On My Way - Eve Langlais Page 0,34

say over and over again.

Darryl, thanks so much. Want to come in for a drink?

Too prissy.

I’ll bet you’re thirsty. I’ve got something for that.

Too dirty?

Would inviting Darryl in make him think I was ready for more than just a kiss? Maybe instead I should thank him with a peck, something quick to break the ice and set things up for a next time.

My home neared, and I’d settled on inviting him in for coffee. Only the moment I turned into my laneway, he disappeared.

Disappointment flooded me. I’d been so sure he’d stop. Maybe even ask me if he could come in for a drink. It surprised me he’d not followed me right in and watched me go inside. It was what I used to do when I dropped my kids off places. I never left until they stepped through the door.

But they were kids, and I was a grown woman. I didn’t need a man watching over me. I’d been doing just fine on my own. Tonight, I’d had a little freak-out and been rescued, but what would have been the worst to happen if Jace hadn’t entered my store? Or if Darryl never showed up?

My cat would have caught the mouse. Probably grossed me out giving it to me as a treat.

The next time, if there was a next, I was going to remain calm. I would make sure I had the car in park and was turning the key correctly. I’d remember that mice were scared of me. And I’d ensure that not only did I keep a flashlight in my car, I’d have one in the store, along with a baseball bat.

I didn’t need a man. Not to take care of me at any rate, but it would be nice to have one for cuddling. Hugging myself just wasn’t the same.

I parked alongside Wendy’s vehicle and exited Betsy to see the cottage all lit up. Welcoming. Safe.

“We’re home,” I said to my cat, pulling his cage out of the car.

“Meow.”

I entered to find my daughter on the couch, dressed in her comfy clothes, cradling a bag of chips and wearing a scowl.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, setting the cage on the floor and releasing my cat.

“Jude. He is pissing me off.”

“Oh. Did you guys have a fight?” I asked casually, heading to the kitchen to make myself a calming cup of tea. Here I’d hoped his abrupt departure had spelled an end to him.

“To fight he’d actually have to answer his phone. Or reply to a text. Something. The fucker is ghosting me.”

“What a jerk!” Said with perhaps more enthusiasm than it warranted, but I couldn’t deny I was glad he’d decided to move on.

“How dare he? He’s the one who ran off the other night. Men are scum!” she announced before shoving a handful of crunchy chips into her mouth.

I envied her. Used to be I ate away my sorrows, too. Now I had a piece of cheese to curb my hunger pangs and tea to soothe my nerves.

I curled up on the chair across from Winnie. “Forget that jerk. You are young and beautiful. You will find someone a hundred times better.”

She snorted. “That is such a mom thing to say.”

“It’s true!” I protested.

“No, it’s not. I’m fully aware my boobs are too small and my hips too wide.” Her lips turned down.

“Says who?” It shocked me to hear her complain about her body. Maybe she wasn’t as slim as those girls in magazines, but she appeared healthy and, in my eyes, perfect.

“I can see in the mirror.”

“Mirrors suck,” I found myself muttering.

“Only because they tell the truth.”

“Oh, Winnie.” I sat on the couch beside her and hugged her to me. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” she mumbled against me.

“For not teaching you how to love yourself.”

She shoved me away. “I love myself just fine.”

“Then you’re doing better than I am. I can hardly look at myself some mornings.” It wasn’t something I liked to admit, but this was my daughter. She needed to know she wasn’t alone. Because it helped me to know I wasn’t alone. It had never occurred to me that someone I loved, whom I thought beautiful, would have the same self-doubts.

“You’re gorgeous, Mom.”

“Ha. I also see myself in the mirror, Winnie. I’m old. And rundown.”

“You’re sophisticated. Aged to perfection.” Winnie kissed her fingers.

I snorted. “If aged means wrinkled and flabby in the wrong places, then yes.”

“You know, there is surgery for that. You should get a mommy makeover.”

“What is that?”

“Tummy tuck,