I’m lying in bed, all snuggled and warm into the blankets, thinking about getting up and facing the cold when my phone vibrates on my nightstand. With a sigh, I pull my arm out from under the blankets and grab it.
Rhett: Morning, beautiful.
I smile.
Me: Morning, Whiskey.
Rhett: Pizza for dinner tonight?
Me: You know how to show a girl a good time.
Rhett: Only the best for my wife.
He does that all the time. Refers to me as his wife. I know it’s true, but it’s not really, and it confuses my fragile heart. The heart that’s begging me to throw caution to the wind and jump in feet first to whatever it is he’s offering. My head, on the other hand, urges me to proceed with caution. I know how it feels to have your heart broken; that’s the story of my life. However, having him and then losing him, I don’t know how I would ever come back from that. Sure, I would pick myself up and move on, but I know I would never take the risk again. That leads me to a life of loneliness. Something I’ve felt less of ironically since my split with Pete.
Me: Pepperoni and Bacon?
Rhett: Anything you want.
Me: I’ll be here.
Rhett: I’ll be there around five.
Me: See you then. Have a good day.
Rhett: You too, Short Stack. See you soon.
Climbing out of bed, I strip my sheets and head to the laundry closet, just off the kitchen. I tell myself it’s time, and it has nothing to do with the fact that Rhett will be here tonight.
Nothing at all.
Breakfast, shower, cleaning, and laundry is what fills my day. By one o’clock, I’m finished and antsy. I find myself in the kitchen in front of the pantry. When I see the container of oats, I decide to make some no-bake cookies. It has nothing to do with the fact that they’re Rhett’s favorite.
Nothing at all.
As usual, I make way more than I can eat, even with Rhett’s help. Grabbing my phone, I call Molly.
“Hello,” she says in her usual chipper voice.
“Hey, I made some cookies, y’all want some?”
“Sure, we’re actually getting ready to head over to Baxter’s. Jerry is there, and it’s been a while since we’ve seen Number One. We used to visit at least once per week, but we’ve slacked off since Rhett has been home.
“Visiting,” I correct her.
“What?”
“He’s not home. He’s just visiting.”
“Ahh,” she says. “I get it now.”
“Get what?”
“Why you’re keeping your husband at arm’s length.”
“It’s just a piece of paper, Molly.”
“Uh-huh,” she says, appeasing me. “You want to come with us?”
Looking at the clock, I see it’s a few minutes before three. “How long do you plan on staying?”
“Why? You got a hot date tonight?” she jokes.
I bite my lip. I don’t know if I would call it a hot date, or even a date at all. We’re just two friends getting together for dinner to talk about a common interest. Our divorce.
“You do!” she says excitedly. “Wait.” The excitement falls from her voice. “I know it’s just a piece of paper, but you’re married and che—” I stop her there.
“Rhett’s coming over. It’s not a date. We’re just having dinner and discussing the next steps for the divorce.”
“What time?” she asks, the excitement back in her voice.
“Five.”
“We can be back by then. We’ll only stay an hour or so. The weather is supposed to get bad.”
“Yeah, that’s why we’re staying in too,” I admit.
“How long until you’re ready?”
“I’m good now. Let me wrap up some of these cookies to take to them and you, and I’ll meet you outside.”
“See you in ten,” she says, ending the call.
I quickly grab some Ziploc bags and fill them with cookies. I make three bags, one for Molly and Jake, one for Jerry, and one for Grandpa Rhett. Sliding into my coat, I grab the cookies and my phone, and I’m out the door.
“Perfect timing,” Jake says, meeting me at the truck. “Gimme.” He holds his hand out for a bag of cookies.
I laugh and hand one over before climbing in the back seat. “You better plan on sharing those.” Molly reaches over and grabs the bag from his lap. Jake mumbles something that sounds like “only you” with his mouth full, causing the three of us to laugh.
“Knock, knock,” Jake says, not really knocking as we walk on in to Grandpa Rhett’s house like we live there.
“In here,” Jerry calls out.
I follow along to the living room. “Hey, kids,” Grandpa Rhett says, happier than I’ve seen him in a while. “Saylor,” he says, his eyes lighting up. He turns to Jake. “You taking care of my girls?”
“You know it. Especially this one. She made cookies,” he says, pointing at me.
“Cookies,” Jerry pipes up. “No-bake?” he asks hopefully.
“Yes.” I laugh. “Here.” I walk toward him and hand him a bag, then give the other to Grandpa Rhett.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” He pats my hand before taking the bag.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, taking a seat next to him on the couch.
“I’m getting better every day,” he says, smiling.
“He’s fine,” Jerry interjects. “He’s just enjoying that grandson of his being around again.”
I look at Grandpa Rhett, and he shrugs, causing us to laugh. “I was cleared to go back to work with the promise to take it easy on Monday. I just decided on my own that I needed a little more time.”
“You miss him,” I say, low enough that only he can hear me.
He nods. “It’s been too long,” he says sadly.
“Wanna know a secret?” I ask him. He nods, and I lean in close. “He misses you too,” I whisper. “He regrets staying gone so long.”
“So what kind of trouble are the two of you causing today?” Jake asks.
“You see it,” Jerry says, leaning back in the recliner.
“I find that hard to believe,” Molly says, chuckling.
“How’s the wedding planning coming?” Jerry asks. “You make sure this one gives you the wedding of your dreams.”
She looks over at me. “Dreams change,” she says. “I think we’re going to go small, maybe destination, or who knows, maybe we’ll go to Vegas.” Everyone laughs but me. I do, however, bite back my grin.
“How about a game of Rummy?” Gramps asks. We all agree and head to the kitchen.
That’s where Rhett finds us an hour later. “Hey,” he says, greeting us. He walks over to where I’m sitting and stands behind my chair. Bending down, he kisses my cheek. “Nice surprise,” he whispers. “I’m slaving away at the office and come home to a bunch of misfits,” he teases everyone.
“This one”—Jerry points at me—“is a card shark. Don’t trust her,” he jokes.
“I take it you’re winning?” Rhett asks.
Molly hands him the notebook with our scores. “She’s kicking ass and taking names.”
“That’s my girl,” Rhett says affectionately, causing my heart to flutter in my chest. “I’m going to grab a quick shower,” he says, and then he’s gone.
“He’s enamored with you,” Grandpa Rhett says, making me blush.
“He’s just being nice. We’re in an awkward situation.”
“Your deal,” Molly says, pushing the cards to Jerry.
I mouth “thank you,” and she nods.
“This could be the final round,” she tells us. “Say is sitting at four hundred and sixty-five points.” The guys grumble, causing Molly and me to laugh at them. They hate losing, which makes my victory even sweeter.
“Rematch!” Jerry demands when I lay my final card.
“Not this time, old man,” Rhett says. “We’ve got plans,” he says, pointing at me.
“We should get going too,” Molly says. “This guy”—she nudges Jake—“agreed to make me dinner.”
“Raised you right,” Jerry says.
“You gonna ride with me? I have to swing by and pick up dinner?” Rhett says, his lips next to my ear, causing me to shiver.
“Sure,” I answer.
“You two behave,” Rhett says, pointing at his grandfather and Jerry. Grabbing my hand and lacing his fingers through mine, he leads me to the door, handing me my coat.
“You going with Rhett?” Molly asks.
“Yeah, we’re going to swing by and get dinner, and then we’ll be home,” I tell her.
“You can eat with us,” she offers.
“No way, I’ve intruded enough on your nights off. Take the night just the two of you. We have things to discuss.”
“If you change your mind, you know you’re always welcome, Saylor.”
I give her a hug, something I never used to do. She’s rubbing off on me. “I know, and I love you for that. I do. You have fun. Maybe set a wedding date,” I tell her.
“Yeah, we should probably decide for sure what we’re going to do. I have been wanting to finish remodeling the house.” She winks.
“Bye.” I wave at them. With Rhett’s hand on the small of my back, he guides me out to his truck.