hear that I’m doing a great job, but I know I need to believe it.
“Okay, enough talk about him. Let’s eat!”
“Thank goodness. I’m starving.”
We order our lunch and another round of drinks. I listen to Gina telling me about what’s going on with her and how she’s doing.
“You know, I’m jealous of you.”
I finish drinking my drink. “Me? Why?”
“You’re building this great life, and I’m here doing the same old thing. I want to settle down and find someone. Do you know how hard it is to date? It sucks. Let me tell you why it sucks. The men on these dating sites are looking for easy hook-ups. They don’t want to settle down. Then you have the men who are trying way too hard and it takes the fun out of dating. It shouldn’t be this hard.”
I shake my head. “I hear you, sista.”
“Don’t even. You have someone who worships the ground you walk on. You’re just too damn stubborn to see it.”
I roll my eyes and finish my drink. “Uh huh.”
“Do you think you’ll want to settle down?”
“I don’t think I’m going to be settling down any time soon. I need to be strong and clear-headed with Alex. He’s what’s important. Being a single mom has its ups and downs.”
“You’re rocking the whole single mom thing. I love you for it, and I think you’re not giving yourself enough credit.” Gina takes a sip of her water. “Oh. Did I tell you?”
“What?”
“Tony from radiology keeps asking me to hang out. I think he’s going through a shitty situation with his wife and needs friends. He wants to have all of us go out drinking and dancing. You down?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I hate being away from Alex and my mom watching him.”
“You need to live, girl. Let’s go out and have some fun. You need it. Hell, I need it, so as your best friend, I am demanding adult time for you.”
I roll my eyes and agree to go out. It shouldn’t be a hard thing to do. It’ll be a few hours, and then I’ll be home to go to bed and take Alex to camp in the morning. He’s good about sleeping through the night.
“Fine. We’ll go out. Just let me know when and where.”
“Yes, girl.”
Getting back home, I see Clayton’s car in the driveway. I let out a breath and go inside to find he’s in my kitchen.
He turns and smiles. “Hey.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d come over and make dinner. When I picked up Alex, he asked if I could come over, so I suggested dinner. We went to the store and picked up chicken nuggets, potatoes, and broccoli. It’s almost done if you’re hungry.”
After lunch, I went to work and reviewed some files that were being questioned, so it’s been one of those days.
“Yeah. It sounds good. Thanks for coming over. I, ah, yeah, where’s Alex?”
“He’s in the living room. Dinner will be ready soon.”
I head to the living room and sit on the floor with Alex, placing him on my lap and holding him close to my chest. “I love you, honey. So much.”
“I love you too, Mama.”
Chapter 24
Clayton
I walk into the crowded bar and immediately see her. It’s not hard to find her in the crowds. No matter where we are, I’ll always be able to find her. I’m drawn to her and this feeling and love I have for her won’t go away.
As soon as our eyes meet, I see her with Gina, and a few guys are making a beeline toward them. This intensifies my anger, and I hurry over.
Ashley sees me and shakes her head. I stop in my tracks and eye the men coming over. It takes a second before I realize the guys are a couple and know the girls. I relax a little and nod my head over to the bar.
When I sit on the stool, I ask the bartender for a shot of whiskey and take out my cell phone, scrolling through the messages she sent me.
Ashley: Hey, I know it’s late, and you’re probably wondering why I’m out. I should be with Alex, but after a few hard shifts at the hospital, I needed a few hours to myself. Plus, Gina needed me to come out tonight. Don’t judge me for going out.
Clayton: I’m not judging you. It happens. Is everything okay?
Ashley: I’m a little drunk right now. Can you come get me at 11? I think Gina wants to