Page 101 of Thanks for the Friendship
“What are you two talking about?” I look up to see Cal standing in the doorway of my kitchen.
Did he hear us talking about kids? I will totally throw Theo under the bus. He’s the one who brought it up.
“Ah, this is good stuff,” Theo says. “We were just talking about our kids being best friends someday.”
“Theo was talking about it,” I insist.
I wait for Cal’s reaction. He doesn’t run out of the house screaming, so I guess that’s a good sign. Instead he joins us and wraps his arms around me, planting a firm kiss on my lips.
“Or maybe they won’t get along,” Cal suggests. “Like you two.”
What’s happening right now? These men are talking about our hypothetical children being friends or foes.
Theo hands Cal a plate, and he opens a pizza box. He doesn’t seem to be phased one bit about this subject.
Gabby rejoins us in the kitchen, and Theo fills her in on the conversation. She looks as confused as I feel. Believe me, I definitely want children someday. This just wasn’t the conversation I expected to have over pizza with my old-new boyfriend and my former nemesis.
“How was your day?” Cal asks, finally getting off the kid subject.
“It was, interesting … Diane called me to apologize.”
“Really? Good.”
“She didn’t say she was wrong about Sara, but she said she was sorry for the way she acted. And she thanked me for helping her find the house. I’m just glad she doesn’t completely despise me.”
“She doesn’t. I think she knows the truth deep down.”
Reagan and Jeremy arrive home a few minutes later and, as expected, Jeremy brought a big box from Donut Giant.
“Your boyfriend is a monster,” Gabby says to Reagan. “Doesn’t he realize that I have to fit into a wedding dress?”
Reagan giggles. “You don’t have to eat one.”
Gabby frowns. “Oh, sure. Like I could fight that temptation. I don’t think I have that much willpower.”
I smile as I look around the kitchen. I feel like I should pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Somehow I ended up with the best friends anyone could ask for, and Cal Sims and I are finally together. I always believed that good things could happen if you worked hard enough. But at some point I gave up on finding my happily ever after.
“What are you thinking about?” Cal whispers, his breath tickling my neck.
I lean my head back against his chest. “I was just thinking that I never want to forget nights like these.”
“Don’t worry, I have a feeling you’re going to have plenty more just like this.”
“I can’t wait.”
* * *
After the guys leave, Gabby, Reagan, and I are sitting on the patio talking.
“We really need to get moving on those wedding plans,” Reagan squeals. “It’s going to be so much fun.”
Gabby forces a smile, but there’s a look of sheer terror in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Just nerves,” she says with a sigh. “The last time I planned a wedding it didn’t turn out so well.”
“That’s because you weren’t meant to get married,” Reagan says knowingly. “If you had married Dustin, you never would’ve moved to Miami and we wouldn’t have met.”
