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Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears as her heart swelled. She’d grown up thinking her father didn’t want her, but she was so wrong. Unfortunately, Skylar wouldn’t be that lucky. She blinked rapidly as her vision became blurry.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Tom held her hand as his brow wrinkled.
“I just wish Skylar could know her father, but he’s a selfish jerk.” She sniffed and wiped her nose.
Tom squeezed her hand tightly, and he looked her in the eyes. “One day you’ll meet someone who’s worthy of the both of you. Until then, you have us.”
Leila was still in a daze as she forced herself through the door of the local diner exactly at nine a.m.How could her mother ask her to be with a man who was as selfish as Ben? She didn’t need a man. She and Sky would be just fine.
A shout of her name pulled Leila from her thoughts. It was Jessica and Elizabeth. She felt the stress that took up residence in her muscles from talking with her mom, melt away as she approached the table. Here was another reason she was glad she and Skylar were making a life in this town. She already had an amazing group of friends.
“Good morning,” Leila said as she pulled out a chair. "You look excited, Liz. Is something important going on today?"
Elizabeth’s eyes shone with happiness. “Oh, you know. Nothing important. Just my wedding day." She moved her phone from the table. "We ordered you coffee and water.”
Just then the server greeted Leila with a smile and offered her a menu.
Leila waved it off and ordered French toast and bacon. That and a bowl of fresh fruit was always her go-to breakfast when she ate here.
“So, are you ready for today?” Leila asked Elizabeth as she picked up her mug of coffee. The lump in her chest started to melt away. This distraction was what she needed.
Elizabeth beamed and Jessica, her best friend and maid of honor, laughed. “She hardly slept all night, nerves and pre-wedding jitters. I don’t know how we’re going to make it through the day.”
“I haven’t been that bad,” Elizabeth cut in. “I slept at least two hours.”
Leila chuckled. “Well. Desiree told me to let you know that everything will be set up and ready. She and I have the desserts under control. As soon as I leave here, I’m heading to the bakery to help her. We’ll be set up and ready for the wedding by three, and the caterer will be there by four.”
A smile filled Elizabeth’s face. “Just wait till you see Grant. His little tux is so adorable. He looks just like a mini version of his daddy.”
Grant was Elizabeth and Brady’s two-year-old son. Leila knew him well from volunteering in the church’s nursery on Sunday mornings. “I’m sure he’ll look adorable. I’m going to take pictures and let Skylar see how cute he was when his parents got married. You know I’m already prearranging her marriage to him.”
Jessica let out a loud laugh. “You never know, maybe one day Chad and I will have a little girl and she’ll want to be with Grant.”
“Okay, you two.” Elizabeth pushed her food around on her plate. “He’s two, Skylar’s only a few months, and your baby”—she turned to Jessica—“isn’t even made yet, so let’s not rush our kiddos. I think their mothers rushed things enough as it is.”
“True that.” Leila held up her water. “Let’s have a toast. To Elizabeth and Brady. I hope your love lasts forever.”
They all clinked their water glasses.
“Hear, hear,” responded Jessica.
The girls continued eating in silence until their plates were cleaned.
“Now I need to get to the bakery. Are there any last-minute instructions you need me to deliver to Desiree?” Leila asked as she grabbed the server’s attention for the bill.
Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip and her eyes went to the ceiling. “Nope.” She shook her head. “I think she has all the instructions she needs. Just make sure to be there by three.”
"Not a problem." Leila grabbed her purse and pulled out some bills. “I talked to Desiree last night. She was staying with that guy she’s been seeing and mentioned if she wasn’t at the bakery by the time I got there, I needed to call her.” She took a final sip of her water. “I’m sure I’ll need to call her. When they’re together, she tends to lose track of time. I can’t tell what she sees in him, but what I do know, I can’t stand. He seems like a totally egotistical ass and reminds me so much of Skylar’s dad. Everything is about money and him.”
Jessica nodded. “Yeah, well, Desiree has some daddy issues she needs to deal with but compared to some of her choices in men over the past years, Adler is really calm.”
“That’s good to know, but I think Desiree needs to shoot a little higher. Adler seems like a jerk, and he sure isn’t the settling down type.”
“I’m not sure Desiree is looking to settle down. I think she just wants the fun,” shrugged Elizabeth.
“You’re probably right. But when I finally settle down, whenever that is, the man I choose will see a woman as someone to treat right and hold above all else. He’s going to be a caring, hardworking, and church-going guy who loves me unconditionally, and accepts Sky as his own.”
“He sounds perfect, and I hope one day you find exactly what you’re looking for. You deserve it, and love is so worth it.” replied Elizabeth, her face shining.
