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She inhales and switches her piping back to a silvery gray. This cake is going to be beautiful. “I know you hate it, but you might have to just tell him he has to.”
I sigh. “I know. I just… everything is going so well.”
“Is it?” I feel her judgment whether she means for me to or not.
“You’re the one who told me not to worry about the future.”
“Is Clayton a kid you still have in the future?”
“Laurel.” I groan, understanding what she’s saying. “I can feel that Ben wants to get that ball rolling too.”
“Clayton wants to protect you, and probably himself too. His deadbeat dad abandoned him before he was even born. Although Clayton never met him, it must hurt. Ben left you once before, so he wants to protect you from that happening again. But at some point, Clayton has to see that Ben makes you happy, that you’ve forgiven Ben, and that Ben feels remorse for what happened. That’s what Clayton needs to move forward.”
I nod, agreeing with everything she says.
“He’s a good kid. You raised him well. Would you rather have a kid who didn’t care? He just needs a little kick in the ass. And then you can be one big happy family.”
I think back to my conversation with Ben. “He asked me if I wanted more kids.”
She gives me one of her swoony smiles. “And?”
“I told him yeah.”
“Are you going to wait to tell Clayton until you’re in labor with his new baby brother or sister?”
I pick up an icing tool and toss it at her. It falls to the floor.
“Now you have to wash it,” she says.
Rounding the table, I pick it up and go over to the sink.
“And the bar exam?” This is Laurel. Miss Don’t Think About the Future, but…
“The results haven’t come in yet, but I’m not sure what my plan is.” I dry the utensil and put it back on the tray before sitting on the stool, watching her work. I’m amazed by my best friend’s craftsmanship. “Ben said he’d move anywhere I want to go.”
The icing bag slips from her hand, but she grabs it before it falls to the table. “Seriously?”
I nod.
“That’s a good thing.”
“It is.”
She studies me for a second. “Then why don’t you look happy?”
“I don’t want to take him away from his family again. I’m not even sure I want to leave now. I mean, everything, other than the Clayton thing, is going so great. Ben’s enjoying coaching. He said he could find another coaching job, but can he? I think there’s something special about him coaching the Wildcats.”
Laurel puts down the icing bag and sits on the stool next to me. “You love Ben. So, you want him to be happy.”
I nod.
“But he already lived his dream, Gill. He went off and got to be a professional football player. Maybe Ben’s dream now is just to have you in his life. This is your chance. Your chance to make your dream come true.”
I understand what she’s saying. “I love Ben. I love Clayton. I love Bruce, Jude, and Emmett. I love everyone in town. Bruce helped me when I had no one to turn to when it came to Clayton. How do I take his son from him after he just got him back?”
She nods, understanding my predicament. “I don’t want you to sacrifice any more. You worked hard to get your law degree, and believe me, I want you here, but what I want is for you to make your dream come true.” She squeezes my hand, rises, and goes to the other side of the table to finish her cake.
The bell rings, and I head out into the shop to help the customer.
