Page 34 of When We Breathe
And I love so much that my passion for reading has only strengthened my relationship with my men.
After about an hour and a half of discussing the book and lots of girl talk, the crowd starts to thin as some of them filter out to go home. But a core group of us always stays late.
My best friend group.
The girls who have been part of my life for so long, they feel like my family. Because they are.
Dani and I both grab another strawberry shortcakecup that Jackie, who owns The Sugar Studio, brought with her tonight, refill our wine, and join the others.
Billie, Skyla, Millie, Dani, and I are left, and this is when we all know that we can speak freely, no matter what.
Not that we don’t love and trust the other women. Hell, I’ve known the Wilds all my life, and I love them all. But this is my circle of trust.
“I can’t wait for next month’s read,” Skyla says, sipping her wine. “I love Sara Cate’s books.”
“They’re so sexy,” I agree with a nod.
“Speaking of sexy,” Billie says with a smile in my direction. “Let’s talk about how you’re doing with your two men, my friend.”
“Why are you singlingmeout? All of us have men here. We should go around the room and give updates.”
“That’s fair,” Dani says.
“Great. You first.” I lift my eyebrow at my twin sister and give her a sly smile. See what I did there? I took the focus off myself.
“Bridger and I are fabulous,” she says. “Okay, next.”
“Whoa,” Millie says, holding up her hand. “Let’s slow it down a smidge. I know Bridger’s been busy with work lately, and it’s summer. How are things with Birdie? How’s she feeling?”
“She’s doing so well,” Dani says. “Since we figured out that celiac disease has been making her so sick, we’ve been able to modify our kitchen and what she eats, and she’s really doing great. Bridge has been busy, but we still manage to have our driveway dates.”
Skyla blinks in confusion. “What in the world is that?”
My sister has always loved lying on a warm concrete driveway to look at the stars.
“It’s really weird,” Dani warns Skyla.
“We all have quirks,” Skyla reminds her. “I’m genuinely curious.”
Reaching over, I take my sister’s hand, and I feel her relax.
“Do you know how, after a hot day, the concrete on the sidewalk and the driveway stays warm for quite a long time?” Dani asks, and we all nod. “Well, I like to lie on it and look at the stars. Do some affirmations. Meditate. That sort of thing. And when we were dating, Bridger found me doing that and would lie beside me, and it sort of became our thing.”
“Okay, that’s kind of adorable,” Millie says with a grin. “And I love that you still do it, even after getting married.”
“How about you and Holden?” I ask Millie. “You two still seem to be very happy. In fact, my broody brother is downright jovial lately.”
Millie sighs and crosses her legs, leaning back in her chair. “Holden is my soulmate. I’ve known that since I was nineteen years old. He’s the best part of every day, and that will never change. Sure, sometimes I’d like to smother him in his sleep, but then the PMS is over, and I love him again.”
That makes me snort, and I sip more wine. I’m definitely starting to feel tipsy.
“Skyla?” Billie asks. “Also, I’m ignoring the fact thatyou’re all sleeping with my brothers. Well, everyone except Millie.”
“Beckett and I are wonderful,” Skyla says in that sweet Irish accent of hers that always makes us sigh. “He’s my safe place.”
“Wow, we’re all so mushy,” I say, sipping more wine.
“Your turn,” Billie says.
