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Lexi and Rhea answered emphatically that yes, they would like a treat.
"Then come in!"
We stepped into the old trailer. She'd clearly put effort into sprucing the place up. It was spotless, with much of the clutter cleared away, leaving only cherished family photos—Elara, Michael, and her mom. There was something about the space that made me feel comforted and sad at the same time. The past always did that. Her dog, Anthony, came up to greet us, and the girls made a fuss of him.
We sat at the table and Elara brought over a tasty-looking pie. "Apple pie,” she sighed. “Nothing else really turned out so well." She shrugged. "But I can always count on old faithful."
The pie looked perfect.
"That smells incredible," I blurted out.
"It's my comfort bake," she explained, slicing into the golden crust. "I've been working on croquembouche, but I’m not seeing eye to eye with the caramel."
"You must really love baking," Lexi said, as Elara served her a generous wedge.
"I do! Whenever I'm stressed or need to clear my head, I bake. There's something about the process—the measuring, the mixing, the smell—it's calming. Except when it goes catastrophically wrong, normally when caramel’s involved."
"Wow," I murmured, taking a bite. The buttery crust melted on my tongue, giving way to the tangy sweetness of the apples and cinnamon. It was unreasonably good. "This might just be the best thing I've ever eaten."
The girls, their faces smeared with apple and cinnamon, agreed. "Miss Elara, this is amazing!" they exclaimed between mouthfuls. "It tastes like happiness."
"Thanks, guys," she replied, beaming at them.
"Hey, Elara," Rhea piped up, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "you should come to Uncle Jack's beach barbecue! You can bring pie!"
"Girls, I don't think—" I began, but Lexi cut me off.
"Yeah! It would be so much fun! Please say you'll come."
"It's too last minute," I insisted.
"Actually," Elara said, with a shy smile, "Ida already invited me. And I said yes.” She shot me what I think was an apologetic look.
"Right,” I said, clearing my throat. “That’s cool.”
Cool? Who did I think I was, Bart Simpson?
"Yay!" Rhea and Lexi cheered, wrapping their arms around Elara's waist.
I forced a smile, trying to ignore the sudden tightness in my stomach. What did it matter if she was coming to the beach barbecue? We were adults. I could handle spending time with her without getting entangled in anything romantic.
That condom in my pocket? It’d sit there doing nothing until it finally expired, taking me with it.
CHAPTER NINE
Elara
What even was a family barbecue?
I know it sounded ridiculous, but I could honestly say I'd never been to one. Ever.
Dad was an only child. No aunts, uncles, or cousins to speak of. His parents passed away young. Mom's family was scattered across the country and losing her when I was so little meant I never really got to know them. Sure, my grandma still sent a Christmas card each year with a crisp five-dollar bill and a gentle reminder to attend church, but that was the extent of my familial ties.
I think that was why getting ready for Jack's celebration felt like such a monumental task. It shouldn't have been a big deal, but to me, it meant the world. Ida's invitation had warmed my heart, even if it was just a polite gesture. But more than that, it was Cole's daughters' eager insistence that I attend that truly touched me.
When Rhea invited me, I swear my heart turned to goo.
Lexi and Rhea were such sweethearts, full of fun, brimming with confidence, and clearly wonderful companions to each other. It said a lot about Cole and Stephanie that the girls were so well-adjusted despite the challenges of the divorce.
