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“No.”
“And?”
Tina throws her arms up in exasperation. “And what?”
“Come on, this is like, our two month anniversary, we deserve details.”
Tina scoffs. “Ah, no, you don’t. It’s not personal. I love you girls, I really do. But I don’t wanna talk about it.”
“Okay, fine,” Tink huffs. “We’ll dropthat. But no to the dating?”
“No to the dating. I don’t have the time. I don’t have the inclination. Men suck more than ass sweat in August. Plus, I can’t very well drag my baby around to dates, can I?”
“Well, actually.” I look up nervously. “I’d be honored if you’d consider letting me babysit.”
Her blue eyes pop wide with surprise. “Oh, no, I couldn’t–”
“Honestly, it’d be my pleasure. I know what it’s like to be alone in this world. To want to find your village. You can trust us. We want to be your village, Tina, and we’d never betray you. She’d be safe with me.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you… I couldn’t impose on you like that.”
“It wouldn’t be an imposition. It’d be the same as me offering to look after Bean. And I really hope that happens a lot, too.”
Tina looks between me and Iz. “But why?” she pleads desperately. “You don’t know me. Why do you want to help me?”
“We don’tneedsomething in return,” Tink answers with a frown. “Unlike whoever hurt you, whatever we do, it’s all no strings attached. We like you and Evie. We’re good people and we’re good friends. The best. We love fiercely. And once you’re in, you’re in. Don’t you feel the connection? You’re practically one of us.”
Tina’s eyes mist as she blinks furiously to clear them. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I didn’t mean to imply… Yeah, I do.” She takes a deep breath and meets my eyes. “I do feel it. That’s why we’re here.” She points at the table between us. “I don’t dothis. I don’t brunch and hang out. I have a daughter to feed, and a business to make successful. I need step two just so I don’t screw up step one; feed my daughter. This is the first thing we’ve done, literally, the first social thing we’ve done, in a year. But we’re here today because I feel it. You girls might just be my people.” Her lip wobbles. “I’ll tell you everything. One day. But that day’s not today. We’ve been hurt really bad, and I’m terrified of making a wrong step. I won’t let my baby hurt again. I feel like every moment, every decision I make, could change our lives for the worst. I’m so scared to fail her.”
Izzy leans forward and takes Tina’s hand. “Have you stopped to think that every decision you make could change your lives, but for the better? We’re good allies, Tina.”
“Give us a chance,” Tink adds.
“Just be our friend. Trust us.” I wait for her eyes to meet mine. “We’ll never hurt you. If there’s nothing else in this world you know as truth, know that. We won’t hurt you.”
She nods and drags her hand gently back. “Okay.”
“Any one of us would be happy and willing, and reasonably competent,” I add with a laugh, “to babysit for you. You don’t have to go on a date, just start with a massage, or shopping, or a coffee alone. Just call us. Any of us. But me first, since it was my idea and I really wanna.”
“Alright. I will. Thank you.”
“Awesome. Now that that’s cleared up…” Tink laughs. “We know loads of guys. I mean,theyown a gym full of sexy fighters.”
“Idon’t own a gym!” I don’t even know why my face flushes with warmth. “Bobby does.”
“She’s married totheBobby Kincaid – you saw him at the wedding, right? Sexy as fu… focaccia…” She shoots a wary glance toward an oblivious Evie. “And she–” She points at Izzy. “Shouldbe married to his sexy brother, the guy who taught your angel to swear.”
“Jimmy?” Tina chokes on her water. “What?”
“No.” Izzy shakes her head and sits back. “This conversation’s not happening. No way.”
Tink purses her lips obnoxiously. “Iz and Jimmy have been in love since they were kids. She grew up with that group of hotties.”
Tina’s wide eyes study Iz’s belly. “Is that Jimmy’s baby?”
“No, it’s not,” Tink answers for her. “Our baby girl made a mistake and got knocked up elsewhere.”
“Did you cheat on him?”
