Page 30 of No One Like You

“Was not!”

“Shhhhh!”

“Of course I slept late. I had to put up with your snoring half the night.”

“I do not snore!”

“It was like sharing the bed with a bear.”

“You lie!”

“It’s true. Like a huge grizzly bear, snoring next to me. Isn’t that true, Sophia?”

“Yeah! Huge!” Sophia shrieked with laughter.

“Now you’re getting my own daughter involved in your lies.”

“It’s true, Mommy. You do snore. Maybe like a baby bear, though.”

“Really? I snore?”

“Yeah. Sophia’s right. Kinda like a baby bear. Cute, fuzzy little baby bear snores.” Tasha grinned as Megan hid her blushing face in her hands. She reached out for Sophia’s hand. “Let’s go give your mom a hug. See, we’re here to support you. Even though you snore.”

“I’m so embarrassed.”

“It’s okay, Megan. You can’t help that you snore. Just like you can’t help having ice cold feet!”

“What?”

Tasha leapt back, cackling all the way, as she avoided getting swatted by Megan. “Okay, okay! Peace! I was just kidding about the ice cold feet. Mostly…”

“Ugh, and here I was going to fix you a nice, hot breakfast. I’m definitely not doing that for you now.”

“What about me?” Sophia asked.

“Of course, angel. Your breakfast is coming right up. Do you think that I should make something for your mean Aunt Tasha?”

“Yes, Mommy. Aunt Tasha would like that.”

“You’re right, munchkin. Your Aunt Tasha would really like a nice, hot breakfast. And maybe your mom could make me some coffee, too.”

“Now you’re definitely pressing your luck.”

“Fine… You win, grumpy girl. I’ll make us coffee. Let me squeeze past you. Sophia, would you like your Aunt Tasha to make you some hot chocolate?” Tasha completely missed Sophia’s answer as Megan pressed the sole of one foot against Tasha’s calf. “Oh my god, your feet are ice cold!”

CHAPTER 21

YOU BELONG WITH ME

Megan really enjoyed having a relaxing and fun morning with her family. It was very strange to think of it that way. Just two weeks ago, her concept of family was so different. It wasn’t that Tasha had replaced Brad, either. As much as she didn’t like it, he was there and would always be there. Preferably just at a distance. A great distance would be nice. And Tasha… Tasha was an amazing friend and roommate. Their four years as college roommates were some of the best years of her life, and living with Tasha again just felt right. That’s what it is, right? Just great friends and great roommates? Definitely. And yet… Megan struggled to figure out why that seemed wrong when it should be right. That was a conundrum for another day, though. Sophia was the one constant in her definition of family. And now she was about to risk everything.

“Sophia, I need to talk with you. This is important, okay?”

“Okay, Mommy.”

Tasha heard the tone in Megan’s voice, grabbed a book, and headed for the bedroom. “Sophia, I have decided that I am going to divorce your father. He broke a promise to me. A very important promise. And it is something that I can’t forgive. Do you understand?”

“I think so. Does this mean that you won’t live with Daddy anymore?”