These past few days,I’d gotten a glimpse of what my life would be like once Laurel went off to college. And I could say with complete certainty that I absolutely hated it.
Not only did I love my kid, but I actuallylikedher. I genuinely enjoyed spending time with her and wanted to soak up as much of that as I had left. But I also wasn’t going to force her to move into a dilapidated space without actual floors just because I was too stubborn to stay in the home of the man who’d broken my heart.
The clinic closed late tonight, and Laurel had plans, which meant I was once again alone for the evening. I figured it was the perfect excuse to eat cereal for dinner and attempt to read my current book. In actuality, I’d probably end up doomscrolling on my phone instead until I fell asleep and dropped it on my face.
I couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything—least of all reading—which was really unfortunate, considering I could use an escape now more than ever.
“The last patient is gone, and Alicia headed out, so it’s just you and me.” Quinn strolled into the back room and grabbed her coat. She shrugged into it as she ran an assessing gaze over me. “You said Laurel’s studying with Cami tonight, right?”
“Yeah, she’s got a big test tomorrow and has been freaking out about it all week.”
“Perfect.”
“Exactly what I was thinking about my cereal-for-dinner plan, followed by doomscrolling.”
“Nope, not happening,” Quinn said, tucking her arm through mine as she led us toward the front. “A few of us are getting together tonight, and you’re coming.”
I was shaking my head before she’d even finished speaking. “Oh no, I don’t want to intrude on your plans.”
And I wasn’t sure I was fit for company anyway.
“Myplansincluded you, but you kept dodging me—again.” She shot me a look out of the corner of her eye, and I could only duck my head because…yeah, I had definitely been doing that. “Plus, Luna’s bringing a friend who’s new to town, so you guys will have that in common. They’re meeting me at?—”
“If you say One Night Stan’s, I’m definitely out,” I said, unable to stop myself.
I just couldn’t go there. Not yet. I didn’t know how I was going to navigate that while living in Starlight Cove, considering the best place to grab burgers, drinks, and generally hang out with friends was owned by my ex-not-even-real boyfriend.
I’d worked hard the past few days to avoid running into Atlas, but that wouldn’t last forever. Not when I lived in his backyard and worked in the same building once a week.
All I knew was, I wasn’t ready to tackle that today. It was a problem for future me to figure out.
Quinn’s brows lifted. “I was going to say they’re meeting me at my place, but your reaction only proves just how much you need this. Come on. Addison’s bringing enough tacos to fill a truck, and you obviously could use a night with some friends.”
I could, actually. Desperately needed one, even if it had always been in my nature to retreat when I had shit to dealwith. I always managed to work things out on my own eventually because I’d always been forced to. But I couldn’t deny how nice it would be to be surrounded by girlfriends. And hadn’t that been one of the reasons I’d decided to stay?
“All right. I’m in.”
Ten minutes later, Quinn and I strode into her newly renovated house. Though she and Ford had moved in recently, no one could have guessed that with how cozy and warm their home was. The two-story Cape Cod had been a fixer-upper when they’d purchased it, but Ford was handy with a hammer and saw. His work was evident throughout, from the floor-to-ceiling, built-in bookcases and stone fireplace in the family room area to the custom-built island on the kitchen side of the great room.
“Finally,” Addison groaned as she poked her head around the open refrigerator door. “I’m starving. I hope you’re hungry, Sutton.”
“Sutton! So glad you’re here,” Luna called from the other side of the kitchen as she dumped a blender full of what looked to be margaritas into a pitcher. Then, to Addison, she said, “Don’t think I didn’t see you inhale one of those tacos already.”
“Lay off me!” Addison gestured to her stomach. “I’m eating for two here.”
“Please, come in,” Quinn said dryly. “Make yourselves at home.”
“Chloe and I were going to wait outside.” Luna tipped her chin toward a blonde I’d never seen before. “But Addison forced us to come in.”
Chloe shot a bright smile from her perch on the couch and waved. “I just go where they tell me to.”
“Well, I wasn’t going to hang out in here all by myself,” Addison said with a roll of her eyes.
“That’s funny.” Quinn shrugged out of her coat before taking mine and hanging them up. “I don’t remember giving you a key.”
“I had to pee like a racehorse, so your husband let me in.” Addison shut the fridge, arms overflowing with food. She made her way to the family room and unloaded what looked like the entirety of the Mexican restaurant in town onto the coffee table. “After I made Ford grab the chips off the top shelf for me, I shoved him out the door because his services were no longer needed. He said he was working on a project anyway, so he’d be back later. Before he left, my absolute shit of a brother tried to give me a play-by-play of what he was going to do to you tonight. I shut him up when I threatened to throw an avocado at his head.”
“I can verify that.” Luna nodded, carrying the pitcher and several glasses into the family room. “She kept her brothers in line before, but now, with the pregnancy? They’reallscared of her. Even Brady, though he’ll deny it to his dying breath.”
