Page 1 of Winning the Nightcap

Chapter One

Bec

“Holy shit,your boobs. I mean…uh, look at you, Momma! You look incredible.” I walk into Ellie’s living room to give her a squeeze hello, while she sits on the couch holding sweet baby Luca. “But seriously, what happened to your boobs?”

I know I should be looking at my best friend’s face, sincerely looking into her eyes and telling her that she looks radiant—a true rock star for birthing the most beautiful newborn baby I’ve ever seen. But I can’t, not when her nipples are staring at me like that.

“Apparently, my milk coming in means I get a natural lift before they drop to the ground forever. Too bad this gift is ruined by the fact that I’m so sore I could just about cry every time this little potato latches on. Who the hell knew breastfeeding was the least natural thing I’d ever try to do,” she explains.

I don’t have it in my heart to mention that there is spit-up in her hair and on her shirt.Is it on the couch too?She probably already knows; best to just let that go, since I assume there will be more any minute.

“Oh my god, is that for me?”

“Of course, I come bearing gifts. Some caffeine for you, supermom. Let’s see your body work miracles and turn this sugar fest into liquidgold for little Luca here.” I hand over her favorite chai latte from the local coffee shop and a blueberry muffin the size of my face.

I grab my coffee, throw my purse onto the floor, and get comfortable next to Ellie on the sofa. Have you ever seen a sectional from Costco before? Those couches look normal in a store the size of a warehouse. You bring that bad boy home, and it’ll devour half of your living room. It’s the best thing in the world. I’ve crashed over here plenty of nights, and I choose this couch over the guest bed. Every. Damn. Time.

“Hey, Bec. Good to see you. You guys want pizza or burgers for lunch? I was just about to order for delivery, so I can wash up a few dishes while it’s on the way.” He looks around, scratches his head, then rests his hands on his hips. “We somehow don’t have a single clean plate in the house, so I need to wash a few before we can eat.”

Dom, Ellie’s husband, looks like he’s seen a ghost. Or he is a ghost. I’ve never seen a more exhausted person in my life. His shirt is rumpled, and he almost looks lost. His restless eyes scan their home like there are a million things to do and he is just managing to keep it together with one small task at a time. I can see the dishes piled high in the kitchen sink from here. Day five and this kid has given my put-together friends a true shake-up to their routine. What a force of nature.

Dom walks over and gives Ellie a kiss on her forehead while brushing a hand over Luca’s head. He’s the only guy I trust with my best friend, and this is why. He looks like he’s about to fall asleep standing up, frazzled beyond belief, and still trying to take care of Ellie and his son with a look of pure adoration on his face.

Ellie perks up. “My vote is pizza. Dom, can you please bring me some water?”

“Yeah, sure. Here, just take mine.” He hands her his coffee mug.

She stares down at it, not taking it just yet, and gives it a sniff. “Uh, Dom, is that coffee withBaileys?”

“Yeah, there’s water in coffee, right? I didn’t realize I grabbed Baileys instead of coffee creamer. I’m calling it a happy, sleep-deprived accident.” He is talking so fast; I can barely make out what he’s saying.

I should have come sooner.

Best friend stepping up to bat in three, two…“Hey Dom, why don’t you go rest for a bit. I’ll get Ellie some water and order us some food. We’ll wake you when it gets here.”

“Seriously?!” He half screams at me. I swear he’s tearing up. Shit, this dude is acting like I’m about to hand him a check for ten million dollars. I guess sleep is more valuable around here right now.

“Yeah, I got it. Tag me in, man.”

Ellie pipes in. “That’s a great idea. Babe, go rest now so at least one of us can function later. You crash now, then it’s my turn.”

Dom kisses Ellie again and sprints upstairs to hopefully fit in a very needed power nap. I grab Ellie some water and call in our order for delivery. When I’m done, I sit and turn to Ellie. “Seriously, I’m so proud of you. How are you feeling, little momma?”

Ellie’s been with me through everything. An all the way back to preschool–type friendship. Finish each other’s sentences–type friendship. Don’t speak for two weeks and then pick up like it’s been five minutes–type friendship. Held my hair back on my twenty-first birthday–type friendship. Spiritually, the girl’s my twin. My soul mate. But we couldn’t be living more different lives right now. That fact is staring me in the face in the form of an eight-pound slobber monster. God, that thing is cute. Terrifying…but cute.

“I think I’m in shock. The birth was so fast and not what we were expecting at all with the emergency C-section. I’m relieved to be home and safe with Luca. We barely slept at all while we were recovering in the hospital. Everything feels confusing, and I’m unsure how to do anything confidently anymore. The only thing I’m sure of is howmuch I love this little guy.”

She’s staring at the slobber monster like I’ve never seen anyone look at anything before. It’s incredible to see her becoming a mom right in front of me. I can feel the shift in her. Like when you see a kid watching fireworks for the first time, true wonder behind their eyes, not quite believing what they’re seeing. Magic.

“Well, pizza will be here in an hour. What can I do to help? Put me to work.” I stand and she looks at me with gratitude.

“You don’t have to do anything. I just appreciate you for being here.”

“Anytime you need me, I’ll come running, you know that. Let me switch dishes, throw in a load of laundry, and get the trash out while you pick out today’s Netflix binge, sound good?”

She switches the baby from the right side of her body to the left side, using a mountain of pillows to prop him closer to her, and starts nursing. “I’ll browse, but you know what it’s going to be. Season four is out next month, we have to get ready.”Stranger Thingsis one of Ellie’s favorite comfort shows, and mine too. Time to get to work and then introduce Luca to the city of Hawkins.

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