Page 28 of Now and Then

I snatch my bag and close the door, keeping my eye roll to myself. “Hey now, I’ve got all my marbles perfectly contained.” I give Rowan a wink. “Hi, buddy. How’s my favorite guy today?”

He runs forward and wraps his little arms around my waist. My heart bursts out of my chest.

“Great!” he says. “We’re going to the museum today, and Mommy is shap-a-rooning.”

“You mean chaperoning?” I laugh, and he nods quickly with a huge grin spreading across his face. I say, “I’m so jealous! I’d love to go to the museum with you today. I bet you’re going to have so much fun.”

“Oh yes,” Navy grumbles, “going to a museum with twenty-five preschoolers should be glorious fun.” This woman could give these storm clouds a run for their money. But I know the truth: she’s a squishy marshmallow inside and would do anything for the people she loves. Navy recently took over Ground Up, at least as co-owner until she can find a financial backer to help her buy out the current owner.

“Are you on your way to school now?” I ask Rowan.

“We gots to get snackies first.” Rowan sits on a nearby bench. “Mommy says she can’t surbibe the day without them.”

Navy shrugs her shoulders. “Snacks are life. What can I say?”

I wrap my arms around her. “You’re an amazing mom. Have I told you that lately?”

“Only all the time.”

I can feel her smiling against my shoulder. She pulls away and asks, “What are you doing out this early?”

“I’m headed to Ground Up for food before showing a property. Care to join me?” I step toward the entrance.

“Let us run to the corner store, and we’ll meet you there.” She grabs Rowan’s hand, and they head down the block.

It’s gloriously quiet inside the café, with only a few people in line. I slip out of my jacket and leave it at a table near the window and hop in line. I notice Navy’s changed out a few of the paintings that adorn the dark blue walls to fall-colored floral pieces, and she’s added even more plants. There’s a new reading nook with cognac-colored leather chairs. It’s as romantic and classic in style as she is.

“Hey, Sutton,” James says from behind the register. “What can I get you?”

“I’ll have a hot lavender latte and a breakfast burrito.”

“Alright.” He reads the total, and I pay and step to the side.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith catch my eye, and we wave at each other. I sold them their ranch house years ago, a perfect fit for their growing family. I like knowing I can find my clients exactly what they want.

“So, uh, how’s your morning, Sutton?” James asks, pulling my attention back to him.

“It’s great. Well, except the rain. I’m showing the Johnson property at the lake today, and the rain is not going to agree with these shoes.” I lift my leg to the side to show off my black patent leather pumps.

“News said it’s supposed to storm pretty much all day.”

“Great.” I suck in a deep breath in my greatest attempt to control my bubbling frustration.

“I don’t mean to overstep,” James says, “but I saw your profile and wanted to see if you’d like to go to dinner this weekend?”

It takes a second for my brain to comprehend what he said. “My profile?”

“Yeah, your Find Love profile . . .” He looks down at the espresso shot he’s pulling and brings his gaze back to me.

What is he talking about?

“The dating app?” James says. “I could have sworn that was your picture.”

I open my mouth, close it, and open it again. “I know what Find Love is, James,” I manage to say. “And I can promise you I don’t have a profile.”

Moist air floods the café as the door swings open. Rowan rushes to my side while his mom sets their bags of snacks and backpacks on a nearby table.

“We’re back, Sutton,” Rowan says. “Mommy says I can have hot chocolate!”