“You’ll be working with Smith,” he tells me.
“Smith? I thought I was workin’ with you.”
“I’ll be there,” he confirms. “But Smith takes the lead on most projects since he’s experienced. It’s good for you too, so you can have a potential reference for a future job.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
Belinda picks that moment to let us know dinner’s on the table, and we all rush into the dining room. Dad grabs the plates, and Gemma sets the silverware. Tyler brings out the glasses, and I stare at the four of them.
“What can I do?”
“You can sit and enjoy,” Belinda muses.
“Hey, what did I say at the deli?”
“Hush. This isn’t the deli. This is home.”
I smile, then notice the way my dad looks at her, and it grows even wider. There’s so much adoration between them, it makes me damn happy.
“Alright, y’all. Dig in,” Belinda says after she says grace.
We chat about old memories and plans for the gym. It still doesn’t feel real to be eating at home with my family, but I am, and I’ll never take it for granted again.
Chapter Five
KATIE
It’s officially been eight days since Noah returned and knocked on my door, and even less since he strolled into the bank. When I saw Gemma at the boutique and told her what happened, I let it be known that he better be glad he left in one piece. I’m harboring a decade full of emotions, so my reactions when he’s around are more than valid.
After Owen and I finish eating lunch, he helps me clean up, then goes to his room.
As I wash the dishes and wipe down the counter, my mind wanders back to the past several years and how strong I’ve had to be. Juggling work, my son, and paying for everything. Anything I need, I do my damn self. Sometimes I resent Gabe for cheating and leaving me to do everything on my own, but then I feel guilty as hell about it because of the way he died.
Grief is weird and makes you second-guess your feelings. I loved Gabe, but once I got pregnant, things shifted between us. He didn’t look at me with the same twinkle in his eye. Instead of dealing with it, I ignored it. I’d made up my mind I’d figure it out after the baby was born.
I honestly feel as if I’m broken, and I’m meant to be single for the rest of my life. Most days, I’m okay with it. At thirty-one, I live in a small town where everyone knows my business and am in the process of remodeling an old house, all while trying to give Owen the best life that I possibly can. It makes dating nearly impossible, so I gave up on it years ago.
After the kitchen’s cleaned, I vacuum and try to pick up the house before tomorrow. Heading to Owen’s room, I find him lying on his bed listening to music.
“Laundry time,” I tell him, and he immediately huffs. I lift an eyebrow in warning because this is our Sunday tradition. He puts his tablet on the bed and opens his closet door. Clothes are halfway off the hangers, socks litter the floor, and shoes are stacked on top of each other. Owen grabs a few shirts he had stuffed in the corner.
“This is it?” I ask as he hands me hardly anything. “What about everything you wore all week to school? Your basketball uniforms?”
“Mom,” he whines, and I step around him, looking for myself.
I give him a smile. “I’m going to put these in the wash, and I need you to bring me the rest. Got it?”
He nods, and I walk away. I’m certain he’s back to stuffing things under his bed because he knows how I feel about things being on the floor. I might not be able to give him everything, but the least I can do is teach him how to clean up after himself. I’m raising a gentleman who will eventually make some woman happy and treat her like a queen.
As I’m in the laundry room, Owen enters with a full basket, grinning sheepishly. “I found them.”
“Mm-hmm, interesting. Where were they?”
He laughs before he walks away. Raising a boy has been...an experience.
As soon as I start the washer, my cell phone rings, and I see it’s Loretta.
“Hey, sweetie! Happy Valentine's Day!” she says.
“Same to you.”
Even though it’s Sunday and I typically work at the house, I spend every Valentine’s Day with Owen no matter what. It’s been our tradition since he was born.
“I was wondering if we could stop by this afternoon. We got Owen some Valentine’s gifts.”
I blow out a laugh. “How much candy?”
“Honey, you know how it is. Just have to spoil my grandson.”
“Loretta,” I say, smiling. “We’ll be here. Feel free to stop by anytime you’d like. Not too late, though, because he’ll be bouncing off the walls after eating the sugar.”
“Great! We’ll be there within the hour. See you soon.”
I end the call, and Owen walks into the living room. “Was that Mimi and Pawpaw?”
I nod. “Yes, it was. They’re gonna stop by and see you today.”
“Yay!” he squeals. He loves Gabe’s parents so much, and I’m lucky they’ve stayed a part of Owen’s life. They faithfully support me, and I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without them, my parents, or my friends.
Within thirty minutes, a knock rings out on the door. Owen hurries and answers it. As soon as he sees his grandparents, he squeezes Loretta tight. Elliot enters behind her, carrying a red bag with a heart on it.
Owen’s hopping from foot to foot as Loretta hugs me.
“Looks so nice in here,” she says, glancing around the spotless room. I try my best since it’s the one thing I have control over in my life.
“Owen helped.” I flash a wink. He’s old enough to have responsibilities, and he gets excited when others notice.
“Good to see you.” Elliot smiles, then wraps his arms around Owen.
I offer them some sweet tea while they give Owen his gift bag. As I’m in the kitchen putting ice in glasses, I hear Owen’s excitement. When I return, he’s still pulling out velvet hearts full of candy in all different sizes, and I know I’ll be dealing with a hyper kid tonight.
Owen’s pile on the floor consists of a remote-control car, endless candy, and some small holiday-themed games.
“Oh, you two…” I sigh. “You didn’t have to do all of this.”
He gives them kisses and thank you’s and positions himself between them on the couch. You’d think he hasn’t seen them in months by the way he’s acting, but he sees them several times a week. They love having him around, but so do my parents, so they take turns picking him up after school and watching him until I get off work around five. My mom and Loretta alternate on the weekends when I’m working at the new house.
“Can I have a sleepover at Mimi and Pawpaw’s tonight?” Owen asks with a grin.
I shake my head. “Not on a school night, bud.”
He flashes me his big puppy dog eyes, the same eyes his dad used to give me when he wanted to get his way. “Owen,” I warn.
Loretta laughs and pats his back. “You know the rules, honey. Maybe if you’re good this week, you can next Saturday.”