Room to Grow

by Lisa Heaton

  They talked about Chloe’s visit the following week. Just the night before, Chloe had called to confirm. Until then, the visit had been up in the air.

  “She’ll be here this weekend?” Josh said.

  “Yes.”

  When she said nothing else, he said, “I’m guessing you won’t tell her about us?”

  Sophie just looked at him with one eyebrow cocked.

  He nodded. “I get it. This is new.”

  “She wouldn’t understand.”

  “Why, because of the age thing?”

  “Yeah. She says Kevin’s relationship with his twenty-eight-year-old girlfriend is pathetic and embarrassing.”

  “Ouch!”

  She looked away.

  “I see now why this has been such a big deal to you.”

  “Do you?”

  He grasped her chin and made her look at him. “I do. And it makes me even more glad that you’re giving this a chance.”

  At quitting time Josh looked up from his desk and cleared his throat to get her attention. Then he reached for his phone.

  Josh: Are we still on for tonight

  Sophie: Yes. Home-cooked meal.

  Josh: Let’s go shopping and grab something 4 the grill. That’s ez.

  The thought of Josh going with her to her local supermarket made Sophie’s stomach queasy. She couldn’t go free of make-up without running into someone she knew. Imagine taking her tattooed semi-boyfriend.

  Her response: I’ll stop for chicken on the way home.

  Josh: No need. I’ll go with u

  She looked up to find him looking at her.

  Sophie: Okay. I’ll wait until you get there.

  The trip to the grocery proved uneventful, but it served as a reminder how complicated this thing would be. Every moment in the store, she had been peeking around corners in case there was anyone she knew.

  While loading the groceries into the back of her car, Josh said, “See, we made it through without your friends seeing us.” He went to return the cart.

  When he got into the car, she said, “Josh…” What could she say? He had seen right through her.

  He held up his hands. “You don’t have to explain.”

  They rode home without discussing it again, but Sophie couldn’t get it off her mind. How in the world was she going to navigate this without hurting him? The truth was, if anyone saw them, she would be mortified.

  After dinner and while they were searching through Netflix, Josh took the remote from her and turned the TV off.

  “I want you to be comfortable with this, but you’re not. I see that,” he said.

  “I want to be comfortable with this, too.”

  “From now on we will stay off the radar here in Brentwood. I’ll come and chill and watch movies, but I won’t put you in that position again, not until you’re ready.”

  “Thank you for understanding.”

  The remainder of the week was much the same. They flirted at work and spent their evenings at her house. On Friday night they met Drake and Dena for dinner. Then Sophie went home to get ready for Chloe the next day.

  Her last conversation with Josh had ended with him disappointed. While Chloe was in town, Sophie wouldn’t see Josh outside of work. He had only nodded when she told him, but she knew it bothered him.

  She tried to put herself in his position. If he wanted to hide their relationship from his friends, that would hurt her feelings. The way he was putting up with her demands was astonishing. What kind of guy would hang in there and be as patient?

  Sophie dusted Chloe’s room and changed her sheets. When finished, she stood in the doorway and sighed at the thought of her girl being home, if only for a few days. When she had sent Chloe off to school, it was the single most painful event of her life – even more than her divorce. It wasn’t until Chloe’s absence that she grasped how unhealthy her attachment to her daughter had been.

  The next morning Sophie sat on the porch texting with Josh while she waited for Chloe to arrive. His messages were often funny and kept her smiling. When she saw that little blue Honda pull in, she texted: The eagle has landed. Have a good weekend.

  Josh: So I can’t even text u while she’s there

  Sophie: Sure, you can.

  Sophie jumped and ran to the driveway, then nearly tackled an unsuspecting Chloe when she stood from the car.

  “I’ve missed you!” Sophie didn’t want to let go. “I haven’t hugged this neck since Christmas.”

  “I’m so glad to have this neck hugged.”

  Sophie released her and held her back to look at her. “You’re just as pretty as ever.”

  “You, too,” Chloe said. “You look amazing.”

  “Amazing? I’m not sure I’ve looked amazing since I was your age.”

  “Seriously, you do. Your cheeks are pink from the sun.” She smiled at her mom. “I think you’re glowing.”

  “I feel like I’m glowing.”

  They went inside and got Chloe settled into her room.

  “What is your schedule while you’re here?” Sophie said.

  “This weekend is yours and only yours.”

  “I can live with that.”

  “I’ll see dad for, like, five minutes.”

  “You need more time with him than that,” Sophie said.

  Chloe grinned. “Maybe six, but that’s all. Then I’ll see some friends.” She clapped her hands. “That will conclude the Chloe visit.”

  “As long as I get my weekend, I’m good.” Sophie twirled a lock of her daughter’s hair. “What do you want to do today? Want Mom’s home cooking or a restaurant? Or how about some shopping?”

  “What about all three over the course of the weekend?”

  “I need some new clothes, and I want you to help me pick some things out. Not young looking, but more stylish than what I usually wear.”

  “Seriously? You’re ditching mom-wear?”

  “I am. You can help sculpt me into something fresh and new.”

  “I’m your girl.”

  They had lunch out first and went to the mall. They spent an hour looking before Sophie would commit to her first purchase. Chloe was getting frustrated.

  “You look even more amazing in that,” Chloe said when Sophie came out wearing a shorter, funky dress. “Get it.”

  “I may be too old for this one.”

  “How are you too old? You have the legs to pull it off.”

  “Can I wear tights with it?”

  “Why would you do that?” Chloe said.

  “Look at my old lady knees.”

  Chloe looked at her knees and even bent over for a better view. “What?”

  “I think the skin is beginning to sag.”

  “Like Grandma’s? No way.”

  “I see it,” Sophie said with a deep frown.

  “Well, I don’t. But if it’s a thing, you can wear leggings – not tights.”

  “Okay. Then I’m buying the dress. I wear t-shirts to work every day, so I need more pants than anything.” Sophie thought of Josh. “And maybe a few cute outfits if I go meet the girls for dinner.”

  They left the mall, each with both hands full of Sophie’s new look. She couldn’t be any more pleased. Kevin’s preference for what she had worn was formal and what he considered classy. Her new clothes better represented who she was now and had a fresh feel that her mom-wear didn’t. For the first time she was brave enough to buy skinny jeans, something Chloe said made her look ten years younger. She had to grin at that thought. That was almost exactly what she needed: ten years shaved off.

  Once, she had texted a photo to Josh from the dressing room with the caption: Next date night?

  His immediate reply: Luv! Can’t wait to c it in person

  Sophie’s heart was pounding still at their private communication. There was nothing in the world like a blossoming romance, especially a secret one with a guy who was very nearly perfect.

  When the weekend was over and Chloe began to venture out to visi
t her father and friends, Sophie’s life became a little more normal. Work was blissful with her across-the-hall neighbor flirting with her throughout the day. One night, when Chloe agreed to spend the night with Kevin and Jamie, Sophie and Josh were able to have dinner out, but that was their only night together.

  On Friday, the day before she was supposed to leave, Chloe showed up at Sophie’s office unexpectedly.

  Sophie jumped to her feet when she saw her daughter walk through the door. “Chloe!”

  Chloe stepped into her mom’s office. “This is your stuff from home.”

  “It is.”

  “This is gorgeous! I love this room. No wonder you love to come to work every day.”

  Josh was in the hallway within seconds. “Chloe? Look at you all grown up.”

  “Great to see you,” Chloe said. “It’s been what, ten years?”

  “More like eleven. You were just a little girl back then.”

  With her mouth suddenly dry and her words shaky, Sophie said, “What are you doing out this way?”

  “I was hungry for Baja Burrito. Can you go with me?” Chloe turned to Josh. “You’re welcome to come, too.”

  Sophie spoke up. “I’m sure he has plenty –”

  “I’d love to have lunch with you girls. Your mom and I don’t have anything scheduled until later this afternoon.”

  Before she knew what was happening, they were all making the walk to the restaurant district. In the few seconds that Chloe walked ahead of them, Sophie looked at Josh with eyes wide.

  In a silent gesture, he raised his hands and shrugged his shoulders. “What?”

  Like him, she mouthed the words. “Don’t mention us.”

  “I won’t.”

  When they were seated, Chloe said, “I keep telling Mom how amazing it is that you have a gardening business now and that you ran into her, like life has come full-circle, ya know?”

  Josh nodded, looked at Sophie, and said, “I agree. I can’t tell you what she means to me.”

  Sophie kicked Josh beneath the table, barely able to swallow her bite of chicken burrito.

  He continued unhindered. “She’s changed the landscape of our office.” He grinned. “Pun intended.”

  The two talked while Sophie listened, her heart glowing that her two favorite people had so much to discuss. They discussed the college campus, Chloe’s classes, and her lack of plans after graduation. Josh asked questions, and Chloe talked.

  Once, Sophie noticed how Josh moved his hand as if to reach for hers out of habit. She gave him a look that said he better not dare. From then on she kept her hands in her lap.

  “I hear you’re leaving tomorrow,” Josh said to Chloe.

  “I am. I think I’ve done all I can do here and am getting a little restless.”

  “What have you two done, anything fun?”

  Chloe looked at her mom. “Just the usual: shopping, eating, making cookies – girl stuff. I guess we’ll binge on Netflix tonight.”

  “We could have a movie night,” he said. “Your mom has hosted before.”

  Sophie spoke up. “I’m sure Chloe wouldn’t be interested in that.”

  “Of course, I would. It’s way too quiet with just us two.”

  “Great! I’ll bring the crew.” He stood. “I’ll let you two finish up while I head back to the office.” He looked down and grinned at Sophie. “We can head out when you get back.”

  Josh left and Sophie just sat and stared. What was he thinking?

  “Could he be any cuter?” Chloe said.

  “Who, Josh? Yeah, he’s kinda cute.”

  “You would have to be dead not to notice.” Chloe broke into a smile. “Does he have a girlfriend?

  “He’s seeing someone.”

  To interrupt her daughter’s train of thought, Sophie said, “Have you heard from Austin?”

  Chloe started ranting about their latest blow-up. Sophie knew that would do the trick.

  ***

  Josh watched Sophie in the parking lot with Chloe. They hugged and talked a minute more before Chloe climbed into her car and backed out. He couldn’t help but smile at how Sophie stood and watched her girl drive away, waving until Chloe was out of sight.

  His time with them was what he had wanted since Chloe had arrived, to see Sophie in action as a mom again. If she was ever her happiest, it was in the presence of her daughter. That was something he had always remembered from back when Chloe was little, how close the two were. For Sophie’s sake he was glad to see that hadn’t changed.

  When Sophie turned on her heel and stormed toward the steps, Josh braced himself for her reaction to him committing them to a movie night.

  She walked into his office and stopped with hands propped on her hips. “What were you thinking?”

  Unaffected, he stood, walked around his desk, and drew her into his arms. “I’ve missed you this week.”

  “We’re together every day.”

  “Not like this.” He pulled her even closer and kissed her, feeling the tension leave her the moment she leaned into him.

  She stepped back. “Let me tell her something came up. You and I can have movie night tomorrow, once she’s gone.”

  “No way. I’ve already texted Drake and Dena. They’re in.” He grinned. “It’ll be fine, Soph. Don’t worry. I’ll play it cool.”

  Sophie shook her head as she left his office. “Yeah, but I don’t know if I can.”

  Josh arrived at Sophie’s first with the pizza. Instead of knocking, he opened the screen door and poked his head in. “Hello!”

  “We’re in here,” Sophie called from the kitchen.

  “Drake and Dena aren’t far behind me,” he said and set the pizzas on a counter already filled with food. “What in the world?”

  Sophie was taking mini cheesecakes out of the oven.

  “Mom in her element,” Chloe said with an eye roll.

  “I’ve told her not to go all out.” He reached for a brownie. “Drake won’t complain.”

  Sophie began to tell Chloe about Drake and Dena and their first movie night when watching Star Wars. She just kept talking and talking until she looked at Josh who stared at her wide-eyed.

  “Mom, what’s going on with you?”

  “Nothing. You know I get high-strung when I’m entertaining.”

  “Geez! It’s just a movie night. Chill.”

  “Yeah, it’s just a movie night. Chill.” Josh echoed Chloe’s tone with a broad grin.

  Chloe’s eyes flew open. “Oh, I get it now.”

  Sophie looked at him with a look of sheer panic on her face, then turned to Chloe. “Get what?”

  “Drake and Josh!”

  When Josh nodded and laughed, Sophie said, “What?”

  Chloe gave her that look. “You know, Drake and Josh, the show on Disney?”

  Sophie looked at Josh, still clueless.

  He said, “It was a show about two best friends.”

  “Ohh,” Sophie said nodding. “You’re Drake and Josh. I remember that show.”

  He couldn’t help but feel bad for Sophie, but he was enjoying her discomfort way too much.

  “So, Josh, Mom says you’re seeing someone. Won’t she be coming?”

  Without missing a beat, Josh said, “She’s home with her kid tonight.”

  Dena and Drake arrived. They ate in the kitchen until Drake began to corral the group in to watch Lord of the Rings.

  The movie played, and all watched except Josh and Sophie. Like before, he had casually sat down next to her. That had her obviously on edge. On occasion, sure Chloe wasn’t watching, he would brush Sophie’s hand with his. Once, he looped his finger around hers for just a second.

  When Chloe left the room to fight with her boyfriend on the phone, Josh snuck in and kissed Sophie on the cheek.

  “You guys are killing me.” Drake reached for another cheesecake.

  Dena smiled at Sophie. “I think it’s cute.”

  “When are you gonna stop sneaking around like a couple
of teenagers?” Drake said.

  Chloe walked back into the room, so all went silent again.

  “What’d I miss?”

  Drake just laughed. “Shh!”

  When the movie ended, Josh stayed behind to help the girls clean. His hope was that Chloe would head off to her room so that he could have a moment alone with Sophie. That never happened, so he ended up offering to take out the trash on his way out.

  It was a letdown to leave without kissing her good night, so Josh got into his truck and pulled a few houses down to park.

  Around back of her house, he waited for her bedroom light to come on before he tapped.

  “You are so predictable,” Sophie said through the cracked door.

  He took her hand and pulled her outside. “I had to see you.”

  “I’m so glad you came tonight,” she said and circled her arms around his neck.

  “You’re not mad, then?”

  “No. How could I be mad at that face?”

  Josh lowered his head. “I hope to never leave without giving you a goodbye kiss.” He raised her head until her lips met his.

  When he took a step back, he said, “Text me the minute she’s gone tomorrow. I’ll be here.”

  Sophie nodded. “I will.”

  He stepped back in. “One more for the road.”

  Chapter Nine

  Since she had little in the way of reference, Sophie couldn’t say for sure, but if she had to guess, she would say her relationship with Josh was what every old lady would dream of. He was ninety-nine percent perfect. For the life of her, she couldn’t find the negative one percent, but she knew there had to be something.

  They had been dating for a few weeks. Still, no one knew except Karen, Drake and Dena, and a discerning Justine. Justine never said anything, but she knew.

  Sophie could hardly call what she did each day work. No one she knew was as happy to get to the office.

  The appointment they were currently en route to was one that Sophie had scheduled. Her friend’s brother had contacted her and asked for an estimate. When they arrived at his house, Phil met them on the front sidewalk. He took a step forward as if to hug Sophie, but Josh stepped in with his hand extended.