Page 8 of Pinky Promises

Chapter 4

Brynn

“Hello,”IsingsongasI enter the front door of Ben and Lexi’s brownstone.

The girls and I have a standing brunch date weekly. I was on my way to meeting them at Oh Crepe, a new brunch spot that just opened up downtown, when a text came through our group chat asking for a venue change.

Hadley’s four-month-old daughter, Olivia, had been up since last night, super fussy. I was more than happy to accommodate the new mama’s wishes, especially after last night’s events. A crowded restaurant is kind of the last place I want to be.

“In here,” a voice shouts from the kitchen. As I get closer, the soft wails of one baby girl fill my ears. When I enter the kitchen, Hadley is pacing back and forth with Olivia pressed against her chest.

“Shh, baby girl. Mommy’s here, and Daddy will be back soon.”

Hadley’s blonde curls are in a messy bun on top of her head, and the bags under my eyes that I covered up this morning are no match for hers. The front of her oversized black T-shirt, which, judging by the size, belongs to Asher, Olivia’s dad, is covered in stains that are more likely than not spit-up. Even in her disheveled state, motherhood looks good on her. She still has that lingering pregnancy glow, even if she would never admit it.

“Hey, Brynn,” Lexi says as she closes the fridge door with a bottle of champagne in hand. She sets it on the marble countertop before rounding the island and hugging me. I linger in our embrace a moment longer than usual, but not enough for her to notice or ask questions about my behavior.

“Thank you for the last-minute venue change.” Hadley’s voice is full of exhaustion, although she has a slight bounce in her step as she continues pacing.It must be a mom thing. Once, I caught her swaying back and forth with Olivia nowhere in sight. I set my purse down on the counter and make my way over to her, giving her a brief side hug. “I know we all were looking forward to checking that place out.”

“Girl, it’s no problem. There will be other times to go.”

“Actually, I sent Ben and Asher there to get takeout.”Fantastic idea from the brain of Lexi Baker for the win.I do an internal giddy dance.

“You want me to take her?” I hold out my arms in front of me.

Hadley sighs and relaxes her tense shoulders. “Do you mind?”

I snicker. “Do I mind? Are you kidding? I will take any chance I get to hold my niece.” Of course, we aren’t actually related, like Lexi and she soon will be. Lexi is marrying Ben, and his younger brother, Asher, is Hadley’s baby daddy. They have been dating since Olivia was born, well before then, but they had a brief break during her pregnancy. They seem to have gotten past their issues and are happy now.

That’s all I ask for—my friends to be happy.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I coo, looking down at this beautiful baby girl in my arms.

“You have no idea how much I love you right now.” Hadley raises her arms above her head, stretching side to side before taking a seat at one of the barstools at the island. “That little one has been nothing but fussy. The doctor says it’s all normal, but I don’t know. She only seems to want Asher these days. It’s like I’m terrible at this whole parenting thing.” She rests her chin on her propped fist.

“You knock that off, Hadley Kincaid. You are an amazing mom,” Lexi reassures her, rubbing tiny circles on her back.

With Olivia tightly pressed against me and seemingly content, I move to the other side of Hadley, sandwiching her between us.

“You are way better than mine ever was.” I give a sad smile. Hadley may have only been doing this parenting thing for a few months and is already, hands down, a better mother than mine has been my entire life. Not to mention, she’s way better than her own mom, who abandoned her as a child and died of an overdose when Hadley was only eight.

“It’s just so hard. Asher is a natural,” Hadley sighs.Who would have thought?It’s like he’s a new man from the Asher Harrington we first met—the total playboy now ready to lead daddy daycare.

“That’s because he’s an overachieving Harrington. It’s in their damn nature to be perfect at everything. It’s quite annoying.” Too bad Lexi’s words don’t match the big smile on her face.

“Umm, hello, pot meet kettle. I think ‘overachiever’ is a better-suited middle name for you than Nicole.” That girl has been overachieving since birth. “Have you thought about changing it to that when you change Baker to Harrington?”

“Ooo, I think maybe you’re on to something,” she taunts sarcastically.

I glance down at Olivia, who is now sound asleep.Maybe I’ll change my middle name to baby whisperer.

My gaze meets Hadley’s, and she must have noticed too because she mouths, “Hallelujah.” Her body relaxes even further. “Where the heck were you at 4:00 a.m. when she was practicing for herAmerican Idolaudition.” Maybe we should plan a night to take this sweet one off her parents’ hands so they can catch up on sleep. “Do you want me to take her back?”

I swat her away and turn slightly away from her so she understands that I’m not ready to give her up just yet. “No, I’ve got this. Enjoy your baby-free time.”

Hadley hops off the stool. “Don’t have to tell me twice,” she laughs as she follows Lexi around the island. Lexi carefully pops the bottle of champagne while Hadley grabs the glasses from the cabinet.

“Man, I miss this stuff.” Hadley sighs as Lexi fills the glasses with champagne and orange juice. I swear there are heart emojis in her eyes.

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