She reaches out to pat my shoulder. “I heard about yourlittle bundle. My mama ran into Sandy from the Sage and Salt, who said you’re engaged to our hot local fire chief?”
I shake my head as I’m about to protest.
“Ain’t it funny how rumors spread around here?” Cassie interjects, trying to save me from having to explain Asher’s and my situation. “Thanks for offering to help! We’ll let you know if we need anything.”
She smiles warmly at Maria, who looks slightly confused but nods before heading over to help another customer.
I turn to Cassie. “Thanks for that. I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks when it’s time for me to move back into my house.”
“You’re worrying about tomorrow’s problems.” She studies me for a moment. “I mean this with no offense, and in the best possible way, but I think maybe your adoption has put up a big roadblock for you. It’s made youtooafraid of anything unplanned or unforeseen.”
“Maybe,” I agree. I’ve definitely always had this fear of not being there for my child when I became a mother. Now that I’m actually pregnant, that anxiety has grown stronger by the week.
“I think my therapist would say … it’s like if you feel like you can plan everything out, you can control it.” Cassie looks at me over the rack of baby clothes. “But you can’t control everything, Liv.” She offers me a reassuring grin. “Your baby is the perfect example of that. Thomas Rhett said it best: You can make all your plans but life just changes. They’re words to live by.”
I laugh. Deep down, I know she’s right.
“My advice? Just go with it. We could all be dead tomorrow.”
“What a beautiful sentiment,” I say sarcastically.
“I mean, the whole town thinks you’re together anyway.” She stops to spin on her heel. “Look at it like baking!”
I crumple my face up at her. “Mmmmkay …?”
“You have the flour. That’s Asher. You have the … sugar. That’s you. And the baby, naturally the egg. All this other stuff …” She leans in close. “The yearning, the chemistry; it’s like the baking soda and the vanilla, the butter. Alone, they don’t do anything. But together … pure magic.”
“I have no idea if that made any sense.” I let out a snort. “But I’ll take it.”
“So … are you gonna tell him you’re catchingrealfeelings for him? Not just the orgasmic kind?”
“We’ll see. He has to come home first.”Home.Just the thought gives me butterflies.
“Haden said they’ve got the fires over fifty percent controlled. He could be back any day now.”
We continue to shop, and I also start putting together a list of the baby items I still need to buy for my own little one. Twenty minutes later, when we’re in line to pay, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
CECE
A little birdie told us you might need some girl talk.
CECE
Come for dinner tonight?
GINGER
I second. I need my girls tonight.
CECE
Your house, Liv? Yes, I’m inviting us over but we’ll bring pizza. *Smile emoji*
GINGER
Maybe if we get it extra spicy it will evict this little princess from you.
CECE
