Page 10 of Hell Hath No Fury
Yasmin looks around the kitchen and the mess on the high chair. “What happened here?”
“Edie was feeding Maddox her breakfast.”
Yasmin turns to us, a smile on her face as she rubs Edie’s cheek. “Did you now? Did Daddy need help with his breakfast?”
She claps her hands together. “Da-da.”
“I swear, it’s her favorite word. How’s that fair?” I pout. “Say, aunt Callie.”
“Da-da.”
“Callie.”
“Da-da.”
I let out a sigh. “It was worth a try.”
Yasmin laughs. “C’mon, give her to me and go get dressed. We’re already late as it is.”
“How can you be late for shopping?”
“Trust me, you can.” She pulls Edie out of my arms. “Come to aunt Yas, pretty girl. How about that banana now?”
* * *
“Explain to me again, why you have to do everything at the last minute?” Yasmin asks as we walk out of the store, a bag in hand.
I glance at her. “It worked out, didn’t it?”
My best friend shakes her head. “Only you’d be so lucky to get the perfect dress the day before the event you have to attend.”
“What can I say?” I shrug. “It’s been a busy few weeks.”
With everything else going on, I didn’t get a chance to do this sooner, and while I probably could find something in my closet, or, well, Yasmin’s, I wanted to buy something new and look sexy. It’s not only my anniversary, but it’s going to be the first date Hayden and I have gone on in months.
“Tell me about it,” Yasmin mutters as we stop at the coffee cart. “Want to grab some?”
I tilt my head to the side and give her a pointed look. “Is the sky blue?”
“Hey, I’m just asking. Do you need to buy anything else?”
We stand in the line, which thankfully isn’t too long. I look around, checking out the shops. “I guess I could check out some new shoes. Is Nixon coming?”
“No,” Yasmin sighs. “He’s on the road with the team. I’m so ready for winter break and to visit him.”
“I can bet.”
If I have it bad, then Yasmin has it worse. At least Boston is a quick drive away. Florida, on the other hand? Too fucking far away.
“I’m so fucking ready for this year to be over,” Yasmin says as we move to the cart, and place our orders.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I slide the boutique bag over my forearm and pull it out, a smile spreading over my face when I see Hayden’s name pop up on the screen. I open the message, only to find a photo of his pouting face attached.
Butterflies spread inside my stomach. Except for that one evening we had when I drove to Boston to watch his game—which really doesn’t count since we’d been together for less than twelve hours—we haven’t seen each other for four weeks. They were the longest four weeks of my life. You’d think this is our first time being separated, not that we’ve been doing this long-distance shit for the past year and a half, but I swear the closer we come to the end, the harder it is for me to be away from him.
Hayden: I’m going insane here.
Just then, the guy behind the counter hands us our coffees, and I give him a twenty before pulling Yasmin away.
