Page 82 of This Memory
Liam’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious? That’s amazing, Brystol. What a selfless thing to do.”
“Sheisamazing, isn’t she?” Aurora hugged Brystol.
“I didn’t want to say anything until after the first trimester. That just sort of slipped out.”
Liam motioned like he was zipping his lips. He glanced over to Cadie, who was holding a sleeping Winnie. “I should get her home. Thanks for letting me crash, guys. It’s been nice to sit and chat. Hopefully, I can talk Hope into coming out soon.”
“If you do, let us know. Maybe we can plan a dinner or something,” Cadie stated.
Nodding, Liam said, “I think she’d like that.”
As he took Winnie from Cadie, Aurora asked if he needed any help.
“If you wouldn’t mind helping me get this sleepy girl’s coat on.”
Aurora quickly got to work and put Winnie’s coat on like it was something she did every day.
“Thanks,” Liam said, giving Aurora a polite smile. “I’ll see you around.”
She nodded. “Tell Hope I’ll call her later.”
Glancing at the rest of us, Liam held up a hand while Aurora put the still-sleeping Winnie in her stroller. “Bye, guys, thanks again for having us.”
Everyone offered their goodbyes and well wishes for Hope. When Liam walked out the door, all eyes went to Aurora.
“What? Why are you all looking at me like that?” she asked.
“Is Hope really doing better?” Harper asked. “She started taking my phone calls but refuses to talk about herself at all. She sounds good, and when I asked about stopping by, she said soon.”
Cadie nodded. “That’s what she said to me as well.”
Aurora shrugged. “I haven’t been over there in a month or so now. At least, not inside. I still drop off food sometimes but never go in. And we still talk on the phone, but not for long. Mainly just me checking in to see if she needs anything.”
“What’s going on?” Kian asked. “I would think she’d be thankful you were helping out like you have been.”
Her cheeks turned red as she dropped back into her seat. She sighed and looked at Cadie, Harper, and Brystol. “The girls already know about this, but a while back, she kind of accused me of overstepping with Winnie. And then Liam told Nathan that Hope was getting jealous of how much time I was spending with her daughter. The last thing I want is for her to feel that way, so I backed off. I still help Cadie with the meal train and such, but I thought it best to take a break.”
“I can understand why you’d do that,” Brystol said. “But I think what you’ve been doing is lovely, Aurora, helping them so much. I’m sure Hope is just tired and overwhelmed and doesn’t have any ill feelings toward you.”
Aurora gave a weak smile. “I hope not.”
“Brystol?”
I looked behind me to see Evelyn standing a few feet away with a pizza box in her hands.
“Evelyn,” Brystol said, standing and making her way over to her friend. She kissed her on the cheek. “Picking up pizza for you and Denny?”
Evelyn nodded, looked around the table, then back to Brystol. “How was the race?”
Beaming, Brystol replied, “I came in fourth.”
With a smile that seemed genuine, Evelyn replied, “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Gavin and I could stop by to tell you about it, if you’re free this evening.”
Evelyn’s face lit up. “Sure! That would be great. We’ll be home all evening, so stop by anytime.”
Brystol nodded. “Okay, I’ll text before we head over.”
