Page 14 of Smoke and Mirrors

I look down at Ava and smooth back a curl from her face. “It’s going to be a long night, little one.”

Chapter Four

LILY

I stayed with Molly for the night, and Ava slept like a dream. I didn’t blame her after all the drama she’d been through. It was exhausting for me, so I couldn’t imagine what it was like for someone so small, who didn’t understand what was really going on.

“Good girl,” I coo happily the next morning as she guzzles downs her morning bottle like she’s dying of thirst.

Her eyes watch the room, often flicking over to where her aunt sits on the sofa across from us.

Molly is keeping her distance. It’s fun to tease her about this kind of thing and her crazy fear of small people, but I know deep down there has to be a reason that she’s so scared or apprehensive to be around them.

Holly’s never held it against her, never acting like she’s offended by Molly never wanting to cradle or care for her daughter. I figure she’s used to it, or there’s something I don’t know.

I don’t pry, though. Molly knows she can come to me with anything. She’s been my best friend for years. If she wanted me to know, she’d tell me. And either way, no matter what, I will love her.

“Ava’s looking at you like she wants a cuddle,” I tease subtly.

Molly glares at me from across the sofa, but the anger breaks for a second as she looks down at the gorgeous baby girl in my arms. There’s sadness in her eyes, and I shuffle forward, thinking that she actually might take her from me. But in a flash, the moment’s gone when a loud knock sounds at the door.

Molly jumps up without even looking back and speeds over to answer it. “Hey!”

I look up with a smile when I hear Holly’s voice, and Ava immediately detaches from her bottle, her eyes searching for her mom.

“Hi, Lily,” Holly says brightly as she rushes over to catch a glimpse of her daughter while Molly shuts the front door.

“Hey, Holly…” I grin. “… how’s Jared?”

She sits beside me, and I happily hand over her little girl. She takes a moment to speak to Ava asking her if she had fun with her aunt.

Molly snorts as she walks to the kitchen. “You want coffee?”

“Yes, please,” Holly groans like it’s the best idea she’s ever heard before she turns back to me. “He’s doing okay. He had the surgery to remove the damaged part of his liver, the doctors say it will grow back in time. But other than that, he’s very lucky.”

“That’s so good to hear,” I tell her, touching her arm softly.

She nods. “Yeah, he’s recovering in the ward and getting some rest before this one crowds her daddy.”

“Lily, you want coffee?” Molly calls.

I check the time on my phone. “No thanks! I’m working at the rehab unit today. I need to get going so I can meet Cindy there with the dogs.”

Molly walks in with two coffee mugs in her hands, placing one on the table in front of Holly. “I didn’t know you were still doing that,” Molly replies with a raised eyebrow.

I push off the seat, placing a soft kiss on Ava’s head before standing fully. “Yeah, because we only go once a week, and we have more staff now. I’m only there like once every two months.”

I give Molly a quick hug.

“Have fun!” she calls after me as I rush out the door.

Lucky for me, I always keep several changes of clothing at Molly’s place, just like she does at mine. It makes life easier when we do go on nights out, and we aren’t sure whose house we will end up at afterward. I don’t really enjoy the walk of shame home, especially when I didn’t get anything out of it to make it worthwhile. I don’t even remember the last time I had a guy in my apartment, let alone in my bed.

I decide to take a cab this morning. It might be a little more money than the bus, but the rehab center’s about twenty minutes across town, and I’m looking forward to the peace and quiet rather than the loud rumble of the bus with all the people on it.

I pay the cab driver as we pull up to the building, and when I jump out, I immediately see Cindy sitting out front with two big beautiful dogs waiting patiently by her side. One is a cream color, a golden retriever by the name of Peach, and the other is a black Labrador who goes by Beau.

Their ears both perk up as they hear me approach, and their tongues roll out the side of their mouths in what I interpret as smiles.

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