Well, I wasn't exactly up close and personal with—it.But I'd sure gotten an eyeful.That was for sure.
And how in the world could I look—him—in the eye again?After watching him with Eve?And him actually knowing that I watched him fuck his best friend's wife?
This was really going to be weird.
But—there was no avoiding them.Not with all of us living in the same house for the foreseeable future.This was going to suck.
Big time.
I picked out a lovely flowy sundress and some pretty white sandals.And then—I took a deep breath and headed downstairs.
The kids were nowhere to be seen.I was starting to miss them.Especially Dani.Plus, having them around would be a great distraction.And an even greater excuse not to have any deep conversations with anyone.
I walked into the kitchen and saw Eve and Giselle.“I've told you a billion times to go sit down.I can handle this.Do I need to call your husband over here?”Eve gave Giselle heck.
Giselle sighed and turned around.“Oh, hi, Francesca,” she said, seemingly surprised to see me.“Good morning.How did you sleep?”
Eve poked her in the arm with her elbow.“You're rambling.”
Giselle glanced at her friend and then back at me.“Sorry, I'm a little tired today.And hungry.”She gave me a smile.
“How are you feeling?And Eve's right, you should sit down,” I said sympathetically.
“I know, I know.”Giselle nodded her head and started walking toward the table.“That's all I hear all freaking day long.Sit down, Giselle.But don't forget to stand up so you don't get blood clots.Lay down and rest, Giselle.Your legs are swollen, Giselle.How are you feeling, Giselle?”She let out an exasperated sigh.“I've had enough of this.”
I debated whether I should follow Giselle to the table—or go help Eve in the kitchen.
I chose the path of least resistance and followed Giselle.Yes, I'd watched her husband fuck her best friend.But at least I hadn't seen her breasts—like I had Eve's.
“Do you want me to sit with you?”I asked, partially hoping she'd say she'd rather be alone.Then I'd have an excuse not to talk.I turned my head to see the men outside on the patio.They seemed deep in conversation.
“You don't have to.”She lowered herself carefully onto the chair.“But I'd really like the company.Eve's all bossy.All she does is yap at me about things I can't do.And things I can do.And things I should be doing but don't want to.”Her face looked a little puffy this morning.Her eyes, too.
Hmm.
“Are you checking your protein levels daily?”I asked because I didn't like what I was seeing.Those could be signs of something bad.
Giselle rolled her eyes.“Yes, the doctor back home gave me a load of those dipstick thingies.”
I nodded and apologized.“Okay, good.I'm sorry for asking, you just had me a little concerned.”
Her puffy eyes narrowed at me.“Why?”she asked, tilting her head slightly in question.
I didn't want to explain.And I knew she might get more ticked off at me than she already was—but I still owed it to her.This was her health, after all.“Your face and eyes are a little puffy.And yesterday they weren't.It's just something to keep an eye on.Do you have a blood pressure machine?”
She nodded and bit her lip, looking a bit sheepish all of a sudden.“Yeah, I take my blood pressure a few times a day.Eve makes sure of that.And my eyes are puffy because,” she lowered her voice, “I cried a little before I went to sleep.”
Now it was my turn to sigh.“I'm sorry.”I reached over and put my hand on hers.“I shouldn't pry.”
Then she looked down at our hands for a moment.“How did you know to ask me those questions?From working at the hospital?”She looked up.
I nodded and took my hand away.“Yeah, I did a short stint in labor and delivery.”
Giselle sat back in her chair and placed her hands on top of her belly.“Oh, wow.Did you like working at the hospital?”
I nodded.“I did.I mean, I liked the work, but I didn't like the pay.But you can't expect to make any real money without a degree,” I told her the truth.“I tried to pick up as many shifts as possible.It still wasn't enough, though.”
Giselle nodded slowly.“So, why did you quit?I mean, if you liked working there so much.”
