Page 64 of Lyrical

“Not the best, I’m afraid,” Cassie answered. “It can take a lot out of you at that age.” I wondered if she knew that Candace was a couple years younger than me, even though I always thought her to be slightly older until recently. “She needs to be extra careful. It’s good that you don’t have to worry about those kinds of things anymore, Jillian.”

How the fuck old does she think I am?

“I need to take off, find Perry.” Before I slapped that damned smile into next week. “Will you be home later, Daniel? Dinner?”

“Yeah, Mom. Sounds great.”

I left, passing by the T-shirts and heading towards the hats. I was already almost dry, anyway; I’d get the shirt next time if I still wanted it. I found Perry in front of the mirror, checking herself out in a pink fitted cap.

“Whatddya think?” she asked, making kissy lips.

“It’s you.”

“Yeah, I think I’ll get it.” I walked with her towards the checkout line. “Find anything?”

“Besides Daniel and Cassie?”

She glanced back, raising an eyebrow. “I thought he was coming with Mike.”

“Oh, Mike’s here too. With Candace.”

“Fun times all around.”

“Oh my God.” I couldn’t believe I forgot to tell her. “Candace is pregnant.”

We took our place in line, and she faced me. “Really?” She peered in my eyes. “How do you feel about that?”

“I’m happy for her.” Perry nodded, and I laughed. She claimed she could always tell if I was lying. I guess I passed the test. “I think Mike’s having a hard time accepting it, but hopefully that’s getting better. And Daniel’s cool about getting a sibling. It’s not going to affect him the same as if he were still a kid.”

“Right.” We stepped to the counter, and she handed the cashier her hat. “So, is her belly as big as her lips yet?”

I laughed, covering my mouth. “Perry, she’s still in her first trimester.”

“So, that’s a no, then. She still has another six months before she looks balanced.”

“Be nice.” Perry grabbed her hat, declining a bag and popping it on instead. “Where’s Stephen and Chris.”

“Already out there waiting for us.”

We exited and met up with them; they were leaning against the wall by the fried donut stand. “Nice hat,” Stephen said.

Perry gave him a kiss. “Thank you, honey. You didn’t get anything?”

“Naw, nothing caught my eye.”

“Except me in this hat?”

“Yes, baby.” He slung his arm around her, pulling her in for another kiss.

We made our way to the sky boxes, and I had that tug in my chest. I really wanted Chase with me, holding my hand or whispering in my ear. I always wanted him with me. When had I gone from Miss Independent to needing him all the damn time?

“You okay, Jills?” she asked when we were checking in at the desk.

“Yeah. Just missing Chase, wishing he were here. Ugh. I feel so needy.”

“It’s called love. You should probably get used to it.”

Perry and I followed Stephen and his buddy down the hall. “Chris isn’t too talkative today,” I said.

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