Page 45 of Letting Go at 40

“Make good choices,” Bryce calls out as we exit the kitchen.

“For heaven’s sake,” Anna admonishes.

“What? Our babies are growing up so fast.” Bryce mocks a sniffle and I chuckle to myself, uncertain if he means Mila or me.

Probably both.

Chapter 17

2 Years Ago

February

Valentine’s Dance

[Anna]

When the front door opens, I immediately know Mason and Mila have returned. I unfold myself from the couch and head to the entryway where Mason is crouched down and Mila is giving him a hug while she stifles a yawn.

“Thanks again, Uncle Mason. I had so much fun.”

“Anytime, baby.”

He’s sweet with Mila. It gives me hope he’s sweet with his own daughter.

Mila releases Mason and I reach out, brushing a hand over her hair. “Did you have a good time?”

Mila nods, no longer stifling, but yawning wide. I chuckle and lean down to press a kiss to her forehead. “You can tell me all about it tomorrow.”

My children don’t need me to tuck them in anymore which is a stage I miss, so after a quick hug from Mila, she turns and trudges up the steps.

“Don’t forget to brush your teeth.” I holler after her before turning back to Mason. “She’s not going to brush her teeth.”

“Well, two sodas and a handful of cookies can’t do too much damage, right?” He chuckles.

“Where’s your bag?” I hadn’t noticed him bring one in earlier.

He scratches the back of his neck. “I’m gonna stay in Autumn’s old condo for the night. It’s vacant.”

My brows pinch and shoulders fall in unexplained disappointment. “Oh. You didn’t have to do that. You could have stayed here.”

Mason watches me a minute and his eyes look as if they see inside my chest. See my heart thudding from the letdown.

“Yeah, it’s probably better I stay there. I need to head back to Traverse early.”

I don’t argue with him. “The commute must be getting old.” Many of the meetings between Zack and Logan are handled by video conference but Mason comes to Lakeside at least once a week. The trips are normally here and back in a day or two at the most. He doesn’t stay at the house, continuing to give us space as a family.

Sometimes that space is too empty, though.

“It’s okay,” he mutters, sounding tired.

“I’d offer you a glass of wine, but I don’t want you nodding off as you drive to the condo.”

Mason grins. “One glass won’t hurt.”

He follows me toward the kitchen. As we near the island that divides the sitting room from the cabinet space, I speak. “Thank you for taking Mila again. She really looks forward to this night. And I’m certain she had a good time.”

“Me too.” He nods as I hold up a bottle of Malbec which I already had open. I fill a glass for him and top off my own.