“I said, hold on to the headboard,” he repeats.
“Why?” I ask.
“Because you’re going to need something to hold on to while you fuck my face.”
“Mia, Drew, your drinks are ready.” Setting down the iced vanilla latte and a coffee with cream at the pickup counter, I exhale as the last of my orders for the morning rush are finished.
“Thanks, Rumi,” Mia says, grabbing her coffee as Drew gives me a smile and grabs hers. They’re both in athletic wear, out for a walk and on their way to meet Annie for her lunch break.
Chatting with them has become a weekly routine when they stop in, and it’s nice to feel like my roots here in Milwaukee have solidified as more friendships bloom.
“Luke mentioned that Sadie was working out well for Evee? I’m glad I finally annoyed you enough to take my list of babysitters.” Mia smiles before taking a sip of her coffee.
“Oh, she’s the older sister of one of my old students. She’s great,” Drew adds as I cap my Sharpie, putting it in the pocket of my apron.
“Evee loves her. I’m so sad her schedule won’t be as open now that her college courses start at the end of the month, but she’s been such a big help this summer,” I tell the girls.
“And how did your meeting with your agent go yesterday?” Mia asks, tucking a piece of her blonde hair behind her ears. “Did you decide on your title?”
“We’re officially waiting for the final proof ofThe Rainbow of Emotions,” I announce with pride, gaining smiles from both Drew and Mia who have been nothing but supportive since hearing about my new,potentialcareer change. “With Emerson’s new rendition of Callista the Chameleon, everything is finally feeling complete,” I tell them.
I never thought I’d get used to having such a big circle of people interested in what I’m up to and happy for my success. The last month of meeting Lauren at the library and then meeting with her—and my—agent, Joanna, has been such a whirlwind I never expected.
But between the help of my friends, Sadie with Evee, and Jack’s constant support whenever I need him, I finally understand why they say it takes a village—not just with raising a child, but going through life.
I don’t know why I ever wanted to do it alone.
I think it would’ve been possible, but I just don’t think it’s what life is meant to be like.
“You should be so proud,” Drew says, her green eyes shining, contrasting against her red wine hair. “We can’t wait to get the girls and Knox a copy. You’ll have to sign them for us too.”
“Oh! And I’m sure Annie would love to throw you a release party here. And you have Ava to handle all the party planning,” Mia adds, having begged Ava to plan her twin’s birthday party back in June.
I can’t help but laugh, my cheeks blushing at their excitement for me. I’m about to tell them how I don’t want to get too excited—there’s still a lot up in the air, and I shouldn’t be getting my hopes up yet—but there’s a part of me that instead decides to say, “I can’t wait.”
After Mia and Drew leave, the next hour of my shift drags, causing my mind to wander back to my night with Jack, wishing that our nights together weren’t so few and far between.
Leaving my toothbrush there and a change of clothes is a promise for more nights and mornings together, but it’s only been a day since waking up with Jack, and it already feels like an eternity.
My lease with Ava is up next month, and we are set on renewing it because how nice it is to live in the duplex and be just across the street from Hey Honey’s. The house I brought Evee home to from the hospital, the place I found my best friend—the place where I healed into a better version of myself, themeI didn’t even realize I was capable of being.
But maybe it’s time to move forward.
I don’t want to go back to staying because it’s comfortable or because I’m too scared to find out if the grass is greener on the other side.
I want to continue to heal and grow.
And I want to do it while going to sleep, wrapped in Jack’s arms, and wake up to find his lazy smile and sleepy, green eyes before grabbing Evee to snuggle between us.
“Hi, pretty girl.” The voice pulls me from my thoughts, and it’s like my mind summoned him here.
“Hey, firefighter,” I say as Jack leans over the counter, pressing a kiss to my lips. Dressed in his black station wear that hugs his strong frame, he leans back, crossing his arms as he asks me about my morning so far. His easy, grounded confidence is something that was missing the first time he walked into Hey Honey’s, but he’s a new man compared to then.
He looks so sure of himself, like he’s exactly where he needs to be. His radio is strapped to his belt, the one he’s responsible for now as interim Fire Lieutenant before he’s officially promoted.
“I wanted to come see you while we were out for the grocery run,” Jack explains, and I look over his shoulder to see Anderson waving from the truck parked in the lot. “And see if maybe I could come by after I’m done with my shift tomorrow? There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Oh?” I say, and the lack of anxiety surprises me. I expected to feel my smile drop, or my mind try to conjure up everything I’ve done wrong, but there’s nothing.
