Page 21 of The Benefits of Love (As I Am 2)

Iraised Rowan to my eye level, making aface. “Daddy must really love Mommy, doesn’the?”

Little dude chuckled and Thomas glanced at him, his eyes overpouring with love when they settled on him. “Ido, and everything Ibake is especially for her. It’sbeen arough week, so I’mtrying to spoil her with her favorites and by doing everything Ican around the house.”

“And she’sokay with you taking over everything?” Iasked, knowing Erin valued her independence.

“Besides the yummy food, no, she’snot okay with it at all.” Her voice, somber with atrace of humor in it, reached from behind me. Iturned, catching aglimpse of her and Laura who held Violet in her arms, strolling in.

“Iagree with Erin.” Laura perused the plates of food that covered every inch of the table. “Thomas, you def made it to the list of top ten worst husbands.”

“I’mtaking it you and Zach coordinated jokes today.” Thomas huffed alaugh.

My eyes shifted from him to Laura. Icaught her sneaking aglance at me, her lips twitching to the side before she continued to put Violet in the baby chair and sit next to Erin.

Thomas poked my shoulder, raising an eyebrow and silently communicating with me,Did Ido something?

Igave asubtle shake of my head, indicating,No idea, man.

He nodded,All right.

After years of friendship, sometimes words were unnecessary.

We sat around the table, me in front of Laura and the babies between their parents who fed them from their mashed food, which Thomas was in charge of making as well. The trays were passed mainly from Laura to me, since Erin and Thomas were busy feeding their children who were in turn busy throwing it back at them.

As cynical as I’dbeen throughout the years, Icouldn’thave been happier with their lovey-dovey stares at each other and at the babies. They thrived in their careers while being devoted partners and parents, all thanks to the strong bond they had. Abond that came once in alifetime.

“Laura, shoot! Iforgot to tell you.” Erin twisted to the side, wiping amashed potato from her cheek, her grin evident. “Ithink, Ihope at least, that Ifinally found your perfect match.”

The fork Iheld with apiece of pancake dropped to the plate, the loud clatter getting everyone’sattention and Violet’sclaps and giggles. Laura’seyes widened briefly in awarning, then returned to Erin, wiping off the scary expression.

“Sorry.” Ileaned back and patted my stomach, concealing the mild disturbance the news of Laura dating someone caused me. “Ithink Ihad one too many muffins, and somehow I’mstill eyeing another one of those chocolate chip cookies. My stomach works in mysterious ways.”

“As Iwas saying”—Erin faced Laura after sending me ayou’re aweirdolook—“there’sthis student of Thomas, arising star who graduates this year and he’shandsome and—”

Ibarked alaugh, laying my palms flat on the table and causing my glass to shake. “Really? Four years younger than her?”

The words left my mouth without permission, the greediness and possessiveness of Laura seeping into my bloodstream and wreaking havoc in my head. Ididn’trecognize myself, but then again, I’dnever had so much fun with awoman before.

Rationalizing that Laura valued her single life same as Idid, didn’tcontradict my notion that with the right person, the right push who’dappreciate her regardless of her working hours, she might’ve changed her mind.

And if Icouldn’tshake the feeling off, Ihad to do something.

“Why not just set her up with someone from your middle school, Erin?” Asnide tone snuck up into my question. “Imean, if you go for the cougar vibes, at least go full-out.”

Thomas placed alarge, menacing hand on my shoulder, and Ishrugged him off.

“Excuse me?” Erin’sbrows furrowed. “How is Laura’sdating life any of your business?”

She had no idea how much of my business it was. Even though we weren’tacouple, even though we had never declared exclusivity. Because we were in away together, and the thought of someone else touching her or loving her made me want to punch ahole through the table.

My nose flared, agesture that Thomas caught. He put his hand back on me, his fingers clenching. “Stop it.”

Iclosed my eyes and focused on not causing ascene and not treating my best friend’swife like adouche. She had Laura’sbest interests in mind, and plus she was the sweetest woman Iknew. Ihad to make amends.

When Iopened my eyes, Icleared the venom from them and smiled. “Just pointing out that Laura shouldn’tbe dating minors. Being alawyer and all.”

“Zach, you’re being an asshole, not alawyer.” Erin chuckled, the exact reaction Ihad aimed for. “You don’teven…oh! Oh, Violet…” She rushed to her when Violet chose to interfere her momma’sberating me by vomiting on the adult who took her from her baby seat, Laura.

“I’mso sorry, Laura.” Erin picked her up from Laura’shands and pressed her lips to her forehead. “No fever,” she reassured Thomas who had already jumped to his feet.

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