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Maybe then it would keep all of those weirdos from hitting on me. Why can’t the normal ones ever hit on me?
“Do you like her?” I pause for a moment. “Yeah. A lot.”
I need to inch toward the line. Feel her out. I can hear June’s voice in my head, saying, I think you mean UP. No, June, I don’t mean up.
It’s like I had a pile of books stacked on my desk, and although I can’t be certain, I think someone came in at some point and rearranged them. I’m rearranged.
“Are you going to stay over there all night?” If this were a movie, this is the part where the camera would pan to me and I’d be gone. It would have to tilt up to find me plastered in the farthest upper corner of my apartment, like Spiderman.
I want this one to stay. To like me. Maybe even love me one day.
He likes me. Jacob Broaden likes me. He’s told his family all about me. He’s standing proudly beside me and not letting me go.
(Mr. and Mrs. Broaden apparently have a thing for J’s),
literally my family
Evie’s sitting cross-legged now, smiling and talking away to my sister while thoroughly applying sunscreen to my daughter’s back. I’m mesmerized by this scene. I couldn’t look away if I tried. I am the person who loves Sam the most in this world…and I forgot to reapply sunscreen to her back. But Evie remembered. What does that mean? It feels significant. My mom leans close to me, and from the corner of my eye, I can see her smile. “I think you found a good one.”
alana ☁️ liked this
My lips touch hers, and then I’m having terrible déjà vu, because we get interrupted.
i hate it here
“Ha! You think Jake and I are on the same level?” “No.” Her eyes slide to mine, and I see a twinkle. “I don’t think anyone will ever measure up to you. But I get the feeling that Jake will actually try.”
i love jo🥺
“I’m actually a physician's assistant over at Roper Hospital.”
thats hot
He’s like a pimple. I just want to pop him—or punch him, or step on his toes, or slap him—but I know that if I do, it’ll just make things worse for my complexion. Best to ignore him and wait for the breakout to pass.
A man doesn’t watch all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls for nothing.
Channel your inner Lorelai Gilmore. I will not be that single dad that sucks.
They don’t make real pockets on women’s jeans, so I’m forced to clasp them behind me like a kindergartener who’s been told not to touch anything.
“Ta-da,” I say and then feel really stupid. Is it weird to be proud of your selection of feminine hygiene products?
“Evie, I have four sisters, a mother, a ten-year-old daughter, and I was married for nine years. I’m very aware that you have a period, and I’m not at all embarrassed by it. You shouldn’t be either.”
“I’ll be whatever you want me to be, Evie Jones.”
Jake reaches over and pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I’ve learned that he’s an affectionate man, and I still can’t believe I get to know that about him.
Jake picks up his phone again and checks the screen. He’s had that thing glued to him all night, and if I didn’t know the real reason he was checking it so much, I’d be worried he was waiting for a booty call from another woman. But I don’t say anything about it because I know that he’s just worried about Sam.
shore shore...
Instead, I’m rubbing my thumb across the back of Jake’s knuckles and wondering if he’d be scared if I asked to go ahead and move in?
“Are you feeling okay? Need a heating pad or anything?”
“I wasn’t perfect, Evie. No failed marriage is the result of one person.”
“Evie, let me say what your parents are too stupid to recognize: you’re an incredible woman.”
The sight is tearing me up inside. In my little rectangular mirror, I see the most perfect picture of a woman that doesn’t have to be here, caring for my little girl who adores her, and their service dogs on either side of them.
I realize I’m practically skipping down the sidewalk now. That’s what the sound of Jake’s voice does to me: turns me into a skipper.
Once I lose consciousness and begin convulsing, I know that Charlie will move me onto my side to keep me safe. He’ll go push the button on the wall that calls Jo and then come back to stay with me and lick my face to bring me back into consciousness faster. Even now, he’s going to the fridge and using the tug rope to pull it open and retrieve a water bottle for me for after the seizure.
this is so cute 🥺🥺
I give Charlie a nod, and he gets it right away. He jumps up on the bed and snuggles up under Evie’s arm and stomach. Suddenly, we are a family, and I wish Sam was here, too.
feels so right. So natural. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this content in my entire life.
time for the break up 🤠🤠
This feels right, and I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to keep convincing myself that we’re just two casual friends dating. This feels a lot like falling in love.
currently screaming
That was mistake number one. Mistake number two was trying to whisper to Joanna so I didn’t wake up the sleeping man beside me. But you guessed it, he woke up and leaned toward my ear (aka CLOSER to the phone) to huskily ask who I was talking to.
I sigh and pause only long enough to turn the thermostat down to 55. If she’s going to be here, I want her to be so cold she has to wear a parka.
“Looking for Jake?” she asks with a taunting smirk. “He’s not awake yet.”
you little fucking whore
I practically dive into the seat and then yell, “Drive!” like I’m in the movie Baby Driver.
fav movie
Okay, I like all of those things, but those are just physical attributes. And if you’ve ever visited a nursing home, you know that beauty fades, my friends.
“Did he hurt you?” I shake my head no again and let my tears roll down my cheeks. “No. But you did.”
:(
“Sam had a seizure,” he says, gripping my shoulder like he needs me to help hold him up. “But she’s okay. Apparently, she went upstairs to get her PJs on, and then Daisy rushed back downstairs and started alerting my mom. Sam did fall, but it was on the carpet, and Daisy rolled her on her side just like she and Sam practiced. She stayed with Sam and hasn’t left her side since the seizure ended.”
She’s singing a quiet, sweet version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and I have to try very hard not to drop down onto one knee here and now. My mom is right. This feels like a family.
when I have to see Natalie again, I won’t be a crazy jealous girlfriend.
“I love you, Evie Jones.” Love. His gaze is full of love. “I love you too, Jake.”
Jake brings her over to the couch, and without hesitating even a second, Sam sits down beside me and curls her little body up next to mine. I wrap my arms around her and hug her close. I don’t know who is benefiting from this connection the most in this moment. I feel like my heart is physically expanding. It’s making room to accommodate all of the new love I have.
I hope with all of my heart that this is what every day for the rest of my life will look like.
“These are for you, Mama.” Yep, you heard her right. Sam calls me Mama, and it still melts my heart every time. This girl and I have bonded like we were always meant to be mother and daughter.
Evelyn Grace, We’re proud of you. See you tonight. - Mama and Daddy
I don’t think this life of mine can get any better. Except it does when I spot Jake walking into the hospital room with a chocolate-chip muffin.
