The bottle of champagne rests on the blistering cold ice. I scoot to the edge of the couch and grab it out of the bucket, then pop it open. The pop of the cork is sharp, but not sharp enough to silence the reminder that my life is slipping out of my hands.
Just as I’m pouring the second flute for Jessie, she walks back into the room with Roxanne following behind her, rolling a rack filled with clothes.
My eyebrows rise as I take in all of the items. “Wow. You gathered all of that quickly.”
Roxanne smiles enthusiastically. “It’s my job. Plus, this one has a figure to die for. I may have gotten carried away with my excitement to dress her.”
Jessie’s shoulders are no longer at her ears. She seems to have relaxed back to her normal posture. “Roxanne is amazing. She’s my new favorite person.”
Eli cries in the stroller. I stand up and wheel her closer to me, then pull her out. “I think she’s offended thatshe’snot your new favorite person.”
Jessie’s lips turn down. “Eli girl, you’re my most favorite. I’m so sorry.”
She takes her from my arms and gives her chubby cheek a big kiss. My heart flips over in my chest. It stirs something deep within me, equal parts warmth and ache. She fits so easily into this moment, into our lives, that it’s almost too easy to imagine a future that isn’t mine to hope for.
“She’s precious,” Roxanne gushes as she grabs Eli’s little hand and rubs her skin. “You two made one beautiful baby girl.”
It’s like pouring salt in the wound. I grab my champagne glass and take a large sip while Jessie smiles as she holds Eli in her arms.
“Oh, I’m not her mother. Walker and I are just … friends.”
“Really?” Roxanne asks, not even trying to hide her surprise. “Well, you could’ve fooled me.” She grabs two large handfuls of clothes. “Anyway, I’m going to hang these in your room behind this curtain. While you try some of these on, I’ll go find some more options.”
With Roxanne gone, Eli starts to wiggle and whine in Jessie’s arms.
I reach into the diaper bag and pull out a bottle. “Here. I’ll take her. She needs to eat. You go ahead and begin the fashion show.”
She hands her back to me. “Fashion show? You don’t seriously think I’m modeling this stuff for you?”
“Of course I do. I’m here to help you. Don’t you want my opinion?”
“Your opinion or your smart-ass remarks?” She crosses her arms across her chest.
I place the bottle in Eli’s mouth and lean back against the couch. “Can’t it be both?”
She rolls her eyes. “Ugh, you are so annoying.”
“I think you love it.” I smile confidently up at her.
She tries not to smile, but I see the hint of one tugging at the corner of her mouth.
“Get your cute butt in there and try some clothes on.”
Instead of fighting me on it, she actually spins around and walks into the changing room. The curtain closes, and I focus back on Eli, who is sucking down her bottle.
When she comes back out, she’s wearing a white sheath dress with a mandarin collar with a matching belt at the waist with a gold buckle. She looks like a high-powered attorney, ready for a day in court.
“Classy,” I tell her as she walks in front of the mirror.
“It’s nice. I’d be terrified to eat anything in it, but I do really like it.”
She cranes her neck as she continues to look at herself from different angles. Her curves are pure perfection. The mound of her ass is accentuated flawlessly in the dress.
“Looks like it’s going in the yes pile.”
“Maybe. I don’t want to go crazy here, Walker. Maybe a dress or two.”
I laugh loudly at the absurdity. “Babe, we aren’t leaving here until we have enough to fill your closet. Next one. Time is ticking.”
