Page 67 of Small Town Sizzle

I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. Instead, I just sit there, staring at her, unsure of how to answer.

Laura stands, smoothing her hands over her jeans. “Just think about it, Garrett. That’s all I’m saying. I think you and Maya could be good together. If you let yourself go there.”

“I will think about it, Laura. She’s a really special woman, and I don’t want to rush anything with her.”

She giggles and rolls her eyes before she starts toward the door. “Look up a company called Plum Lane. Your mom was always complaining about them pushing against her when she got the wetlands protected.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Maya

The smell of buttery popcorn and fried dough wafts through the air as Jaz and I walk through the gates of the town carnival. Her hand is firmly tucked in mine, and I glance down at her, taking in the way her eyes are already darting from one flashing light to another, her excitement barely contained.

“Mom, look at that!” Jaz exclaims, pointing toward a spinning ride that twirls high into the sky, its lights dancing in sync with the carnival music.

I chuckle, squeezing her hand. “We just got here, Jazzy. Let’s start slow, okay? Maybe a game or two before we start spinning around in the air?”

She pouts but quickly recovers when she spots a booth offering oversized stuffed animals as prizes. “Fine, but you’re winning me that giant panda, okay? No excuses.”

I grin. “Challenge accepted.”

We weave through the crowd, pausing occasionally to take in the sights. The carnival feels alive, buzzing with laughter, screams from the rides, and the steady hum of cheerful chatter.

“We haven’t done anything with just the two of us for a while,” I mention slowly. “Even before Alex came…”

She glances up at me and smiles. “It’s okay, Mom. Really. I like getting you all to myself, of course, but I also know that you’re a really great mom. I’ve learned that not everyone is as lucky as me, so it’s okay that I have to share you.”

“You’re pretty wise for a twelve-year-old,” I laugh as I give her a big hug. “I’m lucky to have you.”

At the game booth, I try my hand at ring toss, managing to land a ring after three failed attempts. Jaz cheers loudly, and the attendant hands her a smaller version of the giant panda she had her eyes on.

“It’s not the big one, but it’s still cute,” she says, hugging the stuffed animal tightly.

“It’s the warm-up,” I tease. “We’ll get the big one next time.”

We wander deeper into the carnival, stopping to share a funnel cake and play a few more games. Jaz is on cloud nine as she bounces from one thing to the next. Moments like this remind me how much I love being her mom.

“Mom, can we go on the Ferris wheel next?” she asks, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the towering ride.

“Jazzy!”

We both turn, and I spot Chantelle running toward us, her curls bouncing as she waves enthusiastically. Behind her is Garrett, wearing a casual smile that makes my heart skip. He’s wearing a tight black T-shirt with Johnny Cash’s face emblazoned on it, in addition to a pair of dark jeans and boots. It’s nothing like I’ve seen him wear since I met him, but I like the change.

“Chantelle!” Jaz squeals, running to meet her halfway. The two girls hug like they haven’t seen each other in years, even though it’s only been a day.

“Hey,” Garrett says, stopping a few feet away from me. He’s holding a stuffed unicorn and a bag of cotton candy. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Same,” I reply, a little flustered. “You brought Chantelle?”

“Yeah, Mason is somewhere with his friends. I thought Ethan and Laura could use some time to themselves.”

“Wow, that’s really nice of you.”

“I haven’t really gotten to spend a lot of time with them.”

“Mr. Garrett.” Jaz grins as she gives him a giant hug. “Thanks for dinner the other day. How did you know exactly how I like my milkshake?”

“Oh, that was all Miss Betty,” he laughs. “She put everything together for me.”