Page 97
“Am I going to need to compete with this room for your attention?”
“Hmm. No.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m very sure. I’ll show you how sure after Caleb goes to bed.”
“On that note, I think I’ll go get dinner ready.” She held her hand out to Caleb. “Come on, honey, let’s leave Milo to enjoy his new table.”
Milo cleared another rack full of balls, then went to the kitchen. They were having chili and cornbread, and his stomach grumbled when he walked into the room.
“That smells so good.”
“I followed your recipe, but I lightened up a little on the spices.”
“Not a problem. I can spice mine up.” He went to the refrigerator and took out a beer. “Do you want one of these?”
She looked at the band-aid on her finger. “I think I’ll pass.”
He opened the beer and sat at the table. “What time is Mathias coming tomorrow?”
“He said he’s leaving early, so before noon.”
“And we’re still…”
“If you don’t mind.”
He took a sip of beer. “Actually, I mind a little.”
She sat across from him. “You do?”
“Yeah. I think it’s better to be honest with him from the start.”
She sighed. “You’re right. I’ll talk to him about it.”
He studied the bottle for a moment. “Do you want me to talk to him?”
“It’s better if it comes from me.”
“Okay. I’m not trying to force your hand. I just…”
“No, you’re right. I’m trying to avoid the inevitable.”
Milo took another sip of beer. “Maybe he’ll be happy for you.”
“He will. It might just take a minute for him to get there.”
After dinner and dishes, Milo read to Caleb, then Wilda put him to bed. She returned to the living room and sat next to Milo. “Do you want to go play some more pool before bed?”
“No, I’ll wait until tomorrow.”
“Are you sure? I’ll come cheer you on.”
He laughed. “Maybe one round.”
They went to the parlor, and Milo cleared the table twice, then put down his cue. “That’s enough. I believe I promised to show you how much more important you are to me than this room.”
“I recall something like that.”
