PIPER
“So let me get this straight.”Avah points a corner of her turkey club in my direction. “One of your high school besties invited your douche canoe ex-fiancé and his new wife to her wedding because the bitches do yoga together?”
The afternoon sun beats down on us despite the shade from a nearby Douglas fir, and I’m grateful we picked this spot in Town Hall Park. A light breeze carries the scent of pine and wildflowers, offering some relief from the late summer heat. Ellie toddles between us and the tree, her little fists full of treasures.
I glance over my shoulder to where she’s happily collecting pinecones from beneath the branches, then back to Avah.
“Can we keep the language G-rated?”
“Can you answer the question?” she fires back.
“Yeah. I texted Christy, and she said she meant to let me know, but there’s been so much going on with the wedding planning. She said Marie isreally nice.” The words taste bitter in my mouth, even though I’m trying not to care.
“You have…” Avah flicks her eyes toward Ellie. “…poopy friends.”
“It’s not a big deal,” I say and pick up a chip, only to put itdown again. My heart is still doing that annoying pinch thing whenever I think about Bradley and his really nice new wife at Christy’s wedding.
“It’s kind of a big deal.” Sloane places a hand on my arm, the gentle pressure grounding me.
Avah and I had lunch plans today, and I was glad when Sloane said she could join too, and even more grateful that the two of them were up for a picnic in the park across from Town Hall. The grass is soft beneath our blanket, and Colorado’s endless blue sky stretches above us. It’s the kind of summer day that makes you forget that in a few months the whole landscape will be covered in a layer of snow.
Tucked under the shade of a tree, we’re also away from the potentially curious stares of Skylark locals that we’d get at the diner in town. One of the perks of living in a small town is that people look out for each other. The downside to that is people being all up in your business. It’s not like I’m trying to hide Ellie. I smile as I watch her squat to examine a particularly large pinecone.
Now that Ian knows about her, Felix has gotten a lot more comfortable taking her out in public. And as if he wasn’t popular enough, his vague explanation that he’s helping out a friend has melted hearts all over town. It actually seems to have made him even more of a fan favorite, at least with the residents of Skylark.
On the other hand, I get a not-at-all-melty reaction when I explain that I’m working as his temporary nanny while he helps out said friend. I’ve gotten a few veiledoh, so you’re the nannycomments, along with some straight-up attitude.Trying to follow in your sister’s footsteps, huh?Worked out pretty well for her. Sometimes it’s a fight not to roll my eyes sometimes.
I hate the innuendos and judgment. For one, they aren’t true. But also because it’s only going to get worse once my pregnancy is public knowledge. My hand drifts to my stomach, which is starting to show just enough that I’ve switched to loose-fitting tops.
“I swearI don’t care.”
“What’s up with your pruny face then?” Sloane asks.
“This is just my face,” I say with an eye roll. “Ellie, do you want another bite of sandwich?”
The girl toddles over to me with a pinecone in each fist. “Pi cone.” She holds out her hand like she’s gifting me with a gold crown.
“Oh, this is a perfect pinecone,” I tell her sincerely. “I’ll treasure it always.”
“Always,” she mimics, and that one word does something funny to my chest. It makes my breath catch, and my heart squeeze with an emotion I’m not ready to name.
“Pruny,” Sloane repeats, her voice knowing.
“You better work on fixing your face, Pip,” Avah adds with a laugh. “The Hart sisters are for sure not poker players.”
I take a breath. “I didn’t get pregnant purposely to trap Felix.” The words come out softer than I intend.
“Sweetie, no one thinks you did,” Avah assures me quickly.
I shake my head. “Because hardly anyone knows. But once they do…”
“None of us think you did,” Sloane says. “And who gives a rat’s ass what other people think?”
Avah nods, a strand of shiny blonde hair falling across her cheek. “Your friends are the only ones who matter.”
“My high school friends will for sure think it was on purpose.” My tone edges toward bitter. “When Christy found outI’m nannying for Felix, she just about demanded I bring him as my date to the wedding so she can post it on social media.”
“Hey, it worked for Sadie,” Avah says, and Sloane nudges her. “What? I’m not saying it’s the same thing, but bringing him to your wedding as her fake boyfriend is how it all started. Why not take advantage of?—”
