Page 12 of Finding Home

“Harper, uh...do you want us to call anyone?” Bree's hand is warm on my back, and I’m impressed at her calmness and lack of repulsion at my bodily fluids seeping onto her floor. My first thought is to call Shaina, but I quickly shut that down. She has been struggling so bad lately, and I can’t stand the thought of bothering her, or her feeling obligated to be there to watch me bring my daughter into the world when she just buried hers.

“No, my car is out front. I’ll just head to the hospital.”

“Like hell you are.”

“Oh, that sounds like a good plan.” Both responses come at once, one from Bree, the other from the pale-faced girl at the counter.

“Chelsea, please call Tonya and ask her to come in. Can you watch the shop until she gets here or should we close up?”

“I can manage, you two just go,” Chelsea calls, backing away from us, and this time, I do snort out a laugh.

Bree chuckles alongside me and starts guiding me out the door. “We can take my car,” she offers.

“I already christened your shop floor. I don’t think we need to add your car to the list of places I leaked on. Here are the keys to my car.” Bree takes them and we head to the hospital.

Bree stayed with me the whole time, holding my hand as I brought Lizzie into the world. The emotional letdown post-birth came with me pouring out my whole story to her.

She didn’t flinch, didn’t pity me, just held my hand and said, “Fuck ‘em. Fuck all of them!” Reminding me so much of Cass. “You have a beautiful baby girl now, and I promise to supply you with all the pastries and coffee you ever want.”

That was that. We became sisters and have been by each other’s side ever since.

Bolstered by her support, I let out a big sigh. “I almost met someone today.”

“What?” She gasps dramatically.

“He’s only in town for work. His company is actually doing the renovations for the shopping strip on Elm.” She nods, waiting for me to continue. “Bree, he’s gorgeous, like dampen your panties gorgeous. Blue eyes, brown hair, with tattoos.” She moans along with me at the description, but I know it doesn’t do him justice. “For the first time in a long time, I wanted something with someone, but then I looked back at my stellar track record of relationships and just couldn’t let myself take that chance. Lizzie needs me whole and present.”

“No, Lizzie needs you to be happy and fulfilled. You work yourself to death, doing everything for her. No one would fault you for finding your own pleasure.”

“Well, he’s only here to get the project started, then he’s leaving, so there’s no point.”

“Huh, I can think of a few points, if he’s as hot as you say.” We laugh, and my heart already feels lighter.

“Oh, speaking of Bobo the sperm donor,” I add, remembering my call with Cass.

Bree recoils, scrunching her pert little nose. “Ew, do we have to?”

“I was talking with Cass yesterday, and apparently, her mom called her so excited to drop some fresh gossip. Seems he showed up at an event last week drunk off his ass, rambling about the pressure on him from his in-laws. How no one understands the stress he’s under and the demands being placed on him. His wife just stood there looking mortified over the whole thing.”

“Yikes.”

“Oh, there’s more.” Bree pulls her feet onto her chair and leans forward, primed for all the dirt. “He spotted my aunt there and made a beeline for her. Started asking where I moved to, how my kid was, did I have a boy or girl, how old the kid was. When she said she wasn’t sure, he got all worked up, demanding she call and find out, and he even asked for my number. He was so belligerent that security had to escort him out of the gala. It was quite the spectacle, if my aunt's recount can be trusted.”

“His poor wife. Gah, can you imagine being married to that tool?”

“No kidding. I’m so glad things didn’t work out with him. It’s kinda creepy that he suddenly was talking about me after all this time. For once, I’m glad my family doesn’t give a shit about my life and couldn’t give him details about Lizzie. Even if it was only due to being drunk, it’s wild that he thought he had any right to know anything about us after ignoring our existence for five years.”

“Absolutely! What a douche.” Bree shakes her head, toasting me before taking a huge gulp of her wine and deadpans, “How much do you want to bet your blue-eyed dream boat’s junk is twice the size of Curtis’s?”

Of course, she says that right as I take a drink. The unexpected comment causes an uncontrollable laugh to burst free and wine to pour out of my nose.

She has a good laugh at my expense before we move on to plans for the fair tomorrow. Saturday is loud and busy, and last year, it overwhelmed Lizzie, but Sunday is more lowkey. Lots of kids’ events, and a town dance to cap it off. Lizzie loves that part, so I planned our massage booth to only be on Saturday, that way I could be with her all day. Wren will sell products and discounted bookings, but the booth will be closed by four, so she can have fun and join the revelry, too.

Bree stays another hour before heading off with plans to meet up at the festival. It felt good telling her about Jace. It’s a silly crush, but it’s also the first time in so long that anyone has sparked my interest. Of course, he’s only in town for a short while, and nothing can happen, but it woke something in me that I had given up on—hope. Hope that maybe, someday, I will find someone to share my life with.

Crawling into bed, my mind goes back to my time with Jace. Watching him in the competition, the feel of his hard muscles under my hands, his intense stare that made me feel like I was the only person around. My core tightens with need, wetness pooling. Knowing I won’t be able to sleep like this, I snake one hand up under my shirt, teasing and twisting my nipples until they are both hard peaks. Picturing Jace’s mouth on them, sucking and biting. Closing my eyes, I give in to the fantasy of him, here in my bed. Body poised above me, his mouth tasting and taking what he wants.

Reaching into my nightstand, pulling out lube and my favorite vibrator, I settle in for some self-care. It’s been a while since I used this, and the way I’m already on fire from just some nipple play tells me it has been too long. Settling back, I press the power button.