Page 86 of False Promises

“Yes. No tie.”

“No tie,” I repeated.

* * *

The four of us sat at the table. A recycled barn wood piece that could seat ten people.

When Dahlia and Nick started dating, I’d never imagined one day I would consider him family too. But here we were. After an incident that took Jack to the emergency room, we made peace and agreed to give each other a chance because neither of us could fathom the idea of our relationship being strained in front of Dahlia and Jack. And even though it took me time to admit and accept his role in their lives, I knew from the start he cared about my family too and would do anything for them. Make them a priority. That’s all I’d ever wanted. For my family to be happy and safe.

“So, how was camping?” Nick asked from his side of the table.

“Great,” Jack yelled, clapping his hands.

“Yes,” I replied, ruffling his hair. “We had a pretty amazing time. We’re having a do-over tonight.”

“Want to go camping with Carrrrter and me?” the boy asked Nick.

The man shook his head. “Nah. This is your boys’ time. And I’m pretty sure the tent isn’t big enough for Carter, so imagine the four of us.”

Jack giggled.

Nick continued, speaking in a hushed voice as if telling the kid a secret. “See, I’m sure I’m right. And no one wants to sleep outside the tent. What if we get cold or it starts raining?”

Jack’s giggles multiplied.

I rubbed my chin in thought. Maybe my little guy was onto something. “What if you guys sleep in Dahlia’s room tonight?” I shrugged. “Could be fun to have breakfast all together in the morning. Family-bunk night. Think about it.”

Dahlia had a room at my place where she kept clothes in the wardrobe and other personal items in the dresser for the nights she spent here. On occasions.

“Like a vacation bunk night?” Dahlia asked Jack.

“Yes,” he said, his grin reaching both ears.

“Fine, let’s do this,” Nick chimed in.

I bowed my head in his direction, and he mirrored the gesture.

* * *

How we ended up bringing mattresses to the den and lying down in sleeping bags like kids at a summer camp with pillows and a bunch of blankets was a mystery.

But it happened.

I even took the time to hang the fairy lights Dahlia had always been a fan of to give the space a real cozy vibe.

Jack slept beside me, the sound of his breathing soothing, his tiny fist locked around my index finger.

“I can’t remember the last I slept in a tent,” I said, lying on my back, casting shadows on the ceiling with the flashlight in my hand. Nick and Dahlia did the same.

“We go camping a few times annually. Every time, it reminds me of our younger years,” Dahlia said. “Those trips by the ocean both our families did when we were little. That was always the highlight of our summer vacation.”

I let out a laugh.

“Do you remember that time we were afraid of bears?” Dahlia asked.

My face lit up in the dark. All my muscles stretched in glee. “Jeff was an idiot. He enjoyed messing with us too much that summer.”

“What did he do?” Nick asked.