Piper rubs at her forehead as though frustrated, but it’s obviously in jest.
“And?” I prompt again because I know Lucy’s waiting for it. I don’t mind indulging her—I’m just happy to be hearingabout someone else’s relationship drama. Not that I have relationship drama, mind you. I don’t because there’s no relationship with Riley.
Definitely no relationship.
None.
I raise my glass to my lips as she finally continues her story.
“Well. We went for this walk that was kind of romantic and did the hand-holding thing,” she looks off into the distance, her eyes losing focus, and I imagine she’s recalling the sweet moment.
“Aww,” Piper cheers, doing a cute little chair dance. Her excitement for her friend is genuine and palpable, and I love it. I love both of these women and how we support each other. I’m forever grateful they accepted me into their girl gang—Lucy’s words. Before Piper came to town and we started working together, I’d been very isolated. Even after, I’d resisted their attempts to get to know me at first, so used to going it alone at that point I hadn’t known what to make of their continued overtures of friendship. Luckily, they’re nothing if not persistent. I know they both wish I’d open up more, but … I’m working on it. Thankfully, they never hold it against me, and, like today, they usually back off when I need them to.
“Yeah.” Lucy’s smile is a full-on grin now. “Then we pretended to be married and toured a house in this neighborhood that I love. It was a whole thing.”
Piper’s eyebrows shoot up, and I’m certain my face mirrors hers, but Lucy only waves her hand dismissively. I make themistake of raising my glass to my lips, knowing from experience that a fortifying sip will be helpful as she continues her tale.
“Anyway, at the end, we kissed. And guys, it wassogood. Like really, really good. I could have stayed in that house sucking his face forever.”
I promptly choke on my wine at her words.
“Do you have to say things like that?” Piper whines, her face suggesting she’s equal parts appalled and amused. “I don’t love the imagery there.”
“Agreed. So romantic,” I quip with a laugh.
Lucy rolls her eyes and continues, “Whatevs. We made out in the owner’s bathroom—is that better for you? Anyway, we were interrupted by the realtor, so that was disappointing, but ever since then, Noah’s been behaving like we’re a couple.” She shrugs. “And I’ve just been going along with it.”
“And you don’t want to? Be a couple, I mean.”
“No, I do! I really like it. I really likehim,” she says, and I’m amazed to see a blush spread across her cheeks. Lucy’s always been fine to share the dirty details of her hook-ups, but she doesn’t like talking about feelings. I can relate, to a certain degree. I don’t often feel comfortable talking about either. Not that I ever have dirty details to share anyway.
“But is it the right thing for the baby? You know I don’t do relationships. Or, I haven’t before. What if I screw this up, guys?” She blows out a frustrated breath. “We need to stay on good terms so we can do this co-parenting thing together.”
“I get it,” I say. And I do. Parenting is hard enough when you’re getting along with your partner. Not that I think Noah is the type of guy who would ever walk out on his child the way Sam did, but things were contentious between the two of us for quite a while before he left. It wasn’t fun, and I know it had a negative effect on the boys.
“Just take things slow,” Piper suggests. “And, I know this might seem like a novel idea, but …talkto him, Luce. Share your feelings, let him know you’re confused. Let him know you’re scared. Chances are, he is too.”
I nod, though I know it’s easier said than done.
“Yeah,” Lucy says vaguely. “Okay.” She crosses her arms and casts her eyes around the bar. I can tell she’s looking for a change of subject now, too. The server returns with her refill, and she snaps it up, sipping eagerly.
In an effort to avoid the conversation circling back to me, I turn to Piper. “How about you, P? Still living in newlywed paradise?
Piper grins and bites her lip. “Blissfully.”
Lucy chuckles and rubs her belly affectionately. “Any chance this little bean might have a new buddy soon?”
“Sorry to disappoint, but no. We’re enjoying it being the two of us right now.”
“That’s fair. Trust me, you could do without the bladder leakage and the cankles.”
“You donothave cankles,” Piper argues with a laugh.
At around nineteen weeks, Lucy’s little bump has only just started showing, and she’s one of those lucky women who seems to hold all her weight in her belly so you can’t even tell she’s pregnant from behind. At nineteen weeks pregnant with Matty, I was already sporting a rounder face, wider hips, and chunkier thighs. With Alex, it was even worse.
She shrugs. “Well, Idohave the bladder leakage and a newfound hatred for wearing panties, so you can imagine how inconvenientthatis.”
“Yikes.” I’m not sure I’ll ever completely get used to Lucy’s brand of over-sharing, even if I do find it somehow endearing.
