“You scared me there for a second,” Nicole said.
“This is such an unusual situation. I can’t decide if this is just no big deal, or if we should do shots first, or if I should offer you a robe? It’s your call. How can I make you comfortable?” The guest bedroom was painted light green and had a full bed with a blue comforter. The bed was oak and there was a long oak dresser with a large mirror. One of the features Devin had demanded when this house was built was that each bedroom had an ensuite bath. Devin opened the top dresser drawer and pulled out a short terry cloth robe. “Would you like this?”
Nicole took the robe. “I have to say, for me, it’s kind of a big deal. Shots on a weeknight are a big no, and thanks very much for the robe.” She walked into the bathroom and shut the door. She set down the robe on the counter. Her mouth was dry and she wondered, if it was this hard to have no shirt on in front of someone she’d known and loved for practically three decades, how was it going to feel to take off her top in front of Sean? Maybe she should just not. Maybe she’d feel more comfortablein a few months, or maybe he wouldn’t mind. Maybe they could have sex with their clothes on? Hey it happened on TV fairly often.
“You can do hard things,” Devin said from the bedroom, as if she understood Nicole’s current mindset.
Nicole took a deep breath, rubbed the sweat off her hands on her jeans, and then she took off her shirt and bra and slipped into the robe. She cinched it closed, put her hand on the door handle and opened the door. Then she walked over to Devin, shut her eyes, and opened the robe.
“I think I’m having breast surgeon PTSD,” she said nervously.
“Don’t worry,” said Devin, “I’m only going to look. I won’t touch you or check for any lumps.”
Nicole shivered, “Ugh, definitely PTSD moment.”
“Honey, you look fine. You look like a woman in her thirties, with a nice rack."
“But the one?”
“It just looks like it needs a little attention. Let’s say you were in a crowd of topless women, you wouldn’t stand out. I mean if it would make you feel better, I’d show you what I look like after tandem breast-feeding the twins for a year. We’ve been through some life-altering things, Nicole, and our bodies only tell part of that story. I’m not saying it’s all in your head. I’m saying you’ve still got them, and you shouldn’t be afraid to flaunt them.”
“I’m trying to roll my eyes at that last part, but my eyes are too puffy from crying.” Nicole tied the robe and sat down next to Devin on the bed.
“You have a terrible time taking compliments, but I need you to accept this one. You are a beautiful, amazing woman.”
Nicole just smiled, her throat and heart too full to speak.
“I’m not always right.”
Nicole cocked her head and smiled, “Big of you to say.”
Devin gently knocked her knee into Nicole’s leg, “Behave, I’m trying to hype you up. Sean likes you and I am sure that he will be elated that you are ready to show all of yourself to him and I know he will worship you like the goddess you are. I see your face, I know you want to pooh-pooh this, and I need you to stop.”
Nicole squished her mouth shut and went back to the bathroom to change. When she came out Devin was back in the kitchen hand-washing their glasses. Nicole walked over and gave her friend a hug. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Nicole whispered into Devin’s hair.
“This is what friends are for," Devin said, rubbing Nicole’s back.
“I’ll let you know what happens with Sean.”
“You better,” Devin said, and she walked Nicole to the door.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
SEAN
Sean was back at work for another weekend brunch. Why had he decided to start doing these dumb brunches in the first place. He could be at home right now sleeping. Instead, he was running around the kitchen trying to find the bagel slicer. He hadn’t had any bagels on the buffet before, but Donnie from Books and Bagels had called yesterday and offered him a fantastic deal on an overstock of pumpkin bagels he had made for an event. Now he had four dozen bagels and no bagel slicer to be found. He really should have asked Donnie to slice them. “This is what happens when you don’t get enough sleep,” He mumbled under his breath.
On top of that, he was short-staffed and couldn’t spare anyone to stand and cut the bagels. He pulled out a cutting board and a serrated knife. He hated to do it, but the fastest thing to do was cut all the bagels in half instead of cutting them through. It wasthat or not cut them at all and whole bagels would be more of a hassle for his guests.
By the time he was done, he had a cramp in his hand, but at least he could get them out to the buffet. If he’d been running on all cylinders, he would have made some nice honey butter, or had a bagel slicer and a toaster on the buffet, but he had none of that. He hated feeling unprofessional and disorganized.This is all her fault, he thought and then he chided himself. As much as he’d like to blame Nicole for everything, that was a little too dramatic for him. He was sure if he could just get a good night’s sleep, he wouldn’t be so grumpy anymore.
He carried the chafing dish piled high with pumpkin bagel halves out to the dining room and added them to the far end of the buffet. There were already a few people lined up at the door waiting for Mable to unlock it. He regretted his complaining about the weekend brunch service. It was foolish to be complaining about his business being successful, especially when so many restaurants didn’t make it past their first year. It wasn’t like him to forget to be grateful.
“Now don’t fill up on these bagels, Mrs. Woodsman. I’ve got some eggs so fresh the hens still think they are sitting on them.”
The bespectacled elderly lady asked, “Are these from Donnie’s shop?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
