“Um … I don’t know offhand.”
“But there are some?”
“Yes.” She’d been blessed in that regard. It also helped that she was the only licensed daycare center out this direction.
Kylie’s face changed instantly. “So what’s the problem?”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“It is.” Kylie leaned back when the waitress brought their oatmeal and fruit. “If you love them and they love you, it’ll be easier than you think. You just have to give it a chance.”
Bristol stared down at the oatmeal. “I might’ve screwed that up already.”
“Doubtful.”
She looked up at Kylie. “How can you be sure?”
“Because I’ve been around these past couple of years, Bristol. I’ve watched the three of you. I’ve seen the way you look at them when they aren’t looking and vice versa. There’s something worth pursuing there. You just have to want it.”
“I do,” she admitted.
“Then stop makin’ excuses.”
That was one thing she admired about Kylie. She didn’t beat around the bush.
After she finished her breakfast with Kylie, Bristol had a few more things to do before she could go home.
Her first stop was Bianca’s.
As she walked up the twisty path that led to the cute little house her best friend lived in, Bristol remembered when Bianca and Jake had bought the place. For whatever reason, Bristol had always thought Bianca would be the sort to want a monstrous Victorian mansion, something as big and grandiose as her personality, so it had been a complete surprise when Bianca had bought this little two-bedroom bungalow.
But oddly enough, it suited Bianca with its rustic charm and down-home sweetness. Even the white rocking chairs on the front porch.
Taking a deep breath, Bristol knocked on the door, waited. Of course she feared Bianca would ignore her, but she knew she had to do this. After her conversation with Kylie, Bristol had realized that Bianca was right. Bristol had been making herself the center of the universe. Everything she did, everything she said, how she treated the people she loved, it all revolved around how she wanted others to see her. And since that was in direct contradiction to what she really wanted, she understood how she had hurt so many people in her quest to keep a low profile and not rock the boat, so to speak.
She was going to make amends.
Bristol heard the knob rattle, the deadbolt disengage, and then the door was opening.
Bianca looked flawlessly beautiful as usual. Her silky brown hair falling over her shoulders, her teal blue eyes highlighted with minimal makeup. Yep, despite the early hour, Bianca was up and dressed, ready for church.
“Can we talk?” Bristol asked before her friend could turn her away with the excuse she had somewhere else to be.
Bianca’s gaze scanned her face and then she was stepping back, motioning Bristol inside.
When the door closed behind her, Bristol spun around and faced her friend. “I am so, so,sosorry, Bianca.”
No sooner were those few words out of her mouth than Bianca was lunging forward, arms coming around her. Bristol was returning the gesture, hugging her best friend tightly, both of them suddenly spilling over in both words and tears.
“I’m so sorry, Bristol.”
“No, I’m sorry.”
“I shouldn’t have been so mean.”
“I shouldn’t have kept it from you.”
“I’m sorry I was a jealous bitch.”
