Page 49 of Soaring and Saucy

“Whoa,” Stephanie interrupted, reeling in shock at the frustration and anger in her friend. Lila was always smiling, always reaching out to see how she was doing, making sure she was included. Lila had been her first friend when she got the job at the bank after her father took off, but the woman had her secrets and refused to talk about her past. Obviously, she was hurt from a previous relationship that resulted in divorce, but was something else going on?

“Lila, hang on a minute because while Lance mentioned it, he isn’t pushing me into anything. In fact, I haven't even told him that I was actually going to move. We’re discussing things together and planning for our future, our baby’s future,” Stephanie stressed, touching the other woman’s hand and seeing the tears in her eyes. “I love you both so much, and you’ve always been there for me, but how can I tell the father of my child that he’s not welcome to be a part of the baby’s life… when I want him to be there?”

“We can help you,” Natalie volunteered quickly – only to see Lila shake her head mutinously, still crying.

“I can’t,” Lila whispered, obviously shocking both of them. “It’s too much, too hard on me, and…” her voice faded as the waiter came up to take their order. As each of them ordered, she could see that something was still wrong. Stephanie reached over to touch her friend’s hand as Lila nodded, her eyes glassy.

“I’m okay.”

“Are you sure? Do you want to talk about it?”

“I probably should talk to somebody, but I’m not ready yet.”

“When you are, say the word, and I’m here for you.”

“Thank you,” Lila whispered, looking at the two of them. “I don’t mean to be negative or nasty about things. I’m glad you are happy and going after your dreams, but I’m going to miss you if you move away.”

“You could always come visit,” Stephanie said nervously

“It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind,” Lila retorted in a hurt voice, looking at her.

“I think she has,” Natalie agreed, smiling and nodding at her. “You seem happier than ever, and at peace, you know? Pregnancy agrees with you – even if it wasn’t intended. Can’t exactly call it an ‘accident’ when we all know how babies get made.”

“You know, I felt the baby move yesterday evening for the first time, and it felt real,” Stephanie whispered thickly. “A part of me kept thinking that this was some sick joke, a bad dream, or that I was misinterpreting everything that had happened. I’ve been on a few dates where I completely misunderstood the ‘vibe’ between us – and I guess I assumed that was the case once again,” her voice trailed off as she looked at them with amazement and joy. “I don’t think that is the case with Lance anymore. He’s so funny, so focused on us making this work, that he’s being so sweet in the littlest ways that mean so much to me.”

“Honey,” Natalie smiled softly. “That’s what love is supposed to be like.”

“Oh, I don’t think he loves me,” she chuckled softly with a pained awareness. “We’ve talked about it, and we genuinely like each other – but he’s not in love with me.”

“But you’re in love with him,” Natalie guessed, and Lila groaned, rubbing her forehead.

“He’s not in love with you, told you that, and you are still moving?”

“I know it sounds crazy,” Stephanie began again, nodding to the waiter as they delivered their plates. She was grateful for the interruption and ready to inhale her steak at this point. The last thing she needed to have happen was for her to get ‘Hangry’ and end up saying something she would regret. “I think he really cares but is afraid to say the words.”

“Ever think that maybe he doesn’t know the words?”

“I thought of that,” Stephanie admitted quietly, looking at her food and cutting into her dinner. “I really did, but you didn’t see him when he was here with me.”

“He probably wanted to sleep with you again. I had a boyfriend like that, you know. Natalie did, too. Sometimes a guy will say or do anything to get his way – and when he’s done? Poof! Gone until the next time he wants a piece of…”

“Lila,” Stephanie interrupted, hushing the woman because her voice was getting more upset and starting to get louder. “That’s not the case because we didn’t sleep together this weekend. It was all about getting to know each other, and I’m not changing my mind.”

Lila looked at her, something broken in her gaze, as she nodded.

“You know I’m going to come visit you,” Lila warned, and Stephanie felt a burst of happiness within her at their understanding and acceptance of her decision. “If you aren’t oozing rainbows and sunshine outta your butt, I’m dragging you back here so fast the Derby will be calling me for the next race. Am I clear?”

“I would love for you both to come visit me when things get settled.”

“Count on it,” Lila said firmly and then pointed at Stephanie’s plate with her knife, a faint smile touching the corner of her lips. “Now, I want to see that entire steak gone, little Mama.”

“I’m trying to be polite and not ‘woof’ it down,” she laughed, smiling sheepishly at them. “I’d like to taste the thing.”

“Tasting is overrated,” Natalie chimed in.

“Ain’t no shame in the ‘woofing’ game when you are expecting. Eating for two means you can go two times as fast, and nobody will judge you,” Lila offered, smirking.

“Oh, maannn,” she groaned, salivating as she stabbed a large bite. “Y’all have no idea how glad that makes me right now. When the waiter comes back, if my mouth is full, someone order me the praline cheesecake.”

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