Page 63 of Unbreakable Thread

“I’m here to meet Lana.”

She glances down at her iPad, the screen’s glow illuminating the soft angles of her face. “Right over here,” she says, her voice barely audible above the ambient chatter. I follow three steps behind her, watching her navigate between tables with practiced ease. The restaurant unfolds around us like a secret—plush crimson velvet booths curve against exposed stone walls. Flowers hang against the walls like a fairy garden.

I wave at Lana and Toby. Damn, my friend is smoking. Her long blond hair is curled, and her ocean-blue eyes stand out with her matching eyeshadow.

“You made it!” Lana yells over the loud music, jumping out of her seat as if we didn’t see each other last night.

“I did. I wouldn’t miss it.” She hugs me tightly. Last night I couldn’t hold it in. I cried in her arms. I try to be strong, but sometimes we have to let it out.

“This is Toby.” He’s already out of his seat. Lana wasn’t lying. He’s an attractive older man, but honestly, I wouldn’t have noticed he was a couple of years older if Lana hadn’t mentioned it. He’s tall, slightly built, with the same ocean blue eyes as his date. He’s wearing a crisp white shirt, a blazer, and denim jeans. “Toby, this is my best friend R…Rainey.” She tilts her head at me.

I nod. I hate it that everyone tiptoes around me, unsure what to call me.

“Hi, nice to meet you. I’ve heard a great deal about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Toby’s hand is out, and I take it with a smile to finally meet the man Lana has talked about.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Toby. Lana tells me you two have so much in common.” I slip into the velvet booth.

He bites his lip, and his gaze trails down every curve of her beautiful body. “We do. I’m trying to convince her to work with me. Imagine having this beauty by my side every day.” He winks at her.

I’m in awe. I like him. He’s looking at her like how Max once looked at me, but Lana… She doesn’t look at him how I view Max. Like we wanted to tear each other’s clothes off all the time.

“I haven’t decided yet.” Lana’s lips press on the wineglass. “He wants me to work with him. He’s a ring doctor and has his own practice.”

His arms hang over her shoulder, and his thumb circles on her bare shoulder.

“I love working at the hospital,” she admits.

I’m still slightly full from eating a large lunch with Alex, but I order fajitas. The conversation flows, and I can’t help but wonder how life would be if I hadn’t been adopted or lived in a fucked-up foster home, or if the accident hadn’t occurred. Would we have grown up together, or maybe kept in touch? I can imagine Max and me running away together. But I never would have met my sister and brother if I weren’t adopted.

“Try the fried zucchini sticks,” Lana mumbles around a mouthful.

I take a small bite, though I’m not a fan; I do it to avoid being rude. Toby orders a couple of appetizers. “So a ring doctor? Were you at the last fight? My ex fought.” The word ex tastes like acid in my mouth. I know I’m to blame. Damn, does it piss me off. Is she warming his bed? The thought of him touching her makes me sick.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t. I had to fly out to another fight. Who’s your ex?”

I take a long sip of my water. Damn, I’m thirsty. “Max Cano.”

Toby’s eyebrows perk up. “Max Cano? I’ve met him before.” He laughs. “Well, not personally, but from a distance.” He whistles. “He’s good.”

“He is,” I admit. The taste of guacamole triggers my gag reflex. Oh, this baby doesn’t want me to enjoy anything. “I need to run to the restroom,” I tell them and jog toward the bathroom.

“Are you okay?” Lana asks. I hadn’t realized she’d followed.

“I felt queasy. The guacamole on the nachos grossed this kid out.”

She laughs, rubbing my belly. “Are you giving your mama trouble?”

Mama. I’m going to be a mother. I’ve been so busy with work, school, homework, and thinking of every damn thing going on in my life, trying to find balance, that I haven’t really sat and thought about the title. I’m going to be a mom.

“I’m good.” I splash some water on my face. “I like Toby. He’s sweet, and it seems he’s really into you, like, tear your clothes off with his teeth.”

Her cheeks get all rosy. “I like him too…but…”

“Are you still thinking of that one guy? The hospital guy?” She hasn’t spoken about him in a while, but when she did, it was like she was seeing a galaxy when she spoke of him.

“Would it be pathetic if I said I did? There are times I still feel him on me.” Luckily, it’s just us in the restroom. She sighs. “See? Pathetic. I’ve never been this scandalous. If the hospital knew, they would terminate me.”

God, I never even thought of that.