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“Don’t you want to join our club of motherhood?” I smile over at Blaire, who looks like she’d rather sit on a cactus.
“Uhhh, not yet. I’m still enjoying Jimmy just a little too much.”
“Eww, he’s still my brother, you know.” Harper grimaces, making us both laugh.
“Where’s Aspen? Is she coming?” I place my purse on the table and smile at the waitress as she places a mimosa down in front of me. “Thank you.”
“She said she can’t make it. I think she’s still settling into her new apartment,” Harper replies.
“Speaking of her new apartment, when is she having her housewarming party?” I ask before taking a long sip of my mimosa.
Blaire shrugs. “Probably soon. You know how much of a perfectionist she is. More importantly, how are things going with you and the job situation?” I glance over at Harper. “I filled her in already while we were waiting on you.”
“Great, so we all know Alex is babysitting me,” I say sarcastically. “But seriously, things seem to have quieted down on the threat front, which is why I still feel like Jameson was overreacting by assigning me one of his attack dogs. Although being a mom in New York, the security system does offer some serious peace of mind.”
“I don’t know how you went so long without one.” Harper shakes her head. “But how’s it going dealing with Alex? I know he can be such a flirt, but he’s pretty nice to look at.” She giggles and I can’t deny that she’s right.
“Heisabsolutely a flirt.” I roll my eyes but instantly wish I hadn’t said that when both women’s eyes grow wide and they beg for more details. “I just mean his stupid grin he flashes—as if my panties will drop and I’ll be all head over heels like the 22-year-olds he picks up. We started off on the wrong foot, too. He’s very demanding and you know I don’t take kindly to being told what to do by a man, but I think we’ve found common ground . . . for now.”
“Hmm, sounds like someone might think he’s cute and is bothered by that.” Blaire gives me a look and I shake my head.
“Not even close. I just like my private space, so having a big hulking man clomping around my home is very unappealing to me.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy his company, if you know what I mean.” Harper’s attempt at subtlety is about as successful as high heels in sand.
“I barely have time to eat and sleep outside of work and being a single mom, so I don’t have time to even think about entertaining a man.”
“Who said you need to entertain him? Just lie back and make him do the work,” Blaire says, causing both women to burst into laughter.
“You’re both bad influences, you know that? I’m pretty sure my vibrator hasn’t even held a charge in the last six months.” I sigh, realizing just how much I’ve neglected myself lately. “Damn, I really am pathetic.” No wonder I moaned like I was getting my rocks off when Alex ran his thumb up my neck. I quickly grab my drink, taking a long sip to try to douse the small fire I feel starting to burn in my belly remembering that moment.
“No, you’re not. You have a lot going on and you are the most amazing mom.” I open my mouth to refute that claim, but Blaire cuts me off. “And before you say some bullshit about how you aren’t, and that you’ve been too busy lately, I cannot tell you how much Chloe praises you. She knows what you’re doing for these people, Jules. She understands that it’s only for a short period and that it will be worth it because you’re going to change lives with your work. That kid admires you so much, and she talks about how she wants to be just like you when she gets older. I know I’m not a mom, but I was her age once, and I don’t know a lot of preteens who can honestly say that their mom is their best friend. So cut yourself some slack.”
I try to choke back the tears, but I’m unsuccessful. A few fall right down my cheeks as I wipe at them furiously. “Thank you.” I manage to choke out the words as both of my friends envelop me in a hug.
After brunch, I swing by the children’s museum where Chloe has been attending a class on women in STEM. Any chance that girl can learn, she jumps at it.
“So,” I say, draping my arm over her as I hand her a croissant I brought from brunch, “what amazing women did you learn about today?”
“Did you know that women were a big reason we made it to the moon?” She launches into telling me all about Katherine Johnson and Margaret Hamilton as we walk the rest of the way back to our house.
“What’s that?” Chloe points to a simple black box with a white ribbon wrapped around it sitting in front of our stairs.
“I don’t know,” I say cautiously, my heart beginning to race when I think about the last time I found a strange box on my porch.
“Can I open it?”
“Oh, I think it’s probably the vitamins Ms. Garcia down the street said she would bring by.” I know it’s a lie, but it’s the only answer I can think of to make Chloe instantly uninterested in opening the package or asking me about it later . . . and it works.
“I’m gonna go research about NASA,” she says, opening the front door and flying up the stairs to her room.
I place the box on the kitchen counter, wondering if I should call Alex before opening it, but my curiosity gets the better of me and I slowly slide the ribbon from the box. I feel my breath catch in my throat as I lift the lid to find a delicate card sitting atop white tissue paper. I grab the card and read it:
For any other tension that might need help finding relief.
“Huh?” I drop the card on the counter and pull back the tissue, revealing a long pink vibrator.
My mouth falls open when I realize it’s from Alex. I go from embarrassed to intrigued to telling myself that this is avery, verybad idea to even entertain the thought of flirting with him. My phone rings, startling me, and I pull it out of my purse, not recognizing the number. Realizing it’s probably Alex since I never did program his number into my phone after he texted me, I slide my finger across the screen and answer it. He must have been watching my security cameras and saw me pick it up.
