“Well, it was really nice meeting you two.”
Heat hits my cheeks as he glances at me one last time, then thankfully excuses himself. I let out a relieved breath.
“You alright?” Gemma asks as if she can read my mind.
“Perfect,” I say, then turn to Owen. “Did you get enough to eat?”
“Can I get more punch?” He grins.
“Sure. I’ll get you some,” I say, grabbing his cup and going to the line. I decide to get myself some food too while I’m here. As I’m scanning the goodies, I glance over my shoulder and see a blonde walk up to Noah. She’s overly nice and so loud I can hear her laughter echo off the walls. As I’m pouring a cup of punch, I watch them, then finally recognize her from Owen’s school drop-off. That’s when I notice her son is standing next to her.
She reaches over and touches Noah’s arm, then flips her long hair as she giggles like a lovestruck teenager. Jealousy immediately courses through me at how close she's standing to him. It's obvious she finds Noah attractive by the way she keeps gazing up and down his body as if she’s memorizing every inch of him.
She leans closer, flirting with Noah even though a room full of people are watching. The thought infuriates me as I fill another cup of punch for myself. I get Owen’s attention and wave him over to help because there's no way I’ll be able to carry all of this without spilling it.
When he’s close, I bend down and keep my voice low. “Doesn’t that kid go to your school?” I ask him.
“Yep. That's Anthony. He moved here a couple of months ago and is in my class.”
“I thought so,” I say with a smile.
“Can I go say hi?”
“Sure,” I say. He takes his punch from me, then crosses the room.
As soon as I'm back at the table, Gemma moves her chair closer to mine.
“Who’s that woman?” she whispers.
“I don’t remember her name, but her son is in Owen's class.”
Everleigh butts into our conversation. “Oh, that's Brittany Townsend. She works at the deli with Belinda.”
Gemma and I turn toward her as she pops a grape in her mouth. “How the hell do you know everybody in town?” I ask.
“Lawton Ridge covers a five-mile radius. Everyone should know everyone, Katie.”
I scowl at her sassy response. “Everyone knows everyone who's always lived here. She hasn’t, and she doesn’t come to the bank.”
Everleigh laughs. “I'm surprised you haven't seen her working at the deli. I think she started a month ago or so.”
I shrug. “I’m a single mom. I make a lot of slow cooker meals and eat a lot of leftovers, so I rarely go to the deli unless I forget to pack my lunch.”
Gemma snorts. “I don't think that's a single mom thing. I think that's a super organized OCD thing.”
I laugh with a shrug. “Perhaps.”
“Don’t be modest. You’re a great mom, and I can only hope I’m half as good a mom as you.”
“You will be. Honestly, you just figure it out as you go. Most of us don’t know what the fuck we’re doing,” I admit truthfully. “I’m a professional at winging it.”
“Well, you make it look effortless,” Everleigh adds. “Knowing me, I’d forget to feed my kid.”
I snort as I watch Owen chatting with Anthony. “Trust me, you won’t. Between them crying or yelling ‘Mom’ a hundred times a day, you’ll happily stuff food in their mouths to shut them up.”
“Probably why Tyler and Noah keep bringin’ pastries to the gym every morning,” Gemma says, chuckling.
“They’re trying to keep you from talkin’ their ears off.” Everleigh laughs.
After I'm done eating, Owen returns, and I notice Jerry is finally alone. I take the opportunity to give him a hug and tell him congratulations.
“Thanks, Katie. I'm sure Gemma thought I'd be working forever.”
“Well, you probably would’ve if it wasn't for Belinda talkin’ some sense into you.” I nudge him.
Jerry gives his famous hearty dad laugh that I always loved growing up. “You're right. She's made me realize there are more important things in life than working every day, and this old man needed a break.”
“You deserve it. I'm so happy for you.”
“Thank you. Now, I’ll get to be a full-time grandpa.” He beams wide as more people walk up, so I tell him goodbye and go back to the table.
Gemma stands before I can take a seat. “I think we need some more juice for the punch bowl. Can you help me grab them from the fridge?”
“Sure.” I tell Owen I’ll be right back before following Gemma toward the kitchen.
“You doin’ okay?” she asks. “You look a little stressed.”
“I'm fine. It's just weird seeing Noah here. Especially when I didn’t even want to see him the first time.” I glare at her because she knows what she did.
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I wanted to check on you. It's gonna take a little getting used to for everyone. But with that being said, maybe you should give him one more chance, Katie. He still cares about you.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “I'm sure he does since he refused to see or talk to me. That sounds like something you do when you care about someone,” I say sarcastically.
She gives me a small smile and heads out of the kitchen instead of going to the fridge.
“Wait, don’t we need more punch?” I ask, confused.
“Nah. Just wanted to get you alone for a moment to check on you without other ears around.” Gemma gives me a wink.
“Should’ve figured,” I say. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Anytime. And if you ever want to bust his balls, feel free to do it, okay? He kinda deserves it.”
I laugh. “I’m just glad you’re on my team.”
“I’m team Katie and Noah,” she corrects.
“Oh God. Don't even start with that again! We’re not fifteen anymore,” I scold but laugh at the memories.
Gemma glances over her shoulder, then leaves. I take a moment to myself before following. When I finally walk through the door, I nearly run into Noah. His hands grip my arms, holding me steady on my feet. We look at each other in shock, and it takes everything I have to push past him.
Before I get too far, he gently grabs my elbow and pulls me back.
“Katie, please talk to me,” he begs in a deep, rough voice.
Shaking my head, I pull away from him. “No thanks. I have nothing to say to you.”
“Please,” he pleads again, this time in a husky whisper.
“I’ve been begging to talk to you for ten fucking years. So no, Noah, you don't get my time when it’s convenient for you. Should’ve thought about that when you refused to let me visit or write me back. I waited around for you long enough, and I’m not wasting any more time on you.”
He looks as if I slapped him, the same reaction I imagine he had on my porch when I slammed the door in his face. It hurts to see him this way, but he left me no choice.
Without another word, I walk across the reception hall and tell Owen it's time to go.