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Odette ignores him and turns to me. “I love your brother dearly, but he’s suffocating me.”
Madden shakes his head from side to side in sarcastic dismay, then takes a seat on the other side of Odette.
Samantha looks at Odette’s belly with wide-eyed curiosity.
“There’s a baby in there?” she asks in awe.
“Yes, sweetie. In a few more months, you’ll have another cousin,” Odette tells her with a grin.
Samantha places a kiss on Odette's belly, then scurries off to find Oliver.
Odette looks down at the small drool spot left on her apron and bursts into tears. “That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen,” she cries.
I look at my brother and wrinkle my nose, as if silently saying, “I feel for you, bro.”
One side of his mouth pulls up in a smirk before he wraps an arm around his wife and kisses her temple. Madden and Odette have the sweetest relationship, even though their marriage started off as a farce.
Watching them gives me a wistful feeling… maybe I can find love again someday.
“How are things going, Soph?” Madden asks in his deep voice.
Settling back into the couch, I think for a moment before responding, “Really good, actually. I love having my own space again. Mom and Dad take Samantha once a week so I can have a break, and I found a support group for widows. I'm going tomorrow for the first time.”
Madden stops filling his small plate with charcuterie and meets my gaze. “That’s great. Although we all know the real reason you moved out is so you can bring guys home.”
“Oh brother, ignore him.” Odette says before shooting a glare at my brother. “How’s babysitting for Drew?” Her question seems innocent, but there’s a twinkle in her eyes telling me it’s not.
Ignoring her suggestive expression, I answer, “He’s super chill and Penny is awesome. I was worried Drew would be similar to Dad—you know, super uptight. But he’s been great, and he’s a really involved father.”
“Drew’s an awesome guy. I’m happy it’s been a good fit … despite David’s concerns.” Madden smirks and takes a bite of a cracker covered with brie and fig jam.
I roll my eyes dramatically. “Oh my gosh, David is ridiculous. I’m surprised he hasn’t randomly stopped by yet to check up on me.”
Madden swallows his bite with a chuckle. “Oh, he will.”
“We really need to find a girlfriend for him so he’ll chill out.”
Odette rubs her hands together like she’s plotting something. “Oh yes, let's! He needs someone that will make him a little … messier. Not so formal and put-together.”
Madden contemplates for a moment. “Hmm … what’s the complete opposite of a certified public accountant?”
“Someone committing tax fraud?” I answer, and we all bust up laughing at the idea.
“Okay, maybe not that opposite,” Madden adds once he’s stopped cackling.
Madden finishes his charcuterie plate, then turns to me. “Oh hey, I was wondering if you could keep an eye on Odette for me. I have to go back to D.C. next week and she’s not allowed to travel anymore with all the contractions she’s been having.”
“Yeah, of course,” I say without hesitation. “Drop her off whenever, and I’ll watch her.”
Odette protests, “I’m sitting right here!”
Madden and I smirk at each other. She’s too fun to mess with sometimes.
The next morning, I drop Samantha off at my parent’s house. Mom and Dad are delighted to spend the day with her. Mom has literally texted me about it every day this week. My parents weren’t the most affectionate and present parents when my brothers and I were kids; it’s like they’re making up for it now with their grandchildren. I think they see it as a second chance for their marriage and their relationships with their kids and grandkids. If only they would’ve figured things out thirty years sooner.
After dropping her off, I drive over to the coffee shop where the Wonderful Widows support group meets. The name of the group is strange, but hopefully that’s a sign of a good sense of humor, and not that they’re insane.
The group reserves a private room twice a month for their meetings. I’m relieved it’s small and private, but I have no clue what else to expect.
