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She giggles. It’s such an odd sound out of her. Lily Olson—MacMillan now—has always been the serious, sardonic one of my friends that I could go to for advice. After her restaurant burned down and she nannied for two of my students, she and their father fell madly in love. It’s been fast, but I have never seen her as happy as she is with Cormac. “I guess I am glowing. He says it, too.”
“Well, he’s right. How was the honeymoon?”
“Amazing. I have not spent that much time out of clothes in my life.”
“You’re trying to make me jealous.”
“Is it working?”
I laugh. “A little. It’s so weird—Cormac seems so straight-laced.” His whole family does.
“What’s the guy version of, A lady in the streets, but a freak in the bed?”
That earns a snort-laugh out of me. “Wow, really?”
She bobs her head and her brunette bun doesn’t even budge. I don’t know how she does it. “Yeah. He’s amazing.”
“You said that already.”
“Can’t help it. I’m still amazed by my husband.” She takes a breath and sighs. “How are you? How’s Owen?”
“Today was a little crazy, but otherwise good. Nothing big, just burned toast, chicken nuggets for breakfast, and forgotten shoes. Twice.”
“Oh, the poor guy.”
“Half of that was me.”
She laughs. “Mornings are not easy. Franny and Aiden love Billingsley, but they really should do something about the start time for school. Every study shows kids are not morning people, and they test better later in the day.”
“You’re reading studies now?”
“I want to be the best stepmom I can be to those two, so yeah. I’m trying to keep up with all of that.”
“Wow. That’s awesome. I’m proud of you, Lily.” To go from reluctant nanny and chef to this is quite a jump. But I can’t say I’m too surprised. She’s always been driven.
“Thanks. Aside from this morning, how are things? I feel like we haven’t talked in ages.”
“Because we haven’t. I have been so busy with work that I don’t hardly see Owen, and we live together, so don’t feel bad about that. Um, things are okay, I guess. Work is good—not too much drama there. Just a lot to do.”
She tips her head to the side. “You know there is more to life than work and your kid, right?”
Here we go. “I am not interested in dating, Lily. Owen is all the guy I need in my life right now.”
“He’s a great kid, don’t get me wrong. But he’s not the same thing as having someone in your life romantically. Besides, wasn’t it you who told me you miss sex?” She’s not wrong.
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6
Aria
I sigh. “Well yeah, okay, I miss sex. But at what cost? As much as I miss it, it can have dire repercussions, and I love Owen and I’m sure he’d want a sibling, but I’m not ready for another kid.”
“There are ways around that, you know.”
“Yes, and I used a condom with his father while I was on birth control, and Owen is still here, so I’m not betting on that again. As far as alternatives go, they’re not for me. No judgment on whoever takes them, it’s just not something I could do.”
She shrugs. “I get that. Sounds like your bets were pretty well-hedged the night you conceived.”
