She nods once.
“As in you and he are going to be parents.”
Gracie gives me a blank stare. “You heard me the first time.”
I touch her knee out of instinct to comfort. “How?”
“One of those annoying October storms of rain and sleet, finding shelter, and chewing on candy, you know how it goes. Then boom, a few weeks later you learn a baby is on the way.A complete Chrismukkah miracle, right?” She smiles nervously then swallows and covers her mouth.
I quirk my lips out and tip my head to the side. She isn’t wrong.
“You know what. Let’s leave the baby talk for another time. I need a distraction, so can we talk about something else?”
“Sure. Just know that I’m here for you, and if you’re happy, then so am I,” I assure her.
“Thanks, but you are also happy because of a certain hockey player.”
I try not to blush but fail, because nothing about her sentence is an unfair accusation.
“You were watching the locker room interviews after his game when I arrived.”
I roll a shoulder back. “It was a tough game.” They played hard and went into overtime, but unfortunately, the other team scored first.
“I told you my news, now catch me up. It’s only fair.”
I hesitate for a second, but then I’m giddy. “We’re just neighbors who are friends who slept together and who spent the holidays with his family. No biggie.” I reach for my mug of tea on the coffee table to avoid reading her expression but then decide to be honest. “I’m not sure what is going on between us, but it feels promising.”
She grins and squeals because she is excited for me. “Will you spend New Year’s together?”
Sipping my tea, I shake my head at the same time. “No. They have to travel back, and besides, I feel as though being together when the clock strikes midnight is kind of a big deal.”
“It’s romantic.”
I press my lips together and roll them in as I recall whathas been running through my mind lately. “I kind of always thought that when I would be ready to really date again that I would freak out because I’m a single mom and need to find balance, but with Tyler, we just flow.”
“That’s a great sign.”
“I sent him a text after the game. Just to say I was watching while Enzo is asleep and sick. Then sorry for the overtime loss, but at least they still got a point for the standings, then added a slew of emojis.” And sending it came without thought. No second-guessing myself or wondering if I’m overstepping the lines between us. “I won’t hear back from him, I’m sure. He’s busy.” Hockey is his life.
Gracie nudges my arm with her hand. “You two are good for one another and mellow each other out.”
I snicker and smile. “That wasn’t the case two months ago.”
“Even better. You’ve seen one another during the not-so-stellar personality moments, yet here you both are.”
Huh, I guess that is a good point.
“That theory is not bad,” I admit.
She slowly begins to drag herself off my couch. “Now. On that note, time for me to head home.”
“Thanks for stopping by. Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?”
Her palm flies up. “No way. The thought of food makes me want to hurl, and I want to drive before it gets too dark. Pajamas and sleep are the way I’m going to welcome the new year. I already know what the new year will bring, so I’m all good.” She pats her stomach.
I love her positivity. She’s the breath of fresh air that everyone needs in their life.
I stand to give her a hug and walk with herto my front door. “Be safe, and we’ll meet for coffee later in the week, okay?”
