I wished I didn’t, but I remembered it all. I remembered needing someone, and Dean turning me down before changing his mind.
And I was once again wondering what else he could change his mind on. I didn’t want to think this way. This wouldn’t do me any good. I was starting to think I didn’t care about what good came from it.
Thankfully, my phone rang and I was pulled out of my thoughts. I thought it might be Dean checking in, but I saw his mom’s face pop up on my screen. I’d told him to give her my number, and this was the first time she’d used it.
“Hi, Virginia,” I said. “It’s nice to hear from you.”
“Sorry it took me so long to call. I was getting a few things in order around here. I won’t keep you since I’m sure you’re busy with the shop, but?—”
“I’m free actually. I have a day off.”
“Oh, really? I thought you were open during the week.”
“I usually am. I was sick last night.”
She gasped. “Sick? What happened? Are you okay?”
I could see where Dean got his concern from. “I’m okay, and so is the baby. I just ate something bad and took the day to recover.”
“Does Dean know? He could’ve helped.”
“He was here, actually. He’s been around for a few days.”
A second passed before Virginia answered. “Really? Normally it’s hard to get him to leave the city.”
“He said he wanted to help me with my house a little. I’m sure he misses Nashville a lot.” As I said it, I wasn’t so sure. He only mentioned Nashville when he talked about the things he didn’t like about Strawberry Springs. I never heard about it on its own.
Was there a meaning there I hadn’t realized?
“It’s where he likes to stay, but I’m so happy he’s been there with you for a little while. I’m sure it’s good for both of you to get to know each other.”
“It is. We’re making it work.”
“He talks highly of you.”
My cheeks heated and I was glad this was only a phone call. “That’s nice. It would be awkward if he didn’t.”
“I’d smack him into place if he didn’t. And if he steps out of line, you let me know.”
After all the stories I’d seen about nightmare mothers-in-law, it was nice that mine was so kind. Even if she wasn’t my mother-in-law. She was ... my baby daddy’s mom?
Fuck. I still had to find a better name for that.
“Now, I did call for a reason, I promise. You’ll have to bear with me, dear. I get distracted easily.”
“It’s not a problem.” And it really wasn’t. I’d spent most of the day alone. I didn’t mind the company of someone else’s ramblings.
“Do you have any ultrasound pictures you wouldn’t mind sharing with me?”
“Yeah, I have one that I can text you. And there’s the big ultrasound next week.”
She gasped. “Already? Oh, please send me photos of that too. I wanna make a scrapbook, especially since I live so far away ...” She trailed off.
“I have an extra room.” I said it before I could stop myself. “You could always stay with me.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all.”