Page 41 of The Love We Make

“Don’t thank me, darling. Thank Nora.”

“Can you believe this place? That view is to die for.” Her gaze is pulled to the cityscape below us. “Does this mean Nora and you are the kind of friends who hang out at each other’s houses all the time?”

“We’ll have to see about that.” I glance over at Nora. Jennifer is talking her ear off about something, but Nora doesn’t seem perturbed. They look like they’re having a pleasant chat. My mind is pulled back to the conversation I had with Nora on this very patio a few days ago.

“She’s so nice. So… down-to-earth.” All my daughters sound as though they have a massive crush on Nora today.

“I could get used to this.” Austin joins us. “Nora’s the closest thing to family Juan has, so I think I will get used to it, thank you very much.”

“Oh, yesss!” Lauren shouts from the side of the pool. “Turn it up, please. It’s the new Other Women tune.” I’ll need to keep my eye on her. Someone’s been a bit heavy-handed with the champagne—I suspect Juan. “Time to dance!” Someone must have heard her, because the music’s suddenly a lot louder. Lauren jumps up and starts dancing.

“I knew Lauren would embarrass herself,” Austin says. “I’ve got this.” Instead of having the music turned down again and coaxing his sister into a chair, he joins her. They’re dancing in front of the pool and I can only be filled with joy as I watch them. Juan starts shaking his hips as well.

I glance over at Nora to gauge how she feels about this sudden rowdiness. Our eyes lock for a split-second. She seems okay. Jennifer gets up and joins her siblings on the pool-side dance floor.

“I’m going to check on Nora,” I say to Heather.

“I’m going to dance.” Jennifer’s already pulling her toward the others.

I join Nora on a lounge chair a few feet away from the make-shift dancefloor.

“I hope this is not too out-of-control for you.”

“It’s absolutely fine.” Nora reaches for her champagne glass. “In fact, I might join them. Your kids are so sweet, Mimi. Just like you.” She chuckles. “And they sure can bust a move.” This is the version of Nora who came to dinner at my house—who tried to kiss me. She’s not the only one to have had too much champagne this afternoon—it’s the kind of event for it. “Do you want to dance with me?” Her eyes are pleading and watery as she looks at me.

“No, I’m going to leave that to my kids.” I lean toward her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Oh, yeah. I can’t get through an afternoon like this without some liquid courage. But I’m fine. Perfect. I just had a very interesting conversation with Jennifer about the joys of being single. I like her and what she has to say. A lot.”

“I think that feeling’s fairly mutual.”

“Please excuse me, but I’m a huge fan of The Other Women. I simply have to dance to this song.” Nora jumps up. She’s wearing nothing but a bikini and it’s hard not to look at her perfectly sculpted body. I’ve caught glimpses, mainly of her arms and impressive shoulder line, but Nora in a bikini is something else.

The kids go berserk with Nora dancing between them. The smiles on their faces are like the ones they sported on Christmas morning when they were younger.

“Come on, Mama.” Juan shuffles toward me and beckons me to him. “Dance with us.”

When Nora said pool party, I wasn’t expecting this. But the kids are elated, champagne’s been flowing freely, and everyone’s having a wonderful time. Imani has helped the boys out of the pool and even my grandsons are doing something that looks like dancing. Bobby and Gus still can’t get enough of that state-of-the-art grill—they couldn’t be more stereotypically heterosexual if they tried.

The girls and Austin have formed a tiny circle around Nora, who seems to enjoy being the center of attention for once. I let Juan pull me up, because why the hell not? I can let my hair down. And I made this happen for my kids.

Juan twirls me around and it’s easy, riveting even, to dance with him and my kids and Nora. I have no idea who has taken control of the music—just like it’s hard to say exactly how many people have been working behind the scenes of this party this afternoon—but everyone keeps going as the songs change. I let myself be carried by the vibe of the afternoon, of this impromptu dance party, of being here at Nora’s house, surrounded by the people I love the most.

* * *

“And she can dance as well.” Nora flings an arm around my shoulders. “You are a woman of many talents, Mimi.” She holds up a glass of water. “Don’t worry, I’m done with the strong stuff.”

“Nora.” Jennifer joins us. We’ve been here all afternoon, but none of my daughters have had enough of Nora yet. “If you ever need a house sitter, I volunteer my services. I love dogs, too, so I’ve got the furries covered as well.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Nora says.

“Don’t let her talk you into anything.” Lauren turns up, Gus hot on her heels. “I wish we could stay longer, but we have to get back to the babysitter.”

“Maybe we can do it again sometime,” Nora says, to my surprise. “It was great having you over.”

“Someone’s phone is blowing up over here,” the chef shouts from the grill. It’s been the kind of afternoon that had everyone not care if they were a few feet removed from their phone—not a mean feat for my kids.

“That might me be.” Jennifer kisses her sister and brother-in-law goodbye and goes to fetch her phone.

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