Page 12 of Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar 2)

Gavin had asked me out on two different occasions. Timing hadn’t worked out for either because I’d already had plans. Maybe it was time to stop living this single life and take a risk.

Maybe when I purchased the Jeep’s replacement down the road in seven or eight years, I’d check a different marital status box on the application.

Though the idea of dating anyone made me queasy.

Finn didn’t have that problem. He’d moved on and had been dating on and off for years. He’d been with his most recent girlfriend for about a year. Brenna. I didn’t know much about her, because I’d made it a point to know little about his relationships. I asked questions to be civil, these women were spending time with my children after all, but nothing beyond the surface.

With Brenna, things were getting serious. Whenever Finn didn’t have the kids, she was attached to his side. She was even friends with Poppy. There was a picture hanging in the restaurant’s office of her and Finn playing board games at Poppy and Cole’s house.

When Poppy had asked me if I’d minded that photo, I’d lied and told her no. It was her restaurant. Finn was her brother. How she chose to decorate her office was her choice.

And when that photo had gone up six months ago, I’d started doing my office work out of the office.

I’d accepted divorced life. I had a way to go to accept Finn’s love life.

“What’s Brenna up to tonight?” If Finn was mowing my lawn, she must have had plans.

He swallowed his bite of pizza, chasing it down with some water. “I don’t know. We broke up last weekend.”

“Oh.” That was surprising. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. “Sorry.”

Finn shrugged. “Don’t be.”

I almost asked Finn how he was feeling about it, but discussing his feelings had been nearly impossible when we’d been married, let alone divorced.

Instead, I asked, “How were the kids?” He’d had them for the past three days.

“Good.” He grinned as he chewed. “They’re always good. Max can’t wait for school to be out next week. Kali doesn’t want it to end.”

I smiled. “Max just wants to do basketball camp. Kali doesn’t want to go the whole summer without seeing her friends.”

“She asked me if we could figure out a way for her to take swimming lessons with Vanessa.”

“Okay. I’ll call Vanessa’s mom and get schedule information. We’ll see if we can fit it in between all their camps.” Summers were always chaotic, running the kids from one summer camp to the next while still trying to work.

“Just let me know what I can do to help coordinate.” Finn tossed his uneaten crust onto his plate. Like Max, he didn’t eat the crust unless he was on the verge of starvation.

I, on the other hand, never turned down the carbs. I held out my hand, palm up. He chuckled and slid his plate over so I could take the crust. I ate it while he ate another piece of pizza.

“More?” He held up another crust.

I shook my head. “I’m full. Thanks again for doing the lawn.” It would save me from the chore this weekend and give me more time to take the kids out exploring in our new Jeep.

“No problem. What are you guys doing this weekend?”

“Nothing much. I was thinking of planning something fun to do with the kids. Maybe take them up to Hyalite Lake or something. You?”

He sighed. “I’ll probably just catch up at work. I’m behind on a couple of bids.”

No surprise there. Finn worked constantly when the kids were with me.

“Mom,” Max hollered from upstairs. “Can we watch a movie?”

“Sure,” I called back.

I stood from the table and cleared Finn’s plate as footsteps pounded down the wooden stairs and the kids came running into the kitchen.

Max frowned when he saw the empty pizza box on the table. “Can we make popcorn?”