Page 34 of Falling for Keeps

“Is your face on everything? Because then half of the population will be lining up to switch over.” He’s teasing, but I had a reputation when I lived here.

“You sound like my mom.”

“She didn’t see half the girls you went through in high school.”

“Fair. You’re worse than her.” I rub my tired eyes. It was another sleepless night with Penny’s elbow in my back—we had to share a room while her walls dry. She was determined not to ruin her hair, which made her take way longer to fall asleep.

Honestly, I was surprised the braids have stayed in as well as they have.

I couldn’t help mulling over every minute detail of my interactions with Emma, too. The woman is friendly, but that’s it. Any contact we’ve had, any blurring of the lines between friendship and more, has definitely been on my part.

But I don’t want a relationship. I want nothing to do with any woman again as long as Penny’s living in my house. She deserves better than to fall in love with another mother figure who will only abandon her. The only ones I want in her life are the ones who are going to stay—my mom and my sister.

“How are you doing?” Ben asks.

“Penny started school this morning, so it feels real now.”

“Have you talked to Jen?”

“I sent her a picture of Penny’s first day outfit, but she hasn’t responded yet.”

Ben checks his phone and notes the time. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. It’s infuriating, but I can’t make her be interested in her child.”

“I’ll never understand.” Ben sighs. “How can you not adore that kid?”

I agree, but it’s too painful to continue down this line of conversation. Especially when his marriage didn’t work out, either. “I don’t know if we should agree to not talk about Maven or what…but how are you?”

“Your sister…” He rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, we’d better not talk about it. I’m fine, man.”

I know there are other things he wants to say. I wish I could be less biased in this situation, but I love them both, so it’s hard. It’s not either of their fault that their divorce was never officially completed and they have to file again. I’m sure that’s brought up a lot of old heartache and feelings for them. He doesn’t look totally fine, but I’m not going to press him on it. “Want to get lunch, or do you need to head back to work?”

Ben laughs. “I can see why your renovation’s moving so slow.”

“Shut up, dude.” I laugh, following him outside. Orange, red, and yellow leaves cover the trees that line Main Street like the branches are on fire. I’m glad I’m wearing such a thick hoodie, the NY Giants logo spread across the front, and catch Ben eyeing it too. “At least I don’t bandwagon.”

“It’s not my fault we sweep you every year.” Ben grins, flashing perfectly straight teeth. He’s a Patriots fan, which is one of the only things we’ve ever disagreed on.

“Tell that to our 32-point lead last fall.”

“Dude, that was one game.” He rolls his eyes. “And it was preseason.”

I shove him on the sidewalk, and he laughs. When my phone rings, I pull it out and my mood immediately shifts.

“What happened?” Ben asks.

“It’s Jen.”

“You can take it.”

I don’t want to, but I should. I nod up at the Maple Bar and Grill. “I’ll meet you inside?”

“Sure.”

By the time I get to a place to answer, my phone has stopped ringing. I call her back and hold the phone to my ear.

Jen answers after a few rings. “Hello?”