Page 124 of Beautiful Thing

Daphne’s a bridezilla, in the cutest way possible.

Ziggy’s halfway through a story about her latest prenatal meditation retreat when I get a call from a number I don’t recognize. I frown, noting that the call is from a local area code. I know that Sky’s safe with Mrs. and Grandma Brighton today, and that this is not my babysitter’s number. So I decide not to answer. I don’t want to be rude, especially to Ziggy. Her startlingly accurate psychic abilities scare me sometimes.

I slide my phone back into my purse when I hear my name being called across the table. “I heard about the cops being at your old house, Layla,” Nicky is saying. “Do you know if Janet’s okay?”

I grimace. Archer told me what he witnessed on the way home the other evening.

“I haven’t seen her lately. I sure hope she’s alright though.” I may not be chummy with Janet, considering her relationship with Razor started before mine actually ended. But I’d never wish anything bad on a pregnant woman.

“Well, did you hear that rumor that’s been going around town?” Daphne asks, a knowing look on her face.

Karli nods. “That Janet’s baby isn’t really Razor’s?”

My eyes widen. “I actually hadn’t heard that. Yikes. Well I guess that would explain all the fighting.”

“Do you think it’s true? That it’s not his?” Nicky questions over the rim of her virgin margarita.

Ziggy chimes in. “For what it’s worth, my intuition tells me the rumors are true.”

I give a little shrug. “Well, for the baby’s sake, it’d probably be best if Razor’s not the father. He isn’t getting anyDad of the Yearawards with Sky.”

Daphne scoffs. “What a pig. Some ladies came to my store the other day, and I overheard them talking about him. Sounds like he’s already entertaining new women at his house.”

“My god. Could that guy sink any lower?” Karli spits out. “His life has been all downhill since you left him, Layla.”

I force a chuckle. “Razor has a way of making even the dullest of men seem amazing. I’m just grateful that the womanizing jerk is no longer in my life.” It’s a little embarrassing to think of how many years I spent defending that loser for all his loser choices. But I’m free of that now.

My girls turn the conversation toward their significant others. They dish on how grateful they are for their men.As happy as I am to hear about their happiness, I feel the overwhelming heaviness of my jealousy.

Things are basically over between Archer and me, although we’re keeping it under wraps until after the wedding. I can tell that he’s hurt, and that hurts me. It fills me with guilt. This pain we’re both feeling could have been avoided. We should have never crossed the line. We should have stuck to his rules. Now, look at the mess we’re in.

Karli ventures off to settle the bill for the group and I tag along with her. I’ve been able to save a little aside since I’ve been staying with Archer, and I want to chip in some, too.I’ve been a weight, dragging everyone down over the past few months with all my woes and problems. So it feels really good to be able to contribute toward the bill today.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” I say, as Karli is signing her receipt. “Sky and I are going to move out of Archer’s place after the wedding. Does the offer to stay with you for a while still stand?” I hate asking for this favor, I really do. But I don’t have much of a choice.

My best friend’s pen slides off the paper. “What?! Why the hell are you moving out?”

I stutter but nothing substantive comes out.

“You know my door is always open for you and Sky,” she assures me, “but please don’t do this to yourself.”

“Things are getting complicated with Archer and me,” I push out through my clogged throat.

“I know it started off as a fake relationship thing, but the two of you obviously have feelings for each other,” she whispers roughly, frowning at me.

My shoulders flop on a shrug. “Maybe. But we’re both too scared to go all in. We’re both holding back. We’re all going to end up getting hurt. And I can’t…I can’t let Sky get hurt.”

She gives me a look of disappointment but doesn’t continue to fight me. “You know I’ll be there for you no matter what.”

“Thank you.”

Karli pulls me into a tight hug, but she doesn’t say anything else as we rejoin our table.

It’s okay, though. I don’t expect her to understand. She found her happy-ever-after.But love’s just not available to me.

Even if a man would ever be interested in a struggling single mom with a toxic ex and a rambunctious toddler, I’ve made upmy mind. I need to focus on being a mom. There’s no room for distractions.

Soon, we’re all saying our goodbyes and passing hugs around.On my way out to my car, I notice a voicemail on my phone from that call I missed earlier.

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