Heat floods my cheeks. “You know, if things don’t work out with West.”
“I’d like to think we can stay friends even if that happens.”
I’m momentarily flustered. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry. Things are just so new.”
“Of course.”
“What time do you work until?” I ask her.
“Five. I’ll be home by five-thirty.”
“If you like, I can keep Lindy with me so you don’t have to leave to pick her up?”
“Oh, that would be amazing.”
“I’ll take her to school with me too. There’s no reason for you to make the extra trip when I’m literally going there.”
“You don’t have to do that!” she says.
“Again, I’m literally going to her school. Why not?”
“You’re leaving now, though, right?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“Lindy, finish your breakfast so you can get ready to go.”
“Okay.” Lindy seems amenable to the idea.
“I’m going to stop at the grocery store on my way home,” I say to Jayne. “What do you want for dinner?”
Her eyes widen playfully. “I have options?”
I laugh. “Well, limited options, but yes, of course.”
“We have a grocery budget here at the house,” she says. “West collects money from us for joint meals and then we’re on our own when he’s not here. So let me give you money—and before you protest, if you’re doing the cooking, I should at least pay half of the groceries.”
Since I really can’t afford to be overly generous, I agree without hesitation. “Okay.”
She digs a few twenties out of her purse and hands them to me.
“Now, what are my options for dinner?”
“Meatloaf, pan-fried chicken with honey drizzle, or my version of a chicken fried rice.”
“Oh, shit.” Jayne makes a face. “All three sound amazing. Surprise me. I just have one request.”
“Shoot.”
“Whatever you cook, you let me watch and help, so I can learn.”
“Absolutely. I’ll even write down some of it for you.”
“You’re the best.”
We exchange grins and then discuss logistics for the rest of the day.
Ten minutes later, I’m in West’s SUV heading for Joey’s daycare center.