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Chapter 122

Baby, I'm thinking it over
What if the way we started made it something cursed from the start?
What if it only gets colder?
Would you still wrap me up and tell me that you think this is smart?
Cause lately I've been scared of even thinking 'bout where we are

— Banks, Waiting Game

. . . .

After ordering our dinner and sitting down in one of the booths beside the far left wall, we banter about our days. I talk about the test that I took today, and he goes into detail about his day at work. They had a teacher meeting, but for the most part, he seems to really enjoy being there.

Not only is it relieving to him to finally be settled in a steady job, but I can't help but also feel that stress being lifted of having to watch him be so agitated for months on end at a lackluster job that he didn't like. He deserved better than that, and I'm so grateful that he's doing something that he loves once again.

It's still raining outside and only a few other people are sitting at the tables either talking one on one or using their laptops.

"How's Lilly? Has she made any new friends in her class?" I ask him. Harry and I talk every day about everything, but Lilly's schooling hasn't been talked about much.

"She introduced me to a little girl that sits beside her. They've befriended, and the girl came over to the house for a playdate."

"Hot mum?"

"Well, I've never asked her about her temperature, but I'd like to assume it's normal," he says, cracking a smile and taking a sip of his drink.

"Very funny."

"She's married and not my type."

"So, what exactly is your type?" I ask just to tease him.

"Well, you're my type, and the mum is married, so I'd say being single for starters."

"You don't know, maybe she's willing to cheat on her spouse."

"She's a Sunday school teacher and runs her church's charities," he leans back on his bench and raises an eyebrow at me. "Plus, she and her husband have been married for eleven years."

"Did you both have tea on her front porch while you gossiped or something?"

"When she was dropping off her daughter, she said she was going to go to the church to help set up for a fundraiser. Then she said she's been married for eleven years. The girls played dolls and ran around outside for the most part while I supervised," he opens his phone and pulls up a picture of Lilly and another little girl her age. The girl has deep skin with adorable little buns on either side of her hair part. They both have their arms wrapped around one another and wide grins on their faces. "I'm thankful she's making friends."

He sets his phone aside on the table and lifts his sandwich to his mouth.

"So, even with a friend, she still prefers my gift more?" I tease him, and he lifts his middle finger as he takes another bite.

"You know, I told my daughter to lie— which I am against doing so—for you."

"I didn't ask for you to do that."

"I wanted you to feel good about yourself. I figured this would come with some bragging rights, but a month later and you're still gloating."

"I don't want you to live it down. But, if it makes you feel better, the bike was a great gift," I say.

"Thank you."

"But not as great as mine."

"According to Lilly, that must be true."