Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
I don’t have time to respond before Winnie introduces the last woman. “And Farren”—Winnie gestures to a woman who looks like a fashion model, her smile steady and quiet—“she claims Rafferty as her brother but is more commonly known as North’s girlfriend.”
Farren’s handshake is firm. “Welcome to the jungle.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, the nerves in my voice evident. “Thank you for inviting me.”
The women beam at me, and I can see that they sense my nervousness. A server appears and within a minute slides a slender flute in front of me, gold bubbles racing to the rim. I glance at it, then at Winnie.
She tips her chin, conspiratorially. “You can do half OJ, if that feels safer.”
“I’m fine.” I hear my own voice and realize a drink would probably be relaxing. I lift the glass. “Thank you again.”
They chorus more welcomes, a flock of friendly birds.
It starts easy—menus and food.
“You must try the lemon-ricotta pancakes,” Mila insists, and I don’t argue. It sounds delicious.
“But the pastries here are practically illegal,” Willa declares.
“It’s the omelets for me,” Winnie insists and then launches into a story about Lucky trying to flip an omelet and launching it so hard, it smacked the ceiling.
And it goes on. I laugh, sipping champagne and smiling until my cheeks hurt. When I tried to talk myself out of going, Atlas kept insisting that I would love these women and I needed to step outside my comfort zone.
I still wasn’t convinced until he used stupid logic on me. “Don’t you want Grayce to have lots of friends?”
“Of course I do,” I replied without thought. “What parent wouldn’t want that?”
“Our parents,” he responded dryly, “but that’s kind of my point. Your past kept you friendless and you know that’s not how it should have been. Lead your daughter by example and start developing more relationships.”
He was so right, even though it angered me a little that he used my past against my fears. But Atlas is dogged in that way and I imagine it won’t be the last time he pushes me in such a way.
Somewhere between the first sip of bubbly and the arrival of a basket of warm biscuits, the questions begin. Not gentle, exactly, but not prying either. Just… curious and intentional.
“How are you settling in?” Tempe asks, tone so even it makes honesty apparent.
I fiddle with the napkin on my plate. “It’s different. Pittsburgh’s not Chicago. I miss my coffee place, my little grocery where the clerk would save the overripe bananas for me. I miss my work.” The last part comes out softer. “But.”
“But,” Farren prompts as she leans forward.
I picture Atlas on the floor in his sweats, Grayce belly-laughing in the swing. “But seeing Atlas with Grayce—” My throat tightens around his name. “This is where I should be. Gray wanted more than just me for his daughter.”
Mila smiles. “That’s a big but.”
“Wait. Did she just admit Atlas is—” Willa makes a whistling sound. “A butt?”
“Behave,” Tempe says with a giggle, then turns to me. “How’s Atlas doing in his new role? I can’t even imagine having a baby literally land in my lap. He’s so lucky to have you in on this.”
A smile plays at my mouth. “Surprisingly, he’s so good with Grayce. They say some people are a natural with kids, and I’m telling you, he’s a natural.”
Tempe sighs. “That’s the way it should be, right?”
Mazzy bounces, eyes huge. “Okay, but serious question. Atlas is… he’s hot. Like, objectively we all know this. But add on the dad with a baby thing, and…” She fans her face with her hand and all the women snicker. “You’ve got the whole hot dad thing going on.”
Heat crawls up my neck, traitorously revealing. “He’s—” I twist my napkin so hard it tears. “He’s confusing.”
“Confusingly hot,” Willa clarifies, delighted.
I glance around the table. These women are loud, nosy, maybe a little pushy, but not in the way that makes me want to shrink or bolt. They’re leaning in, not letting me dodge, but there’s no malice behind it. No pettiness but rather a welcome into their tight-knit club.
I would want the same for Grayce one day, and for someone who’s always kept her circle locked up, it feels startlingly safe. This is the new life I’m starting.
I exhale. Might as well jump. “He’s gorgeous. And kind. And bossy. And he cooks with suspicious spinach.”
The table laughs and it’s Winnie who pushes me for more. “Is there anything between you two?”
I think of that almost-kiss yesterday in the park and how it made things awkward between us last night because neither of us was sure what to do with it.
“I think there could be?” I admit to the ladies. “We almost kissed yesterday… at least I think that’s where it was going, but it got interrupted by Grayce attempting to take her first steps.”