The Friendship List(110)
Not exactly what she wanted to hear, then reminded herself it would all be fine. She had a plan.
“What’s your time frame?” Dagmar asked. “To go see him?”
“When the house closes. Once that part of my past is behind me, I’ll be ready.”
“Are you sure?”
“No, but I’m done waiting to live my life.”
Dagmar squeezed her hand. “Good for you, child. Good for you.”
Ellen waited outside of security at SeaTac Airport. Cooper had surprised her by texting her to ask if she would pick him up at the airport. She’d immediately agreed, eager to see him.
She watched as passengers filed out, on their way to baggage claim. According to the app on her phone, his flight had reached the gate a few minutes ago. He should be—
She waved when she spotted him. Coop saw her and grinned, then broke into a run. When he reached her, he grabbed her around the waist and swung her around.
“Mom! You’re here. I’m so glad to be back. Two weeks was too long. How’s everything? Did you miss me? Can we have meatloaf for dinner?”
She laughed and hung on to him, then stepped back. “You’re taller.”
He grinned. “It was two weeks. I can’t be taller.”
“You look taller. Yes on the meatloaf. I’ve already bought everything for it. I knew you’d want that tonight.” Because it was his favorite after-a-trip food. She had no idea why, but there it was.
They walked to the escalator that would take them down to baggage claim. “You had a good time?”
“I did. Dad’s house is amazing and his wife is nice enough. The girls are annoying. They wanted to hang out with me all the time and they’re not into anything interesting. Dad took me to the studio and that was fun and I met a few movie stars, which was cool.”
He paused to check the board telling him where to get his bag, then put his arm around her. “But it wasn’t as much fun as the bus trip. I missed everybody and my room and stuff.”
“I’m glad you had a good time,” she said diplomatically, secretly cheering that Jeremy hadn’t won him over. Not her finest hour, but she could live with that. “When are you going to go see your dad again?”
“I don’t know. He said something about winter break, but it’s my senior year and I’ll have a lot going on.” He looked at her. “I know he wants to get to know me but I keep thinking I’ve been around for seventeen years. He should have tried before.”
“I don’t disagree with that, but he’s still your dad. It might be nice to have him in your life.”
“Maybe. We’ll see.” He spotted his bag and walked over to collect it. “So what’s been going on while I was gone?”
She led the way to the parking garage. “Funny you should ask.” She held up her left hand.
Cooper stared at it and the diamond ring on her left hand, then looked at her. “What?”
She waggled her fingers. “The ring?”
“It’s nice. Is it new?”
“You’re such a guy. I’m engaged. Coach and I are getting married.”
Coop came to stop, dropped his bag then pulled her close. “For real? You mean it? You’re marrying Coach?”
The intensity of his voice surprised her. “I am. Are you okay with that?”
“Okay?” He drew back and wiped away tears. “Mom, it’s the best. I’ve been hoping for a long time that you and Coach would get together, but it seemed like you only wanted to be friends. Lissa and I talked about how to get you two together, but we couldn’t come up with a plan that wasn’t totally dumb. This is great. When’s the wedding? Are we moving? Our house is too small, but if we move in with Coach, you shouldn’t sell it. You should keep it and rent it out, for income and stuff.”
He picked up his bag. “You know, if you marry Coach, that’s going to increase your income for Stanford. Is that a problem? Want me to ask Dad for tuition? I’d probably have to go see him for a week or something to get it, but I’d do that.”
There was so much love welling up inside of her, she thought she might float away. “You are the best son ever,” she whispered. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mom. But about college...”
“It’s going to be fine. Keith and I have talked about it. We’re going to get a house together that is comfortable for all of us. Lissa has already been looking online and she can’t wait for you to get back so you two can talk about it. You’re right, I will be keeping our house for income property. That will help pay for Stanford, and Keith is paying the rest of it.”
Because he wanted to and as he’d pointed out, he’d made good money in the NFL and he wanted to spend it on something that mattered. If she hadn’t already totally been in love with him, that statement would have pushed her over the edge.
“Don’t worry about money or me or anything but enjoying your senior year and keeping up your grades so you can go to Stanford, Coop. That’s what matters to me.”
He nodded, then fell into step with her. “Is there going to be a wedding soon? You know all the guys will want to come, so you’ll have to order a lot of food. And can we wear tuxes because I look good in a tux. And, Mom, you totally have to wear a dress and everything because you’ll be a beautiful bride and I know Lissa wants to be a bridesmaid. And I can stay with Luka when you go on your honeymoon. Lissa should probably stay somewhere else, because they’re like together and I don’t want to be responsible for her because if I messed up Coach would be mad.”