I shake my head. “Yes, I’m freaked out. The what-ifs are on a constant loop in my head. But there is literally nothing we can do right now. If I let myself really think about it…” I exhale shakily. “I’m going to spiral into a pit of regret and self-loathing for not saying something sooner.”
Addie studies me carefully, then nods.
“Okay.” She doesn’t like it, but luckily, she lets it go. “So, why am I in here with you?”
I almost tell her about the letters. But that feels like a wine-and-couch conversation, not a bathroom-at-the-pub conversation.
“Do you remember when I told you I wanted to donate the money from the horse head to Building Unity?”
She nods immediately. “Yup.”
“Well…I’ve decided that going forward, whatever I make from Cherry, I want to split into thirds and donate it to three charities.”
Her eyes go wide. “All the money?”
“Yes. Obviously, we’ll pull your salary, rent, and expenses first. But everything else? I don’t need it. I already have a high-paying job…and my partner is a billionaire.” I shrug lightly. “I want every extra cent to go somewhere meaningful.”
“Wow.” She smiles. “I knew I loved you for a reason.”
She pushes open the stall door. “Okay, what charities? And why are we discussing this in a bathroom? Actually hold that thought, I need to pee.”
I bite back a grin. “I’m getting there.”
She disappears into the stall.
“I want it equally split between Building Unity, the Ovarian Cancer Research Project, and…Healing Horizons.”
“What’s Healing Horizons?”
My smile is wide as I tell her, “Healing Horizons is where we are, hopefully adopting our baby from.”
There’s a loud commotion in the stall as I hear her rushing to get her pants on, then she bursts through the door.
“What did you say?” she blurts out.
I hunch my shoulders, excitement bubbling out of me.
“Nate and I decided we’re going to adopt our first child.”
She stands there stunned, not a gesture I’m used to with her. Then she walks over and throws her arms around me, and whispers. “You’re an amazing person.”
And I don’t know why, but out of everything that cracks my chest open with pride. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
She pulls back, holding my shoulders while looking down. “No, it’s not. I regularly tell you how amazing your perky tits are.”
I burst out laughing and hit her shoulder playfully. “God, I love you. So you can handle the donations bit?” I ask. “Oh, and I want to donate it anonymously.”
“We can put it under Cherry. You’re already anonymous.”
“No. I want it all to be donated in honor of Mr. Parth Patel.”
“Who the heck is that?”
“Someone who made an impact on Nate’s life,” I say softly. “It’s not my story to tell.”
“Okay.” She doesn’t question it.
She washes her hands while I use the toilet.
