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Back The Sweet Spot Save as PDF
Chapters (50)
  1. TITLE PAGE
  2. COPYRIGHT PAGE
  3. DEDICATION
  4. CONTENTS
  5. CHAPTER ONE PALMER
  6. CHAPTER TWO PALMER
  7. CHAPTER THREE COLE
  8. CHAPTER FOUR PALMER
  9. CHAPTER FIVE PALMER
  10. CHAPTER SIX PALMER
  11. CHAPTER SEVEN COLE
  12. CHAPTER EIGHT PALMER
  13. CHAPTER NINE PALMER
  14. CHAPTER TEN PALMER
  15. CHAPTER ELEVEN COLE
  16. CHAPTER TWELVE PALMER
  17. CHAPTER THIRTEEN PALMER
  18. CHAPTER FOURTEEN COLE
  19. CHAPTER FIFTEEN COLE
  20. CHAPTER SIXTEEN PALMER
  21. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN COLE
  22. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN PALMER
  23. CHAPTER NINETEEN PALMER
  24. CHAPTER TWENTY COLE
  25. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE PALMER
  26. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO PALMER
  27. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE PALMER
  28. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR COLE
  29. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE PALMER
  30. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX COLE
  31. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN PALMER
  32. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT PALMER
  33. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE COLE
  34. CHAPTER THIRTY PALMER
  35. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE PALMER
  36. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO COLE
  37. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE PALMER
  38. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR COLE
  39. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE PALMER
  40. CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX COLE
  41. CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN PALMER
  42. CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT COLE
  43. CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE PALMER
  44. CHAPTER FORTY COLE
  45. CHAPTER FORTY-ONE PALMER
  46. CHAPTER FORTY-TWO COLE
  47. CHAPTER FORTY-THREE PALMER
  48. EPILOGUE PALMER
  49. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  50. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I can’t do that.

Or do I just keep on with how things are going and let it be?

A slow wash of acceptance covers me, and I know the last option is the right answer. No one gets hurt. Everything is on the table that needs to be on the table. There are no lies or miscommunications.

Lord, I wish I were with her now.

I’m starting to stand up when my phone buzzes on the bed. I get to my feet and reach for the device.

Palmer:

So, on a scale of 1-10, how much can I trust you?

Me:

10.

Palmer:

Quick answer. Makes me suspicious.

Me:

Odd question and even stranger response. Makes me doubly suspicious.

Palmer:

imageImage Ethan mentioned you this morning . . .

Me:

Too bad it wasn’t you thinking of me . . .

Palmer:

I didn’t say I wasn’t. imageImage

I laugh out loud.

Me:

Awesome. Continue.

Palmer:

Right. So, I might have mentioned having dinner with your family tomorrow and he might have been really into it.

Me:

I’m really into it too.

Palmer:

So you still would be okay if we came?

Is she out of her mind?

I can’t type fast enough.

Me:

YES.

Palmer:

And your parents won’t care?

Me:

NO. I will apologize in advance for my mother’s behavior. I’m not sure what she’ll do to embarrass me and put you on the spot, I just know she will. Also, if she has a preacher here to marry us tomorrow, I had nothing to do with it and will help you escape.

Palmer:

Whoahhhhhhhh.

Me:

It comes from a good place. I swear.

Crickets.

I furiously type again.

Me:

I’ll tell Mom you’re coming around 2. Does that work?

Palmer:

Yup.

Me:

Great. Tell Ethan to bring his glove.

Palmer:

It’s on his hand as we speak.

Me:

That’s where it should be. imageImage

Palmer:

We are going to sweep the steps and do some otherwise boring chores today. I hope you have a fun Saturday!

Me:

You too. See you tomorrow.

Palmer:

Bye.

I watch the screen for a long time just in case she says something else. Finally, I stick the phone on the bedside table.

My shoulder is still sore. I work it in small circles like my therapist showed me and try to get my head straight. The email is heavy on my mind, but I push it out and focus on the day.

I’ll get to the email . . . later. Right now, I want to focus on tomorrow.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE PALMER

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

PALMER

Use your manners.” I watch Ethan bounce around the passenger’s seat, held vaguely still by only the seat belt. “‘Please.’ ‘Thank you.’ Don’t talk with your mouth full.”