Remi:He’s being weird and we have a theory
I stare at that last message for a second too long.Weird. That’s definitely one word for it.
Me:I am not your guinea pig in heels
Frankie:No, you’re right.
Frankie:You’re our bunny in heels
Remi:Your carriage awaits at 8, bb!
I snort under my breath. Suspicious, that’s what they are. Suspicious in the way women get when they suspect something but haven’t quite said it out loud yet. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.
Elle’s in the living room when I glance over, parading carefully across the rug in my silver heels and a princess crown.
“Look, Penny, they make me taller than you!”
“That is factually incorrect,” I reply as I move toward her.
She wobbles as soon as she turns, and my hands come down automatically to settle at her waist.
“Small steps,” I murmur.
Her fingers curl into my shoulders, and I steady her without thinking. The warm weight of her leans into me, and for a split second, an old memory brushes against the edges of the moment.
My mom crouched in front of me, her hands at my hips. The way she’d laugh when I’d wobble and try to stride ahead anyway. It’s not as vivid as it used to be, but the feeling is still there. The gentle, familiar tug. I let it sit in me for a moment and smile softly.
Elle takes another careful step and beams at me.
“You’re amazing,” I tell her.
“I know,” she says, completely serious.
I laugh and press a quick kiss to her hair before guiding her back toward the couch to swap the heels for socks and turn on an episode ofScience with Dahlia.
When I return to the stove, my phone buzzes again, and my stomach reacts to his name before the rest of me catches up, which feels deeply unhelpful.
Evan:You guys eating at home?
I lean against the counter, thumbs hovering. It’s such a normal question, but none of this feels normal.
Me:Yep. Just cooking. Your child has been aggressively supervising my spaghetti bolognese.
There’s a pause, and I picture him wherever he is—maybe wiping down the truck, maybe halfway through equipment checks. Maybe he’s just back from a call with all the station noise around him.
Evan:Good luck with that. Don’t let her boss you around
Me:Too late, I’ve lost control of the household
A beat passes, then three dots appear, and my mouth tips at the corner despite myself.
Evan:Only took you about two months
Me:In my defense she’s extremely persuasive
Evan:She learned from you
I snort softly under my breath.
