“You knew, didn’t you?”
“Not for sure. I’d seen them together at the coffee shop a few times. It was the way they looked at each other. She’s been divorced about eight years. Her husband was a bully. She deserves a nice guy.”
“Thank you. I have a feeling that you were the support they both needed to tell me.
“It’s time I make a confession of my own.” I continue quickly before she can walk out. “What I said the other night was wrong. It came out wrong. I didn’t believe it at the time. I knew you were never his girl or his type of girl. I was jealous.
“Gentry, I’ve had a crush on you forever. More than a crush. Every woman I’ve met, I’ve compared to you. I know you never saw me that way. But… Well, I was jealous of him. He at least got to pretend you were his.
“I promise I won’t make working with me awkward. I can control myself.”
“You know I’m a lot older.”
“Four years, three months and twenty-seven days. My dad was two years younger than Mom. And I’m pretty sure that MaryKatherine is older than that. Studies show that anything less than ten years does not matter at our age. Maybe when we were ten and fourteen, but not now.”
Something flashes in her gaze, before she turns to leave. A flicker of hope opens up in my chest.
“I need to go. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I walk her to her car and watch her drive away.
After checking on Ayla, I grab the baby monitor, a water, and sit on the porch. I either scared Gentry completely off or maybe cracked the ice.
Dad pulls up, and walks toward me, shoulders stiff.
“She’s a nice woman. I like her. I’m happy for you, Dad.”
He drops into the chair next to me. “I didn’t know how to tell you, son. Then when you were wrapped up in the mess with Ayla’s mom, it didn’t seem like the right time.”
“How long?”
“I’ve known of her and seen her around for years. Last year when you visited, she and her daughter had just opened the coffee shop. A couple of the guys and I started meeting up for coffee and a Danish before work once or twice a month. Then I’d stop in when I was in town and… well, if I sat at the counter we’d talk.
“You know I?—"
“Dad, it’s okay. I just hope you didn’t feel you had to wait because of me. You deserved companionship after all these years. I was gone. I left you alone.”
“Son, you did what you were supposed to do. You followed your dream. I wasn’t ready yet back then. Still missed your mom.
“The more MaryKatherine and I got to know each other, well things began to change. We started dating. She-uh-she was the one who noticed I might be having a mild heart attack and made me go to the hospital.”
“Damn, I liked her before you said that. Now I’m downright in love her. She’s the one going on the cruise with you, right?”
He clears his throat and nods.
“Oh shit. When you told me I could have the house—were you, are you wanting or planning to move in with her?”
“Since she helps her daughter with the coffee shop, it would be easier if I moved in with her.”
“Dad, I’ll find a nanny or daycare while you’re gone. If not sooner. I promise. If you want to start-ah-sleepovers now I can handle this alone at night. Ayla is my responsibility.
“You’ll still be okay working out of the office here, right?”
“Yes.” He grins. “Might take you up on the sleep overs, but we’ll wait until after the cruise to move in together.”
I give him a fist bump like we’re a couple bros, then we both laugh.
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
