“Which is undecided as of right now.” Josie interjects.
“Correct.” I agree pointing at her, then I turn back to Harps. “So, yeah. We’re all wanting to see where this goes, and as things get more serious then we’ll sit down and talk about next steps. Like telling Shiloh, becauseHayes is still so young so he won’t really understand that anything would be different.”
The room is silent, with each passing second my heart begins to pick up in pace as I wait for Harper to say anything. Thankfully she doesn’t keep us waiting long before a huge grin spreads across her face and she claps her hands in front of her.
“That isamazing. I fully support this.” She tells us, as she gets up and hugs me then Josie.
Conversation flows smoothly as we settle in for another movie, but we don’t pay attention to what’s happening on the tv. The night becomes later and the conversation begins to slow down, that is until Josie adds.
“So, how has Dalton been doing?” Josie asks, there’s a hint of concern in her voice, but honestly he’s still on my shit list despite what he’s going through.
Harper fills her cheeks with air before slowly blowing it out before she answers. “He’s not doing the greatest.”
“Good.” I mumble.
“Evie!” Josie breathes.
“What? He hurt my friend, he deserves a little struggle.” I give a little shrug as I take a handful of popcorn and shove it in my mouth before I say something worse. It does suck what happened to him, but that’s what you get when you knock up a pick me girl.
“Still. There’s a baby involved Evie, the first year is hard enough even when you have support and a partner at home to help. I can’t even imagine doing it on my own.” Josie says in a soft stern tone. She wasn’t saying it to scold me, but to give me another perspective.
She’s right though– obviously. Being a single parent and working must suck.
“Sorry.” I tell her, and she nods her head and places her hand on my thigh and squeezes. “HowisDalty boy?” I ask Harper.
She tells us how he’s been struggling. They’ve helped out when they can, in the form of taking Elodie, Dalton’s daughter, a couple nights a week so he can try and get a good night’s rest.Surprisingly, Xavier’s parents completely cut Chloe out after she left. Penelope was horrified when Dalton shared the news on a Sunday dinner when he walked through the door in sweatpants and a shirt that looked like it had multiple puke stains on it. Xavier’s dad was the one who made the cut, Harper said that she had never seen him so mad.
Unsurprisingly, Dalton’s mom was no help. She doesn’t see anything wrong in what Chloe did, and apparently grilled Dalton on why he couldn’t keep her attention. Judith apparently still has lunch with Chloe weekly, and keeps trying to get Dalton to give her another chance.
“God, Judith is the fucking worst.” I snap. “I’m sorry but how can you still go to lunch with that wench and then tell your son to take her back. I would’ve punched her.”
“Trust me. If I was there when she said that I’m sure I would have.” Harper says. “Anyway, that’s actually where I’m going tomorrow is to pick up Elodie and take her for the rest of the weekend. Maybe on Sunday we can meet up and get the babies together for a play date?”
“Absolutely! Come on over after lunch. Hayes has his afternoon nap around one p.m., but I can set up the pack and play in Shiloh’s room for Elodie for when she goes down too.” Josie replies, and stands up from the couch to stretch.
I follow suit, but I collect the bowl of popcorn and as many water bottles as I can in one hand before heading to the kitchen.
“She’s been teething, so here’s hoping she will actually nap.” Harper tells her.
“Oh poor thing.” Josie says, before she begins setting up the couch for Harper to sleep on. “I just need to grab you a pillow or two and then you’re all set.
“No, don’t set that up for me.” Harper tells her, grabbing one of the blankets and she begins to fold it.
“What do you mean there bestie?” I ask her. Where is she going to sleep? On the floor?
“I mean, I ordered a ride share and they’re currently waiting for me outside.” She makes her way over to me and gives me a hug and a kisson the cheek before hugging Josie. “I love you guys, but you don’t have Hayes tonight either. So take the time to dowhateveryou want without the fear of anyone hearing.” She pumps her eyebrows before blowing a kiss and leaving the house.
I laugh and shake my head.
“Well…” I say as I slowly walk toward Josie. “I guess we have the house to ourselves.”
A smile slowly spreads across her face as I close the distance between us.
“It appears so.” She says before leaning forward and pressing her lips to mine.
I inhale a breath through my nose as I cup her face with my hands and deepen the kiss.
Our movements become frantic as the realization that we’re alone, and there will be no crying babies to interrupt us. My hands skim down her curves until I’m at the hem of her shirt and I pull it up.
