Page 15 of Finding the Pieces

“Wow, you sound like a therapist.”Better than the last one I paid.

She smiles wistfully. “Not a therapist. Just a big fan of them.”

“I tried that already. It…didn’t work out,” I admit.

“Eh, therapist shopping is like trying to find a pair of jeans. Uncomfortable but necessary, and the right one puts some pep in your step. I know a good one, if you want her info. Here.” She pulls out her business card and writes another number on the back.

“Here’s my number and hers. If you need some informal bullshit like what I just fed you, or someone to sit next to at the playground, I’m your girl. But if you’re ready to step into the fire, call her. I promise, she’s the real deal.”

Chapter seven

Dom

“Aiden, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this uncomfortable before,” Ellie says with a smirk.

“Of course, I’m uncomfortable. The last time I was here, Luca and Hopper conspired against me. It’s only a matter of time before it happens again,” Aiden says. He’s leaning against the wall between the kitchen and living room, arms crossed, and a look on his face that says he’s ready to run at the first sign of trouble. Apparently, a baby spitting up on your chest and your dog proceeding to lick it off isscarringor whatever.

“Babe, they can smell fear. You’re making yourself an easy target. Where’s that confidence from last night?” Bec says with a wink.

“Ah-ah-ah, not in front of young ears.” Ellie laughs, holding her hands over Luca’s tiny ears.

A blush finds its way to Aiden’s face as he glares at Bec. Well, glaring as much as he can. The guy’s fallenhardfor Ellie’s best friend; there’s not much he wouldn’t give her. Except a glare, I guess.

“Hey, don’t lump my son into this. He’s not even one. Isn’t your dog supposed to be trained?” I ask.

“Don’t blame the trainer,” Bec, a professional dog trainer and Hopper’s unofficial dog mom, singsongs from across the room where she and Ellie are seated on the floor. “Peek-aaaaaa-boo!” Luca giggles and babbles, eyes wide with wonder as he looks to Bec to do it again. Hopper lies on his side, his back flush against Bec’s outstretched leg. She absentmindedly rubs her hand along his belly as Ellie pets his head.

Spoiled dog. Good for him.

“Well, if I can’t blame the baby, the parents, the dog, or the trainer, who can I blame?”

“Yourself,” we all say in unison, before Aiden rolls his eyes and mutters something about getting another drink before heading into the kitchen.

I let loose a chuckle as I finish my own beer, following him to the fridge. “You know we’re right,” I say.

He hands me the bottle opener and sighs.

“Yeah, which is why I’m begging you to remove me from the babysitting list. When Luca hits T-ball age, then you and Ellie can tap me back in for babysitting.”

“Deal. But was it reallythatbad?”

“I swear to god, it was the grossest moment of my life,” he says, a grimace taking over his face.Is he turning green?

“Gonna have to get over that squeamish shit when you and Bec have kids.”

Aiden watches Bec as she plays with Luca, Ellie, and Hopper in the living room. Even from a distance, it’s clear how different this is for him. How different he is because of her.

Aiden’s been a great friend for as long as I’ve known him. He went through some heavy shit with his family growing up, but he never let it affect him. At least he made it appear that way. Everything came to a head a few weeks ago, but he started seeing my therapist and leaning on Bec and the rest of us for support instead of keeping it all inside his head. He seems to be doing a lot better.

He had to do the heavy lifting for himself—we couldn’t do that for him. But still, I can see the way Bec has changed his life for the better. The same way Ellie and Luca have changed mine.

I know what’s coming.

“Yeah, about that,” he says, eyes still on Bec, a small, knowing grin tugging on the corner of his mouth.

Never mind, I didn’t expect that. Guess we better save Luca’s hand-me-downs.

“Shut the fuck up, you didn’t…”

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