Page 110 of Flirting Lessons

“And I’m serious about that,” Taylor continued. “Erica and I have been friends for what feels like forever—she’s been there for me in just about every way imaginable, and I am so very happy for her and Sam and am thrilled to help them welcome their new addition to the world. Cheers to all three of them.” Everyone lifted their glasses as Taylor turned to Erica. Her smile and eyes both softened. “Auntie Taylor can’t wait to meet you.”

By the end of Taylor’s short speech, her eyes were, if not full of tears, at least slightly damp, and Erica was openly weeping. She stood up and pulled Taylor into a hug. Taylor patted Erica’s stomach and said something to it that made Erica burst into a fresh set of tears and pull her into another hug.

Once Erica had stopped crying, Sloane cleared her throat.

“I also wanted to say a little something. Most of you don’t know me that well—Erica and I are relatively new friends, we only met earlier this year after Erica and Sam moved in next door to me. Even though I’d been in the neighborhood for over a year, I felt like I didn’t really know anyone yet. I can be kind of shy, and I work from home, and my daughter is still pretty little, so I wasn’t going out and meeting a lot of people. And then Erica and Sam moved in, and it felt like my whole life changed. I was…in a very lonely place then, with a stressful job and a baby, and Erica’s friendship has meant so much to me.” She stopped, swallowed, and went on. “Erica, I am so grateful for your friendship, and I’m honored that I was able to help you and Sam out in any small way with this shower. To all of you friends and family of Erica and Sam, but especially Taylor, thank you so much for welcoming me,but I would have expected nothing less from any friend of Erica. Erica, thank you for everything, and I know I speak for all of us when I say that I can’t wait to meet that baby of yours!”

They all toasted again, and Erica sobbed even more. Erica hugged Sloane, while Taylor smiled at the two of them. She caught Avery’s eye and shrugged. Taylor walked across the party to her side.

“Okay, fine,” Taylor said in her ear. “You were right about Sloane. She’s not that bad. I may have been wrong there.”

Avery smiled and put her hand on Taylor’s back. When was the last time someone she was dating had admitted to being wrong? She didn’t think it had ever happened.

“That was a very sweet speech she gave, it’s true. But yours was better.”

Taylor looked half-pleased, half-embarrassed.

“I don’t know if that’s true, but thanks. It was…I mean, Erica’s friendship means a lot to me. I feel kind of like a jerk now after being so bitchy about Sloane. Maybe I’ll tell Erica that. Not now, she has to open her presents. Plus, that would probably make her cry, and I feel like she’s going to be dehydrated if she cries any more; but later.”

Avery rubbed the small of Taylor’s back, and Taylor put her arm around Avery’s waist.

“Good idea,” Avery said. “And thank you for the reminder.” She raised her voice. “It’s time for presents!”

Taylor felt so much warmthand love for Erica as she watched her open her presents. In the end, she was glad that she’d thrown her this shower, and that she’d been able to be a big partof this important day for Erica. She was even glad she’d thrown the shower with Sloane. And miraculously, it had gone well.

The miracle workers, of course, were Avery and Sloane. Either Avery or Sloane could have thrown a shower all by themselves and done an incredible job, but Taylor certainly couldn’t have. Could they have thrown this particular shower, which had been a great meld of Erica and Sam, without her? No, but she didn’t fool herself that they would have managed just fine on their own. But she was glad that she’d been a part of this, for Erica’s sake, and her own. And most importantly, Erica seemed to be having a great time.

Taylor saw Erica’s mom pat her on the shoulder, before walking over to Taylor.

“Unfortunately, we have to leave now, but the shower was lovely,” she said to Taylor.

“Oh, thank you so much, I appreciate that, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it,” Taylor said. “Anything for Erica.”

Erica’s mom nodded and gave her a firm handshake before she left. Erica looked up and watched them leave and then winked at Taylor. Now Erica could truly relax. She had a pile of gifts next to her, which Sloane—because she was Sloane—was neatly stacking into a set of fancy reusable bags that she’d conjured out of nowhere. Honestly, thank God for Sloane.

Taylor saw Erica pick up the enormous package wrapped in plain brown paper and watched her open the card. She mentally read it along with Erica.

“Don’t ask me to change any of these. Love you, Taylor.”

Erica grinned at her, and Taylor grinned back.

“I have a feeling I know what these are,” Erica said, and tore open the package. Every possible variety of diaper came tumbling out.

“A year’s supply,” Taylor said to her. “Just tell me which one your favorite is, and I’ll start sending them your way.”

Erica held out her arms to Taylor, with more tears streaming down her face, and Taylor shook her head.

“No time for tears, we can hug later! Keep opening!”

Erica laughed, wiped her face, and reached for another present.

A few minutes later, Sam whispered something to Erica and stood up. Erica frowned at her and started to whisper something back, then sighed and put a smile on her face. Taylor recognized that face. That was the “Erica is pissed but trying not to show it” face. What was going on?

Sam walked over to Taylor.

“I have a work call that I can’t miss, so I’m heading home, but thanks so much for everything you’ve done for this shower. I know Erica is thrilled. You or Sloane can give Erica a ride home, right?”

Ah, that’s why Erica was pissed. Taylor had a feeling that this work call—if not exactly fabricated—could have happened at a different time. Sam had even less of a tolerance for things like baby showers than Taylor did.

---