Juliet
I peeked through the restaurant window, my hands cupping my face as I tried to make out the familiar faces of my friends. The place was packed for a Sunday evening, servers bustling around tables with trays of food and drinks. I could hear the chatter of patrons, full and boisterous, even through a pane of glass. I pulled away from the window, not spotting anyone, and checked the time on my phone. It was just before 6 p.m.
I found a nearby bench and plopped down into it, a view of the sunset visible through the city’s buildings that towered over me. The sound of traffic and conversations of people passing by filled my ears, as I watched the sky turn from orange to red to purple in a matter of minutes. I loved this city. Always had. Always would.
I never thought I would be raising my baby here, thinking I would move to some suburb before starting a family, but I was growing used to the idea of staying in the city. I had seen mothers pushing their strollers across crosswalks, looking chic or carrying their babies through central park in workout gear. That could be me too. I rested my hand on my stomach and smiled, leaning my head back against the bench. Yesterday, when I verbalized to my friends that I was keeping the baby, it made it all the more real. I was doing this.
“Hey, pretty lady,” called Sarah, ambling toward me with a grin on her face, her hair a lighter shade of purple since I saw her last. She wore a pair of black skinny jeans and a black long sleeve top that hugged her small frame.
“Sarah!” I said, standing up and pulling her in for a hug.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever,” she said, giving me a frown as she pulled away and looked me over, holding me at an arm’s length.
“I know. I’m sorry,” I said.
“Chester still keeping you busy?” she asked, raising a brow.
“Something like that.”
“I brought it up to Mike today. The idea of you coming back to accounting.”
“And?” I asked, my voice raising a hopeful octave.
“He is open to the idea. He said you’re a good accountant.”
“I was only there for a day.” I laughed softly.
Sarah laughed and looped her arm through mine.
“You must have had an impressive first day then. He does have to check with the big guy first though. All moves go through him.”
I groaned, rolling my eyes.
“You don’t think he will let you transfer back?”
“It’s complicated,” I muttered.
She studied my face curiously, but before she could ask what I intended to tell her over dinner, Gabriella and Sadie clambered out of a nearby cab and walked toward us. They both looked chic, Gabriella in a long, form-fitting maxi-dress and Sadie in a pair of wide-leg trousers and a simple white tank top.
“Hey, girls,” I said, feeling so happy to see them.
Even though I had seen them just the night before, and Gabriella earlier that morning, I had to catch them up on my run-in with Mia. I had even more to catch Sarah up on.
“This is my friend Sarah,” I said, nudging her with my shoulder. “This is Gabriella and Sadie.”
“I remember you from the club,” said Sarah to Sadie.
“That was a great show,” said Sadie enthusiastically.
“Right?” agreed Sarah, before turning to Gabriella. “It’s nice to meet you, Gabriella.”
“Please, call me Gabs.” She waved her off.
“Shall we?” I asked, looking at the three of them, my stomach growling. I was starving and this Italian restaurant was the newest spot in town. A neighborhood restaurant with a menu that boasted classic Italian dishes. Baby was demanding carbs tonight.
“Yes!” they said in unison.
We walked up the small steps up toward the door of the restaurant, pushing the door open, and were met with the smells of garlic and freshly made pasta dough and crushed, seasoned tomatoes.
