Page 38 of Just Add Friendship

“Sounds like a story I need to hear,” Steph mused.

“Is that a yes? If I show up on Julie and Dave’s doorstep in a couple of hours, you’ll open the door?”

“Maybe? I mean, I just told you that not seeing you for a week might be a good thing—for me. You know, so I don’t become too attached.”

“That doesn’t sound like an issue to me.”

Steph laughed. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes, I’ll open the door for you.”

Everything warmed inside of him, and he’d have to talk himself out of not breaking speed limits. “Great. I have a couple of things to finish up, then I’ll head out. Text me the address.”

“Okay, see you soon.” He felt gratified when he heard the smile in her reply.

Cal didn’t have things to finish up. Well, he always had work he could do, and some weekends were busier than weekdays. But his current client was a law firm, and it was still in the process of sending him the information he’d requested. So that wouldn’t likely come in today. Soon, though, he’d be following their client who was suspected of insurance fraud. That might mean he’d have to go dark for a few days, and he hoped it would be wrapped up by next weekend.

He’d worry about all that later. Right now, he had a woman to see.

INSTEAD OF READING OR TAKING a short nap, though she really was tired from a night of getting up several times with a three-year-old, Steph cleaned up the main parts of Julie’s house. It wasn’t exactly dirty, just normal toddler messy.

She had been planning on doing it anyway so that Julie and Dave could come home to a clean and organized house. But now that Cal was on his way, Steph felt a lot more motivated.

She had texted Julie first to make sure it was all right that Cal visited.

Julie was fine with it, and as Steph straightened up, she had a strange sense of surrealness come over her. Like she was straightening up during her own daughter’s nap while waiting for her husband to come home. She shook the invading thoughts away. As far as she knew, Cal would turn out too good to be true. She just hadn’t found his flaws yet.

A screech sounded from the other room. “Mommy!”

Maren was awake, and it was always in a panic. She didn’t wake up happy.

Steph hurried to the toddler’s bedroom and found her standing on top of her bed, trying to tug her shirt off.

“Hey, Maren, it’s me, Steph, remember?” She crossed the floor. “Mommy’s at the hospital with your baby brother.”

Maren’s wide green eyes surveyed Steph. Her hair had come out of its mini-ponytail and snarled about her head. “Where’s my baby brother?”

“With your mommy.” Steph reached the bed and held out her hand. “Do you have to go potty?”

She gave a solemn nod. Julie had told her that Maren would try to take off all her clothing when she had to use the bathroom.

“You can leave your shirt on,” Steph said. “I’ll help you with the rest in the bathroom.”

Maren looked undecided, but Steph gently grasped her hand. “Come on, I’ll help you get down. Do you want a treat after?”

Her green eyes brightened. “Treat?”

“Yep, you’ll get to choose a treat.”

“I want the Cinder-wella one.”

“Okay.” Steph helped her off the bed. Once they finished in the bathroom, and Maren was fully dressed, they got her treat.

But five minutes later, her eyes welled as she asked for her mommy again. Steph tried to distract her by saying, “Let’s color a picture for your mom, okay?”

Ten minutes later, Maren asked for her mom again.

“How about we make cookies for your mom?”

“Big ones?”

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