older brother became an expert in dating, but here we are.
Back at the barn, the five of us workshopped some text ideas before we all headed home. Cash and Wyatt counseled me to keep it cute and fun. Ryder and Duke pushed me toward an agenda that was light on substance, heavy on sexting.
I decide to strike a note somewhere in between.
SAWYER RIVERS
Think you can get a sitter for Saturday night? I’d like to take you to dinner.
I try not to feel disappointed when she doesn’t respond right away. I distract myself by scrolling through my email and the app our preschool uses to post announcements and photos. I smile when I see a picture Ms. Sherman posted earlier today of Ella and Junie going down the slide together on the playground.
My phone dings. My stomach drops.
AVA BARTLETT
Thought you said you were going to eat me for breakfast?
Dick perking right the fuck up, I grin.
SAWYER RIVERS
I’m a three square meals a day kinda guy. 5pm too early? I’ll pick you up
AVA BARTLETT
5pm is our usual dinner time so this is perfect. Let me text my nanny to see if she’s free.
BTW Junie was all smiles at pickup. She talked nonstop about how much fun she had with her BFF Yella
