Page 34 of Anything for You
And she delivered.
So, it makes perfect sense that she would be here today, on the biggest day of my life, giving me the mom hug and the quiet mom words and making me feel like everything will, in fact, be okay.
When we break apart, I ask, “So, you’re not mad I didn’t tell you I was registering to be a foster parent?”
She wraps an arm around my waist and guides me into the kitchen. “Honey this was yours to tell. I’m just glad I can be here for you today and for as long as Maddy is living with you. I’m here to offer my school pickup and drop-off services for times when you’re at work, and whatever else you need. I am definitely not mad about you keeping such an enormous secret from me.”
Julie lets out a full-blown snort. “Yeah right, Mom. As if you didn’t spend twenty minutes complaining to me on the phone last night about how you can’t believe you were left out of the loop.”
I grin as I take my seat at the island. There is nothing Rachel Parker hates more than when something is going on with one of us and she’s not the first to know.
Rachel narrows her eyes at Julie. “You know, I think I liked you better before you married Asher. You were so wrapped up in all your perfection and color-coded spreadsheets that you didn’t have time to give me shit.”
Julie grins good naturedly at her mom. “Well, unluckily for you, he’s obsessed with me, so I think I’ll keep him.”
Rachel chuckles and kisses the top of Julie’s head, giving her a side hug before taking her seat.
“So how do you feel, Em?” Molly pushes a take-out coffee cup and the donut box towards me. “You get the first donut pick.”
I take the coffee but shake my head at the donuts.
“I can’t eat yet.”
Julie reaches across the island and gives my hand a squeeze, her eyes full of understanding. She lives with anxiety, so I knew that of my three friends, she would be the one to really get it.
“Would it help to go over some details?” Hallie asks.
I consider this. “We still have a few hours before she gets here, so maybe in a little bit? I think I just want to be here with you guys for a while.”
“Definitely, there’s plenty of time.”
I take a sip of my coffee, grateful that my stomach decided coffee is acceptable. I need the caffeine after tossing and turning for half the night last night.
“So, Em,” Molly starts, grinning wickedly at me and tossing her long brown curls over her shoulder. I’m preoccupied enough that I don’t immediately know what she’s going to say. But the second she starts talking, I wish I could turn the clock back five minutes and tell Hallie now would be a fine time to go over all the details.
“I heard you were running with Jeremy last night when Hallie called you. Is there a sexy breakfast story in our midst?”
I shoot a look at Hallie. “You told them?”
She just shrugs at me, unbothered. “I didn’t realize it was a secret. I mean, did we or did we not have a whole conversation just yesterday about how you wanted to try and be friends with him?”
“We did, in fact, have that conversation.” Julie studies the pastry box, plucking out an apple donut and taking a bite. “So, was it a friendly run?” she asks through a mouthful of donut.
“Something like that,” I mutter, assaulted again by memories of my head on Jeremy’s shoulder and his pinkie wrapped around mine.
“I sincerely doubt it was all that friendly,” Rachel says with certainty, leaning back in her chair and examining her bright red nails, mischief painted all over her face.
Julie whips her head around to stare at her mom. “What do you know?”
“Jules honey, I think you would have realized by now, I know everything.”
“Okay, well I don’t know anything, so start talking, Mom.”
“Jeremy is Emma’s.” Rachel looks at all of us like the answer is obvious. “I’ve known that since the first Thanksgiving we all spent together when the two of them met.”
All four of us gawk at her, my stomach doing somersaults at her words.
Jeremy is Emma’s.
