AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After two days together, we should have been used to it, but Willow’s wail could wake the dead, and I twitched from my position on the couch, where I’d been sprawled out.
Laney snorted a laugh. “Maybe she’ll be a good singer when she’s older.”
Sam discreetly reached for the remote, raising the volume of theGolden Girlsepisode we were watching as Gem stood up.
But then Jason’s voice called down from upstairs. “Don’t move, Gemma! I got her!”
She plopped back down and offered me a sad smile. “Happy birthday.”
I waved my fork, covered in blue icing from the cake. “There’s never been a better one. I’m with my best friends, and I got the flower.”
Gem wrinkled her nose. Laney had bought the cake, and since it wasn’t vegan, Gem wasn’t eating it. Although she did have a very large stack of her own homemade cookies which were supposed to help her breastfeed, leaving her not completely without sweets.
But with Willow still crying upstairs, she pouted. “I’m sorry we aren’t out getting drunk or something,” she said, all forlorn. “I feel so old.”
“You kinda are.” Sam pointed the remote at her. “You’re a mom now.”
I agreed as a twinge of jealousy settled into my bones when Jason plodded down the stairs, his daughter wrapped up in a monkey print muslin blanket. He cringed at Gem while Willow cried against his shoulder. “I think she wants her mama.”
We all laughed, proving Sam’s point.
Jason Mitchell, Gem’s fiancé, was dressed casually in sweatpants and a T-shirt. He was a tall, muscular, preppy type and totally opposite of the guy I imagined wild child Gem would end up with, if any at all. But here she was, in a brand-new home with a beautiful, screeching baby.
Jason passed Willow off to Gem, asking, “Do you need anything? More water?” When she nodded, he grabbed her gigantic aluminum water bottle before pointing to the rest of us. “Ladies? Anything? More wine? Cake? Pretzels, chips?
Laney lifted her glass with a few drops of pink wine left in it. “I wouldn’t be opposed if you guys want to open another bottle.”
Sam and I both looked to each other and then shrugged. Jason took that as his answer. “’Nother bottle coming up.”
Sam settled her back against the couch. “This is great.”
Laney shifted over to comb her fingers through Sam’s rose-gold hair, separating it into three groups to braid. “What is?”
“This.” She gestured around the room.
“This?” Gem asked, popping out her boob to feed Willow.
A look of horror crossed Sam’s face. “No, not that. I mean…” She circled her arm again. “You built this whole family, and it’s really nice to be here.”
“I somehow convinced you three to stay in my house with my ten-week-old under the guise of Bronte’s birthday weekend, but really, it was so I could remember what thebeforetimes were like.” A ghost of a smile tugged at Gem’s lips. “Don’t lie and tell me you’re enjoying this tiny banshee.”
“I’m not lying. Being in this house is like living in a sign from Target, you know?” Sam lifted her hand as if reading it on the wall. “Love lives here.”
Gem mumbled out a, “Dork,” as she tamped down a smile.
“No, it’s true.” I placed my plate and fork on the table. Unlike Gem, who had been raised by a single mom, and Sam, who struggled with her parents’ divorce, I was really close to my siblings and parents, and I couldn’t want to have my own family. Everyone, including me, assumed I’d be the first out of our little friend group to do it. I was so happy for Gem and Jason, but I was also envious of what they’d built here.
“We should be out celebrating, but instead…” Gem trailed off, adjusting her hold on Willow.
I flicked the thought away. “We had our spa day and went out to dinner last night. I’m having fun with my girls here.”
Willow whimpered as if to sayMe too!and we all laughed.
Jason reappeared from the kitchen, carrying a bottle of wine and Gem’s water bottle, which he gave to her first before refilling all our wineglasses.
“We even have our own handsome butler.” Laney lifted her wine in a salute.
“Pleasure to be of service.” Jason grinned then plopped down next to Gem, dropping an arm around her shoulders.
