“I could be better.”
“Well, we all could.” I smile at her.
Blake shakes her head with a laugh that makes me feel like I just told a joke. “Are you kidding? You’re like mom extraordinaire. You all are. I feel like I’m the only one chasing my tail and finding this so hard.”
“You’re seriously not.” Nylah bulges her eyes at me. “The number of resignation texts I’ve sent Carson…”
“Resignation texts?” Blake’s forehead wrinkles.
“Yeah, you know,” Sienna replies. “‘Dear husband, I would like to formally tender my resignation from motherhood. This will be my final day. Thank you for the opportunity, but I feel that my skills would be best served in a job that doesn’t make me want to tear my hair out.’”
Nylah giggles while Blake blinks, then starts laughing as well.
I join in because although I may never have sent a text like that to Wily, I have had days where I seriously felt it. Sebastian has driven me around the bend. His energy is off the charts, and if he doesn’t get a chance to release it, he explodes in the worst ways. My little kamikaze kid is gonna be the death of me.
“We all have days that make us feel like the worst mothers in the world, and although we want to quit, we never actually do.” Nylah shrugs. “Our hearts just won’t let us.”
“Love.” Sienna drawls the word, rolling her eyes. “It’s the worst.”
We all crack up at her joke, and I think about the sweet card Wily gave me for Valentine’s Day. He wrote me a poem. Well, ChatGPT probably wrote me a poem, but he went to the effort of setting it up. Jane must have made the card. And that special edition book I’ve been wanting… I love how he knows me sowell. My new gift is going to look so pretty on my ever-growing bookshelf! Plus he’s told me there’s more to come next weekend. I’m feeling so spoiled. I really am the luckiest lady alive.
“Hey, what did you two get for Valentine’s Day?” I ask as I turn to check on the heart-shaped pizzas we made. They’re nearly done.
“Well… I thought Zander had totally forgotten, but he surprised me with a card, chocolates, and this sweet necklace.”
I turn to look at it. “Oh wow, that’s gorgeous. Just the kind of thing Wily would pick out.” I give her a knowing smirk and she snorts, shaking her head. The only reason I know is because Charlotte let slip that Daddy bought me a heart. When I wasn’t given it earlier today, I figured my baby girl must have gotten it wrong or it was coming next weekend, but no. There it is.
I won’t say anything else, but how cute that the guys bailed Zander out. I bet the chocolates were from Grady or Carson.
“That’s sweet,” Blake murmurs, her cheeks tinging pink as she looks around us. “I got some very sexy lingerie.”
“What?” Sienna’s face lights with excitement. “Are you wearing it now?”
“Of course I am.”
“Lemme see.” Sienna steps toward her, peeking down Blake’s top when she pulls the shirt away from her body.
Nylah shuffles over for a look as well, letting out a wolf whistle. “Damn, girl.”
“Gorgeous, right?” Blake looks all proud.
“Where the hell are your stretch marks?” Sienna grumbles, lifting Blake’s shirt to check her stomach. “Okay, I officially hate you now. How does your body look like you haven’t even had kids?”
Blake giggles, tugging her shirt back down. With a helpless shrug, she looks around us. “I moisturized and oiled myself up, just like you all did. I guess my skin just didn’t mindbeing stretched a little. And what are you complaining about, Supergirl? Your body’s so freaking strong and toned right now. You could be on the cover ofSports Illustrated.”
Her diversion doesn’t work, and Nylah and Sienna continue to frown at her until she whines, “You guys, stop! It’s not my fault!”
We all crack up laughing.
“You’re so gorgeous.” Nylah shakes her head.
“And so are you!” Blake complains, then points to Sienna. “And you! And you!” She points to me, and I can feel myself blushing and have to resist the urge to shake my head.
There’s no way I’m as pretty as these girls, yet they always make me feel so included. I never know what to do with it. I don’t hate my body as much as I used to, but I still struggle not to feel like I’m the odd one out when I’m surrounded by all these slender beauties.
“We’reallstunning hotties,” Blake continues. “And I know this because we’ve all managed to retain some very sexy men.”
“Accurate.”
