What would I even say? Hey, I found the love of my life back in high school, and we both decided to just throw it away. Well, he’s back. And he came over last night. And we watched a show about tow truck drivers like it was the most normal thing in the world. And he might want to be in my life again.
Might.
The word was doing a lot of heavy lifting.
Was there really anything she needed to know?
I was a grown adult. I could make my own choices. I wasn’t hiding anything—yet—I was just… figuring it out. Testing the waters. Seeing if this thing with Duane had any legs before I introduced it to the most important person in my life.
Lottie was growing up. She was forming her own world now. One that didn’t always revolve around me. Sleepovers and study groups and weekend movies. She was already halfway out the door, and I had to start thinking about what my life looked like beyond the school drop-offs and permission slips.
Maybe that meant I needed to grow up a little, too. Not in the way people usually meant it, but in the way where I gave myself permission to want something. Maybe someone?
I had been with Lee the past fifteen years, but did he really count? The man had another woman the whole time we were together. I was with him… Hell, I had been with him because of Lottie. Looking back, not my best move, but I couldn’t go back now.
Now I really had the chance to make my life what I wanted.
Was that going to include Duane?
I didn’t know. Not yet.
But he hadn’t run. He hadn’t played it cool or indifferent. He had shown up. Sat on my couch. Made me laugh. Let me fall asleep on his shoulder. And that had to count for something.
My phone buzzed on the counter beside me, and I jumped slightly. I reached for it, and my stomach flipped.
Duane.
Hope your headache wasn’t too bad this morning. Got a few things to take care of. I’ll call you later.
I stared at the message, my thumb hovering over the screen. I smiled, just a little.
I typed back.No permanent damage done. Good luck with your things.
Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then appeared again.
Maybe I shouldn’t have said good luck with your things. I was trying to be cute, but did it come off as a bit catty?
Ugh, I hated texting.
Later, babe
I locked my phone and took another long sip of coffee.
Yeah.
Okay.
That was fine.
Later was good.
I was going to spend all afternoon and night with Lottie, so it was fine that we would talk later.
I tried to quell the panic that was rising in my throat.
This thing with Duane was going to be whatever I wanted. I was in charge now.
I was free to do whatever I wanted, and that included Duane.
