Page 14 of One More Time

“I’m right here!” Haven’s voice carried up the walkway behind Tessa. I chuckled, widening the door as she approached.

“Come on in. Do we know if Rosie can make it?”

Tessa was already crossing the living room and heading for the island in the kitchen that divided the two spaces. “She’s finishing up at the hospital, and then she’s coming over. She wants pizza,” Tessa said over her shoulder.

“I already ordered it on the way over,” Haven chimed in.

I closed the door behind Haven. “Perfect.”

Haven lifted her large purse over her shoulder and fished out two bottles of mead from my family’s brewery. “Samples, so they were free.” She waggled her brows.

“You don’t have to pay.” I rolled my eyes.

“That just feels weird to me.” She dropped her purse on the floor by the island and slipped onto a stool, sliding both bottles onto the counter and tapping them lightly with her fingertips.

“If you ever have a baby, it’s so great when you’re done nursing, and you can just have something to drink and not stress about it,” she added.

“You mean you don’t want to do the whole pumping and flushing of your breast milk? It’s so much fun,” Tessa said dryly.

Haven shook her head slowly. “That seemed like too much trouble. Honestly, I had so much trouble with nursing that I didn’t nurse for long. I’m aware of those people who insist that nursing until your baby is walking and talking is important, but it wasn’t for me. Jake had trouble latching on, and it was a constant struggle. He did so much better with a bottle. I pumped for six months. My doctor told me to stop feeling guilty because I had trouble producing enough milk, but I still feel guilty about it.”

I glanced at my friends as I sat down across from Haven. “There is so much guilt that comes with being a mother. I don’t want to have kids.”

“The guilt is real,” Haven said. “Like tonight, Rhys is home with little Jake, and I feel like I’m supposed to be there.”

I eyed her. “Don’t. You’re home most nights. Rhys is my brother, and I love him very much, but even the guys who try don’t carry as much as the moms.”

“Definitely not,” Tessa said. “I’m kicking ass at the single mom thing, though.”

“You know, you don’t talk much about him, but what is the scoop on your ex? All I know is the divorce was ugly,” Haven commented. “I was living out of town when you two were together.”

Tessa turned from the kitchen cabinets where she was fetching some glasses and set them on the counter. “I married an asshole. He’s still doing his damnedest to make my life a living hell. Rich does not give two shits about our son, but he sure cares about making my life difficult with custody demands in court.”

“But what happened?” Haven pressed.

Tessa sat down, and we all poured our drinks. I chose the blackberry honey mead.

“Rich was very charming. Until he wasn’t. If I were to tell you some of the things he said to me, I don’t know if you’d believe me. It’s too embarrassing to even talk about. My therapist says he’s emotionally abusive and used emotional manipulation to control me. I’m so ashamed of it. Even with that, I have Eric and wouldn’t trade him for the world. I’d go through all that hell again if I had to.” Tessa’s eyes were bright with tears, but she lifted her chin high. “I’m grateful I finally found the strength to leave.”

Haven and I were quiet before Haven offered, “I’m so sorry.”

I leaned close to Tessa and curled my arm around her shoulders to give her a fierce squeeze.

When I leaned back, she glanced back and forth between us. “Thank you. I’m lucky to have friends like you all. And even though I’m stuck dealing with Rich because of our son, I can deal with it now. I’m okay.” She took a swallow of her drink. “Now, let’s talk about you.” Tessa’s gaze swung to me.

“What about me?” I hedged.

“Well, I hear Jack Hamilton will be moving in three houses down.” Haven’s eyes twinkled as she smiled at me. “And he sure is easy on the eyes.”

“Sure is,” Tessa teased. “Plus, he’s got the whole firefighter thing going on. He’s not just easy on the eyes, he saves people and forests.”

I couldn’t help but giggle. “Good point.”

“Well?” Haven pressed, circling her hand in the air.

I willed my cheeks not to heat. “Well, what?”

“I know you think he’s cute. And we all noticed how he looked at you at the wedding,” she pointed out.

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