“Half the things you do I think you only do to annoy me, Josie. Who knows what the truth is?”
He’s in a pleasant mood. Not.
“Just please remember when you drop her off we’ll be at the new house. I texted you the address.”
“Fucking A, Josie, I just can’t believe you would be so irresponsible to move in with someone this quickly. I expected better from you,” he says, his pissed off facial expression miraculously never changing.
For a second I consider asking if he’s had Botox, but it’s not a good time. Although I’ve heard if you make a face while getting Botox is sticks like that for hours, so it could explain his current situation.
“If I recall, you moved in with Lindsey quickly.” I would call herThe Whorebut after our session a few weeks ago, I feel she deserves a name. “How is she doing?” she never called to give me an update, and I never searched one out.
Barry rolls his eyes. “That situation is different. Emma already had a relationship with Lindsey.”
My eyes widen and I have to swallow back anger so I don’t lose my cool in front of Emma. I do a little bit anyway. “Yeah, because she was the babysitter!” Why has he never understood his own bullshit?
He doesn’t respond and I’m left standing in my doorway shaking my head and questioning why I ever cried a single tear over him. I hand Emma to her Nimrod of a father along with her overnight bag and practice deep breathing so I don’t argue with him more. It’s never worth it. Barry has never seen his part in our divorce and he never will. It’s about time I give up the fight.
Barry struggles to hold Emma and her bag — he doesn’t have as much practice — and without even a goodbye from him he barely gives me time to kiss Emma twice and wave to her as he walks down the hallway. A hand settles on my shoulder and I turn, greeted with Nate’s chest. I lean my head against his pecs and watch as the two of them walk away.
“Co-parenting with him will be so much fun.”
Nate’s body shakes for a moment and then he places a soft kiss on top of my head. “We’ll make it work.”
I smile as Emma’s form disappears when they turn the corner, not because my baby is leaving for the weekend, but because I believe Nate. Even if Barry continues his asshole behavior for the rest of his life, somehow Nate and I will work through it together. For Emma’s sake.
“Why is therean entire box labeled ‘Emma shoes’?” One of the guys who Nate invited over asks as he stops in front of Tabitha and me at the kitchen table.
I stumble over my words, not sure how to explain that every time I see a cute pair of shoes, I buy them. My child will have enough footwear to get her through high school.
“You don’t ask a woman about her delicates,” Tabitha says, jumping in to save the day.
The man — I’m pretty sure he was introduced as Elliot — looks down at the box and then up at Tabitha and then down to the box again. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
Tabitha shakes her head like it’s a job well done as he turns and carries the box out of my apartment.
Katy smacks her gum, not taking her eyes off the retreating man’s butt. “If I had known they were all like this, I would’ve started showing up to these things a lot more. That’s a heavy box. Look at those muscles.”
Tabitha covers her friend’s eyes. “Don’t look at that one. He’s taken by me,” she says laughing as Katy pushes her hand down while Ridge walks by carrying a box. He winks in Tabitha’s direction and she sighs, her eyes falling to her large engagement ring as he walks out the door.
Katy looks to me. “If I’m ever that ridiculous over a man, please take me out back and shoot me.”
“Okay,” I agree laughing, hoping I never have to do anything of the sort.
“You can look at that one,” Tabitha says as Crispin walks by. “He’s single.”
“Have you and Ridge decided when you’ll tie the knot?” Katy asks, her eyes following Crispin as her tongue rubs across her top lip. “I’ve seen that one. He’s pleasant but not… preppy enough. Too much stubble.”
Tabitha’s eyes fall to the ring again. “I think the spring. If we start planning now, we can have a wedding together by then.”
“I hope you’re prepared to invite the whole town to the reception.” Katy leans to the side so she doesn’t lose her view of Crispin walking away. She doesn’t appear too upset over his stubble from this angle.
“Absolutely not. I want a small intimate affair, maybe thirty people.”
“A small wedding would be beautiful in the spring,” I say, thinking of the little white chapel in town.
Katy shakes her head. “You are marrying Ridge Jefferson.The Ridge Jefferson. Everyone expects an invitation. The whole town wants to witness the event.”
“You think so?” Tabitha asks hesitantly.
