“I think I might just puncture my own ear drums if I have to listen to that fu-friggin’ awesome song again.”
I was definitely of the same opinion on that.
“But mostly, thank you for giving my kids such a good day that, even though his foot was lodged in a toilet, my son couldn’t stop going on about how much he liked you. There were a few bumps in the road, but you are far from the worst babysitter in history. They’ve been lacking when it comes to having a man who cares in their lives, so I can’t tell you what that means to me.”
Brett reached up, placed his palm against my hand on his cheek and leaned further into my touch. “So you’ll let me babysit for you again?”
A laugh escaped my throat. “You mean you’d actually want to do this again?”
“Are you kidding me? Those kids are awesome! I loved hanging with them today.”
The enthusiasm in his voice caused my chest to tighten, my heart thumping in a quick rhythm. I had to pull my hand away and take a step back. If I didn’t put space between us, who knew what I’d end up doing. Something that I’d no doubt regret. This was friendship, nothing more. That was the only way I could keep this incredible man in my life. Anything else and I’d most definitely end up destroying him.
I smiled to try and cut the tension that suddenly enveloped the room.
“Maybe after a few more practice runs. You know, with me only a few feet away.”
I decided to take my lunch hour at Virgie May’s to try and get some planning done. The twins’ fifth birthday was just around the corner and I wanted to do something special for them, but the longer I sat, the more that lead weight in the bottom of my stomach grew as I realized my budget wasn’t going to allow me to do for them what I really wanted.
“Whatcha doin’?” Emmy’s sing-song voice came from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see her and Stacia standing there with smiles on their faces. I’d gotten to know Stacia and the rest of their group pretty well over the past few weeks, mainly because of the drama that had taken place with Trevor and Lizzy almost divorcing not too long ago. I’d stood by and watched as Lizzy crumbled over the loss of the love of her life, and it ripped something apart inside me. Finally, after two weeks of seeing my friend self-destruct, I’d had enough. I’d taken it upon myself to step up to the plate and reach out to everyone who loved her. Seeing as her friends were loving, kind, and all around nosey as hell, we’d staged an intervention for the slightly insane couple to help them see how perfect they were for each other. I couldn’t begin to describe how good it made me feel to witness two people madly in love get the happily ever after they truly deserved. And finding myself being pulled into the fold with these wonderful people was a blessing for me and my kids. It was beginning to feel like I was a part of a family.
“Making a list.”
“Checking it twice and all that jazz?”
“Something like that,” I smiled. “How you doing, preggo?” I reached out to rub her belly.
“Ugh,” she groaned as she and Stacia took a seat in the empty chairs around me. “So ready for this to be over. Every time I sneeze and dribble on myself, I pray it’s my water breaking.” Stacia and I both laugh at her over-share. “How did you do it with two of these things cookin’ in you?”
“Just be thankful, that’s all I can tell you. You don’t have much longer.”
She rubbed her hands over her belly. “Nah, not much longer at all.” Her face became solemn as she looked down and traced a pattern on her tummy with her index finger.
Reaching over, I placed my hand on hers and stopped its movements. “Hey, you okay?”
Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I was pregnant once before,” she stated quietly, stunning me speechless. I knew there was a story about her and Luke’s past. I just didn’t know what that story was. And I definitely didn’t expect news of a previous pregnancy. “I was only a few weeks further along than I am now…” Her words trailed off as her voice broke. When her next words came out, my heart cracked for her. “I lost Ella.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Stacia and I both stood and wrapped Emmy in our arms, holding her silently for a bit.
When she pulled out of our grip, she was slightly more composed as she smiled and brushed a tear from her cheek.
“I’m okay,” she promised. “I’m just…” she huffed out a breath. “I guess I’m just scared. I don’t…”
She stopped talking completely and I knew exactly where her mind was going. There was no way I letting her stay there.