The class splits into five groups, each clutching a list: leaf, flower, rock, and stick. I glance around the large play area in front of us and scoff. A flower? In October? When everything’s been dead for the past two weeks? Yeah, good luck with that.
“Think this is just a way to keep them extra busy?” Pearla whispers, amusement lacing her tone.
I smirk. “Definitely. A flower right now? Impossible.”
Pearla laughs softly. “Agreed.”
“Let’s get started!” Miss Greta calls, and the kids scatter across the field, little legs kicking up tufts of dried grass.
Miss Greta falls into step beside Pearla and me. “How’s volunteering going so far, Corbin?”
“Good,” I reply, watching Tate dart toward a pile of leaves.
“Everything you expected and more?” she presses.
I shrug. “Not really sure what I expected.”
Miss Greta nods, seemingly satisfied with that answer. “It’s great that you’re here for Tate. He talks about you and his mom all the time.”
I swallow hard as Pearla adds, “I’ve heard that Jules is a godsend. And that woman not only makes the best cup of coffee, but she also does all those crafts for the holiday parties. I’m in awe.”
Miss Greta hums in agreement. “I can’t wait to see what she makes for Halloween. The teachers still talk about her decorations from last year—vampires, ghosts, ghouls, pumpkins. Everything was hand-drawn, so detailed. You can tell she’s an artist.”
Pearla tilts her head. “Does she paint a lot at home?”
I shake my head. “Jules and I are divorced, so if she still does, I wouldn’t know.”
Pearla’s expression shifts instantly. “Oh. I’m so sorry. I—Tate talks like you two are together.”
My eyes find Tate in the sea of kids, laughing as he digs around for something on his list. He’s always happiest when Jules and I are in the same space.
“We get along great,” I tell her, the words coming out too easily. Too practiced. “Just didn’t have the best luck living together.”
Pearla and Miss Greta exchange small, sympathetic smiles.
I force a smile back, but the weight in my chest lingers.
It’s funny how it feels like the whole damn world is rooting for Jules and me.
Everyone… except for Jules.
Chapter Thirteen
Jules
I’m meeting Trey at this trendy little spot in the next town over. He picked the place this time. Smart move. No chance of Corbin and Tate randomly showing up and throwing me completely off my game.
I still can’t believe they accidentally crashed our first date. And I still can’t believe Trey invited them to eat with us. But dwelling on it won’t change anything. This is a second date. A fresh start. A chance to focus on Trey—on who he is, what he likes, and, more importantly, if I like him.
I think I do.
It’s just hard.
All I’ve ever really known is Corbin.
He was my first love, my first everything. Sure, I kissed a few guys before him, but Corbin was the one who mattered. The one who changed everything. First guy to tell me he loved me. First man who ever saw me naked. First time. First vacation. First engagement. First marriage. He was the person I learned everything with. And then he was the first person to break me. To shatter my heart after holding it so carefully for so long.
Maybe that’s why I can’t get him out of my head.
