Page 97 of The Perfect Distraction

“So, are you two seeing each other?” she asked, looking at both of them.

She seemed more curious than disgruntled, and Beth looked to Colton to respond.

“Yes. We’re dating.”

“Ah. So, Joey was telling the truth, then.”

When Joey said that everybody knew about them, apparently, that included Gretchen. Beth waited for her to say more, but just then, Joey came running down the driveway with his duffel bag slung over his shoulder and a soccer ball clutched in his hands.

“Ready to go,” he declared.

“Okay. I’ll have him back by noon on Sunday,” Gretchen said, looking directly at Colton. She opened her car door and then glanced back at Beth and said, “It was nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Beth said. In her state of nervousness, she didn’t notice that Joey was still standing outside the car until he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her tight.

“Bye, Beth. See you in a few days.”

She fought back tears as she hugged him back and kissed the top of his head. “Bye, sweetie. Have fun with your mom.”

He let go just as fast and then hugged Colton. They stood and waved until the car drove out of sight, and it was like a plug had been pulled out. All the angst she’d experienced over the last several hours gushed out of her at once, and she broke down in tears.