“The one mother dearest warned about.” T.K. snorted and Jill cackled along.
“Wow, thanks guys.” Abby glared. Juniper whirled between their legs and yanked at Abby’s hand. She let her swing and play, a miniature Jill with her red curls. “What do you think, Junie?”
Juniper giggled. “I think you’re funny.”
“Well, at least someone has something nice to say.”
Jill cleared her throat. “So, Vegas.”
“What about it?” Abby twirled Juniper around to avoid their eyes.
“Did you and Hutch fuck?” T.K. asked.
“Jesus!”
“Earmuffs, Junie,” Jill said, before smacking T.K.
Abby clapped her hands over Juniper’s ears. “The kid is right here.”
“She doesn’t know what fucking is,” T.K. said before dropping her mouth at Jill. “Does she?”
“No, but we just got her to stop talking about the Kinsey scale at preschool. Thanks for that, Cruz.” Jill rolled her eyes.
Abby shrugged. “I think it’s good she knows that sexuality is fluid.”
“Okay, while earmuffs are in place, what the hell happened between you and Hutch?” T.K. asked.
“What are we talking about?” Kate slinked in beside them.
“Nothing,” Jill said.
“Really? Because my ears are burning.”
Abby blushed and looked away. Despite their night together, shedidn’t know how to pursue Kate. Not anymore. She’d made it clear where they stood and moved on. It was Abby who couldn’t.
“I think Junie’s ears are burning too.” Abby chuckled and removed her hands from the flower girl’s head. “What do you say we get some cake?”
“Yes!” Juniper threw her arms in the air.
“She’s already had two pieces,” Jill said. “I don’t want her going crazy on sugar.”
“Oh, lighten up, Shupe, it’s a wedding.” Abby winked and tossed Juniper over her shoulder.
“Who’s Shupe?” Juniper giggled as Abby carried her off.
“It’s what we called your mom when we played softball.”
She shared a piece of cake with Juniper near the dessert table, lifting her to stand on a chair so that they could eat from the same plate. Mick and Haley made the rounds among their family and friends, grinning, laughing, stopping for photos. Abby had teared up at the ceremony. At the idea of having someone so completely. At believing in forever.
“Can we have more?” Juniper asked, licking frosting off her fingers.
“No, your mom will freak out,” Abby said.
She spotted Dani waving her over to their table. Abby waved back, sighed, didn’t want to return. Didn’t want to be anywhere.
“Here.” Juniper ungracefully shoved a forkful of white cake at her mouth.
Abby accepted it. “Thanks.”
