Page 85 of Loving Lizzy

“Bryanna, Saint shows up almost daily at the bakery. Why don’t you give him a chance, I know he likes you?” Kassie took her toy and shut it off before returning to her seat.

“Girl, I got his number and I’m not about to dial it.” She announced.

The men all glanced in Saint’s direction. The disappointment clearly showed on his face.

“I don’t understand. Saint’s honest, hardworking, and when I stayed in the hospital, he held my hand all night to let me know he stayed with me. What did he do to make you feel he’s a player?” Kassie asked, genuinely confused by Bryanna’s view of her friend.

Bryanna paused. “This stays between us?” She glanced at the women before talking again. “He’s a player. He saunters into my store and uses his kid to make it appear he’s a devoted family man. Don’t get me wrong, the man’s got a nice package. The bulging arms, tight abs, and his ass… But he’s a military man, who’s gone around all the bases if you get my meaning. He tries using those big brown eyes to soften me up, but all I see is trouble with a capital T.”

Kassie took a sip of wine. “Saint’s a teddy bear. I imagine all the men on the team experienced women throwing themselves at them. I mean, can you blame them? He carries the biggest heart. He cares for Miss Edie. Since I’ve known him, I’ve only seen Saint with two women. Both clung to him like a piece of meat. If only you’d witnessed his disappointment. I think Saint wants more from a woman. If he persisted with you, then I say he saw something in you he likes. He asks advice about girl stuff to give Nugget the life she deserves. He’s a good man.”

Catherine sniffed. “It’s the pregnancy hormones. I’ll attest, Saint is the sweetest man ever. You need to give him a shot, Bryanna.”

Bryanna held her hands up, “Fine, if he asks me out, maybe I’ll take him up on it.”

The men silently sent Saint a thumbs up while he grinned.

Catherine still sniffed. Lizzy reached over and rubbed her back. “Is it only pregnancy hormones?”

Catherine glanced toward Kassie sadly and down to the floor. “I’m afraid my best friend will hate me when the baby comes.”

The guys all held their breaths, waiting for Kassie’s reaction. Chase’s jaw clenched in concern.

“I’ll never hate you, Catherine. How can you say such a thing after all we’ve went through?” She stood and moved closer to her best friend.

“Because I keep getting bigger and bigger. I remind you of what you lost.” Catherine rubbed her belly.

Kassie shook her head, “No. You don’t remind me. I only feel joy for you. Some days it’s hard because I walk into a grocery store and nine out of ten women are preggers. When you scurry down the hall or hide in your office, it makes it worse. Stop wearing oversized clothing to hide your belly from me. It makes me feel awful.”

The wine loosened Kassie’s tongue, “I’m sad because I let my husband down. If I hadn’t doubted him, we might have stayed on the mountain and our child might be here now. Chase epitomizes a good man; he loves Emma and me completely.” Kassie hiccuped. “I don’t like the disappointment on his face. We got pregnant the first time without a condom, without even trying. Now, nothing. But I don’t want you to hide from me, Catherine. I want to experience this with you.”

Chase swiped his face with his hand at Kassie’s admission. It appeared he and his wife needed a heart-to-heart discussion. The men sent him a nod of encouragement.

“Edie told me sometimes we get put on a journey for a reason. If the cancer hadn’t returned, I wouldn’t have met Diana or Barb. Mine and Michael’s relationship grows stronger and better than when we first married. He is my lighthouse in the storm, and I love him,” Lizzy sobbed.

Samantha sniffed, “Whiskey’s incredibly stronger than he gives himself credit. I cry every time I think of how hard he’s worked to build my dream home even when he wasn’t sure if I’d ever return. I love him more than life.”

Catherine wiped her nose with a napkin. “Leo completes me. I know he does stupid shit, and the team hid the fridge in the supply room to get back at him for his ridiculous baby demands. He’s overbearing, acting like a complete idiot and my backyard resembles the city playground, but I love his ass.”

Leo slowly turned to his men and shook his fist and then sent them all the finger. He motioned for them to start moving.

“Ivan saved me. He loved me when I didn’t love myself. He taught me how to give up control and he lets me be me. I love him beyond death.”

The men began to move toward the hallway.

Victoria stood and clapped her hands. “Dry the tears. We’ve got a party. I brought karaoke. I’ve never heard Kassie sing.”

Kassie stood and selected a song. “This song’s for our men. She sang ‘The Wreckage’ by Nate Smith. The women chimed in and sang as they held their glasses up and toasted.

The team attempted to sneak into the kitchen when Catherine announced the baby craved more of the barbecue wings. Lizzy joined her in the kitchen and settled in to discuss the nursery Catherine wanted for the baby.

“Come on ladies, let’s all sing this!” Kassie beckoned everyone to their feet, and they danced while singing “Fantasy.” Their outfits now forgotten, as they sang and shook to the music.

Realizing his wife blocked his attempt to get his red meat, Leo signaled the team to retreat. The men took one last glance before they snuck out the door, all carrying smiles on their faces.

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

Lizzy walked out the double glass doors and let out a relieved sigh. Her sixth and final round of chemo. Michael stood with a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands and wrapped her tightly in his arms. She closed her eyes and relished the feeling of making it through chemo.

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