Page 33 of A Simple Regret

“What problem? I have no problem,” I counter, turning off the main drag and heading for home.

“You’re a mama’s boy.”

I bark out a laugh. “You think?”

“Well, out of all the women in the world, if I’m your favorite, that’s pretty telling. Your father did warn me I was ruining you when you dressed the dog up in your sister’s tutu and tried to teach it the Macarena.”

Again, I let out a hearty laugh. “You didn’t ruin me, but I am a much better dancer than the rest of your children.”

She chuckles. “That you are.”

“To what do I owe this phone call?” I ask.

“Can’t a mother just call and say hello to her favorite son?”

“Wait, I’m going to need you to repeat that. I didn’t hit record in time,” I counter, knowing she’s kidding. She’d never play favorites with any of us.

“Nope, you had your one chance. You’re too slow.”

I tsk. “Figures.”

“Anyway, I was just calling to say hello.” After a second she adds, “All I’ve been hearing about is your new neighbor.”

There it is.

“Honestly, I’m surprised it’s taken this long for you to call and inquire.”

“Well, I’m not a gossip like the rest of the biddies in this town,” she argues, even though we both know that’s false. No, Mom isn’t as gossipy as some of the others, but she engages in some of the town chatter on occasion.

“I’m fine,” I answer, turning onto my street, my eyes already looking ahead to see if I spot Maren and Theo.

She’s silent, and I already know she doesn’t believe me.

I exhale and pull into my driveway. Just as I reach the point where I can see into both my backyard and the neighboring one, I smile. There’s Maren and Theo. He’s sitting on a small disc sled, and she’s pulling him around the yard. I try not to think about how fucking adorable she looks, in her snow pants, coat, boots, gloves, and stocking cap, but I can’t help it. She’s fucking beautiful, even all red cheeked from the cold, and maybe a bit of exertion at pulling him around the yard.

“It was a shock to find out she’s living right next door to me, but I’m dealing. It’s not like we see each other all the time or anything,” I state, the lie rolling off my tongue a little too easily. The truth is we’ve seen each other a lot, even just in passing. And because my eyes seem to have a mind of their own lately, I’ve even caught sight of her moving about in the kitchen because our windows face each other.

But there’s no way in hell I’ll tell anyone that.

“Are you sure?” she asks, her voice full of concern.

“Yes, Mom. It happened years ago. I’m over it.” I put my truck in park and stare at the neighbors as they play.

Again, with the lies…

“Honey, don’t you dare lie to me. I was there, remember? And it wasn’t so long ago that you completely forget.”

“Yeah,” I reply, smiling the moment I see Theo flop back in the snow and start moving his arms and legs to make an angel.

“I thought about dropping by and saying hello.”

That catches my attention. “Yeah?”

“But only if you’re okay with that.”

“Why would I not be? You’re a grown woman,” I counter.

“Yes, but she broke your heart.”