Worth the Wait(28)

“Hey, nothing is going to happen,” I told her adamantly. “You hear me? Nothing. Your doctor knows what she’s doing. She knows your history and she knows how to prevent it from happening again. You can trust her.”

“She’s right, babe,” Stacia agreed. “You have a high-risk OB and she’s already promised that everything is perfectly fine with this little dude. It’s all gonna be great.”

Emmy inhaled deeply, closed her eyes and exhaled. “You’re right.” The strong chick I had grown to know reappeared before my eyes. “This little spud’s gonna be terrorizing his mommy before we know it.”

We all laughed, and I released a relieved sigh knowing Emmy was all right.

“So, what’s your list about? Emmy asked, quick to change the subject as she pulled the pad toward her. “Ooh, fun! A birthday party!”

“Yeah, I’m not really sure how much fun it’ll be,” I lamented as I pulled my notepad back.

“What are you talking about?” Stacia chimed in. “All parties are fun. Even if they’re for five-year-olds.”

My discomfort with the conversation was made even worse when Brett, in all his sweaty construction worker glory, came sauntering into the diner.

“Well, if it isn’t my lucky day.” He shot a devastating grin toward our table before leaning down to plant a kiss on Emmy and Stacia’s cheeks. “Ladies, you’re looking beautiful as ever.”

An unwanted pang of jealousy spiked through me at his flirty banter with the girls. But before I even had a chance to remind myself we’d agreed to be just friends, he stopped at my side and leaned in, whispering in my ears only, “Beauty, you’re the most gorgeous of all.” The kiss he placed on my cheek lingered a little longer than a friendship warranted, and I felt an instant heat throughout my entire body.

With the new rooms at the salon being finished, I’d begun to really miss being able to see Brett every day. Every morning I walked into work and didn’t see his smiling face was like a punch to my chest. I hadn’t realized just how much seeing him all the time brightened my day. Despite the fact we’d both said we could be nothing more, my traitorous feelings for him refused to go away. Trying to maintain a healthy friendship with him while picturing our one night together over and over was proving to be exceedingly difficult. Especially when he flirted so easily, or said things to me that made my body quiver.

“So, what’s going on?” he asked casually as he took the empty chair right next to me.

“We’re just talking about the twins’ birthday party,” Emmy replied before I could come up with a believable lie and switch the subject to something else.

Brett’s bright eyes met mine as he asked, “Cool, so what’s the plan then, Momma?”

I tried not to sound upset as I told them, “I’ll probably just take them to Chuck E. Cheese.”

“Oh, no! You have to have a party,” Emmy told me. “They’re turning five. We need to have a big blow out.”

My shoulders slumped. That was exactly what I was hoping to give them but the money just wasn’t adding up. “A big blow out isn’t something I can afford right now,” I spoke in a hushed voice, embarrassed to admit I couldn’t throw the big party that turning five warranted.

“Well what the hell do you think you have us for?” Emmy asked. “Sorry, babe. When you stepped up for Liz, you officially became part of the family. That means we all chip in to throw those precious little hellions a kickass birthday.”

“I can’t ask you to do that—”

“You didn’t ask,” she interrupted. “That’s the beauty of this little gang right here. We horn in and take over before you even get to ask for the help. We’re awesome like that.”

“And I throw amazing parties,” Stacia chirped excitedly. I could practically see the ideas floating around in her head.

“But where will we have it, huh? I live in a two-bedroom apartment, guys. On the second level! A bunch of kids running around like crazy is just screaming, ‘hey, evict me! Evict me!’”

“We’ll have it at my place.” Brett’s gravelly voice jerked my attention his way.

“What?”

“That’s perfect!” Emmy cried. “Brett has the best backyard EVER! It’s huge and backs up right to the woods behind his house. Great idea, Brett.”

“You guys, I can’t—”

Brett leaned in so close I could smell the strong sent of laundry detergent and fresh air that came off him. “Yes you can, beauty,” his tone soft yet commanding. It was a tone that garnered instant attention.