AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It will. We’re going to be great co-parents.”
“Are you planning on living together forever?”
I find myself back at the cheese station and grab four more pieces. “We decided we’re gonna live together until it doesn’t work.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means if we start to feel like it isn’t healthy for us to live together, then we’ll live separately.” Cora’s harrumph on the other end stirs my curiosity. “What?”
“I don’t know,” she says. “It already feels wrong imagining you two not living together.” She’s not alone in that feeling.
“Well, I’m not planning on moving out, so it’s unnecessary to worry.”
“I know,” she says. “I’m just a little extra worried about a lot of things right now.”
That has my focus shifting. “Like what?”
“Like I’m worried I might not carry to full term,” she says solemnly, and I get it. She’s been battling depression and PTSD. She’s had various forms of grief to work through and it’s totally natural for her to have this worry. I haven’t been through half of what she has, but my heart sinks with hers.
“I know. I’ve been worried about that for both of us.”
“I’ve been trying to stay positive and talk to my therapist about it.”
“That’s good, Cora. It sounds like you’re feeling your feelings, acknowledging them, but trying to see a positive future too. I should keep reminding myself to do the same.”
“I’m so glad we’re doing this together, Ang. I feel so much closer to you for it.” Tears prick at my eyes as Cora’s sentiment hits me hard.
No, do not cry in Wegmans, I think to myself.
Too late.
“I’m so grateful for you, Cora. If we can’t have our moms by our sides for this, then I’m glad I have you.”
“Shut up, you’re making me cry.”
I wipe the tear streak from my face with the back of my hand. “We were laughing like two minutes ago, what the fuck?”
“Okay, okay,” my bestie inhales raggedly, trying to calm herself down. “Let’s change the subject. Have you thought of any names?”
Centering myself to answer her question, I inhale along with her. “Yeah. Raf likes the name Chlamydia, and I thought it was a joke at first, but I think he might be serious.”
“No, he doesn’t,” she chuckles in disbelief.
Knowing Cora is smiling makes me do the same. “He also suggested Olbric, but I had to veto because that’s the name of my favorite sex wizard, and I refuse to let him take away the ability to read my favorite erotic fantasy series.”
“Yes,” she hums. “A very reasonable explanation indeed.”
When I turn another corner, I find Rafael in the health and beauty aisle looking at something. As I take my first steps in his direction, the woman standing behind him with a store basket in the crook of her arm, comes up to his side and places her hand gently on his exposed bicep.
And I…see…red.
She’s slim and blonde and so fucking pretty I could scream. She’s exactly the type of woman Raf usually goes for.
My eyes stay glued to the pair of them. “Cora, I’ll have to call you back. I love you.”
“Oh. Okay. Love you too.”
Before the call ends, I devise a half-baked plan, but I’m not entirely sure it’s me doing it.
