Page 169 of Santa Daddies
“Thank you,” they say at the same time.
Jolene’s survey of her bag is cut short when her phone rings. She glances at the caller ID and freezes. “Oh no, it’s the babysitter.”
“Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”
She doesn’t move.
“Want me to get it for you?”
She reaches for her phone but stops short. “Yes, I’m such a terrible mom. I just want one evening to myself.”
Starla laughs, “You sound like a seasoned mother already.”
I answer the phone. It’s a quick and easy call. Smiling at Jolene, I say, “Everything’s fine. She was just asking if you know where the woobie is, and I remembered that it’s in my car. She’s on her way to pick it up.”
“Sacred blankets, so much to keep track of. What would I do without you?”
“You wouldn’t lose woobies in my backseat.”
A knock on the dressing room door is followed by Laz, the owner of the Aubergine Affair asking, “Can I come in? I have some exciting news to share.”
Starla tugs her dress up. “Yep, we’re all decent.”
“Great news, ladies!” He enters and flashes the program at us.
I take the shiny cardstock from him. There are four of us. Molly’s name has been added.
“Hot off the presses. Molly is on her way and Roxy is bringing a dress that should fit her.”
The three of us are too confused or stunned to react.
“That’s what you wanted, right?” Laz asks.
Jolene and Starla jump up and down, squealing in excitement.
“Oh my gosh, really?” I ask, not thinking of any reason he would be joking.
“Yeah, after you contacted us, we looked into it and long story short, her invite must have gotten lost…” He continues talking but my mental gymnastics make it impossible to process any more of his words.
“Does this mean she can take my place?” I toy with the hemp bracelet, my fingers rubbing the Krampus charm. I want to explore more of that rope bondage he did. I want to explore how easy he was to talk to. I want to explore why he didn’t run away when I said all I ever wanted to do was be a mom.
I want to know if we really had something.
“She’s not taking anyone’s place. We added her.” Laz tips the edge of the program down so he can point to the names.
Jolene steps close to me. “Don’t back out.”
Laz is confused. “Yeah, don’t back out. We’re reprinting the programs. This was the first one, I grabbed it off the copier to show you because I thought you’d be excited.”
“We are,” Jolene says.
“Bellamie?” Laz asks.
“Can I have a minute?”
“If you’re backing out, we’ll have to reprint. I need to know right away.” He checks his phone.
Starla ushers him out of the room, then she and Jolene crowd around me.
