Page 117 of The Do-Over

Maybe I’m a bad person, but the idea of Joel “Jackass” Allen getting punched out by Mathias was the best news I’d heard all day.

We cracked open a bottle of wine to celebrate. And we might have turned on the evening news, just to see Joel Allen try to make his way through the broadcast with a very noticeable black eye.

FORTY-SIX

“The road to happiness has a whole lotta hitchhikers.

Choose wisely before you pick one up.”

—MIMI

The elevator door was sliding shut as I entered the lobby, my arms laden with bags and boxes and wrapping paper and a bag of cookies, because who could resist Christmas cookies?

“Oh, hold the door,” I said.

A hand shot out to stop their progress—a hand I recognized.

Nate and Lilah stood in the elevator. Next to them was a short, round older woman with out-of-control curly hair and green-brown eyes. She was holding Lilah’s hand. I shot them a small smile and stepped in, my hand tightening on the strap of my purse as my heart leaped in my chest.

“Hi,” I said.

Despite living practically on top of each other, Nate and I had done an excellent job of avoiding one another. Aside from a brief glimpse here or there as he ducked into his apartment, or the time Lilah saw me across the street and yelled my name, we hadn’t seen each other on purpose for over two months.

I missed him. Even now, when I should have had enough time to get over him, just the sight of him made my heart clench. I wanted to touch him, to reach over and kiss him hello. But I didn’t.

Lilah flung herself at me as the doors closed. “Perci! Perci!”

I missed Lilah too. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head. The smell of her shampoo sent a rush of memories through me. It was the same scent as Nate’s, and a memory of snuggling with him on his couch washed over me. “Strawberry!”

Lilah pulled back and stared up at me. “Huh?”

“Your shampoo. It’s strawberry-scented.”

She nodded. “It’s my favorite.”

I grinned. “Mine too.”

“So, this is Perci,” the woman said, her voice so New York I almost didn’t understand her.

Nate cleared his throat. “Perci, this is my mother, Caroline. Mom, this is Perci, my… neighbor.”

“Oh, wow. Mrs. Russo.” I juggled my bags to free up a hand and held it out to her.

But Mrs. Russo shoved it aside and wrapped me in a stranglehold of a hug. “Any friend of my son is a friend of mine.” She took a step back, but kept my hand in hers as she surveyed me from sneakers to knitted hat.

I fidgeted and wished I’d known I was going to meet Nate’s mom today; I would have dressed better. As it was, I was in my scummiest pair of jeans. I’d spent most of the morning at Miss Perci’s Preschool and Daycare, cleaning. Then I’d met with a contractor about some updates. It would take a couple months to get everything worked out the way I wanted it. But my business loan had come through fast, and I’d already started sending out mailers around the neighborhood.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said. “This is a surprise.”

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. We spilled out into the hallway.

“A surprise, for sure,” Mrs. Russo said. “I didn’t expect an invitation, but I’m glad I got one. It’s good to see my baby.” She reached up and pinched Nate’s cheek. Despite the fierce scowl he aimed at her, she laughed.

I fidgeted with the bags in my hands. “I hope you have a great time.”

“We will. Now, don’t be a stranger. You come over for coffee and chat. I’ll be here until after the new year.” She took Lilah’s hand and hurried to keep up with the girl as she skipped down the hallway.

I turned toward Nate, trying hard to not notice how his sweater stretched perfectly across his shoulders, or how just the sight of him made my insides warm. “So, your mom, huh?”