Page 21 of Rebound

“I don’t have bad feelings about what happened between us.” That was a lie. “And I don’t think she does either.”

“Do you think it’s weird she’s dating already?”

“I honestly don’t care.”

Kenzie frowned, using her first two fingers to spin the stem of the wine glass, sloshing the liquid around the edges of the glass. “I kind of do.”

“Have you told her?”

She nodded.

“What did she say?” he asked.

“She doesn’t really care.” Kenzie shrugged, and he could see the hurt in her face because it so closely resembled his own. The knit brows and the delicate lines around her eyes when she frowned, the tight lips and the way she tucked her chin to her chest like if she could just change the angle of her face, no one would know she was hurting.

“I’m sure she cares,” he said. “She’s your mother.”

“She hasn’t been the same since everything happened. She’s just…very self-absorbed.”

“I don’t think it’s unfair for your mom to want to put herself first.” As he said the words, he hated himself—or them. Jennifer had been putting herself first for years, for longer than she’d ever admit. She’d been putting herself first since she’d asked Thomas to provide her with the life she wanted and then punished him for it in the next breath.

His phone buzzed and skittered across the table, and they both looked at it. Thomas grabbed it, finding a text with Ben’s name on the screen. He bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from smiling.

“What’s that look?” Kenzie asked him, tone making it clear she knew.

“I don’t think it’s unfair for your mom to put herself first,” he said again, setting his phone down on the top of his thigh. He’d deal with Ben after he finished his conversation with Kenzie.

“There’s a difference between prioritizing yourself and disregarding everyone else.”

“Maybe she’s just trying to learn the difference between the two.” His phone buzzed again.

“It’s easy for you.” She reached for another piece of bread and repeated her same crust-culling routine.

“Is it?” He didn’t think anyone had ever noticed anything he did, let alone the things he’d sacrificed in the name of making sure the people he loved were provided for.

“Don’t be modest.” Kenzie stood up and dropped her bag onto her seat. “I have to go to the bathroom; I’ll be right back.”

Thomas waited until Kenzie disappeared into the restaurant before checking his phone to read the messages from Ben.

Ben:It’s a nice day today and I hate to spend it inside but do you want to come by later?

Ben:No pressure.

Thomas:What did you have in mind?

Ben:Honestly just wanted to get off with someone else’s hand lol

Thomas laughed and shook his head, appreciating how forward Ben was now that they’d laid their cards on the table.

Thomas:I can give you a hand later today. I’m at lunch right now.

Ben:What time works for you?

Thomas:Dinner time?

Kenzie weaved her way back through the maze of patio tables and sat back down, arranging the strap of her purse over the back of the chair and returning her attention to her bread ball and her glass of wine.

Ben:Not a date.