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For the first time in a long time, things feel good.
Change is good.
Or so they say.
And I couldn't be happier right now.
7
Eden
The day of Blake’s party comes around too soon, and even though I’m an events planner for a living, you’d think I could coordinate my own daughter's birthday party. I’m seriously wishing I’d taken the day off and hired someone else so I could enjoy it.
Still, I put a lot of pressure on myself to make everything perfect.
Blake is an easy-going kid — some say she takes more after her father than she does me — whatever that’s supposed to mean.
I have just about everything organized and the barn looks amazing. We’ve decorated with gold themes, including balloons and streamers which Georgia and Callan’s little sister, Trudy, have spent most of yesterday and this morning putting together. I don’t know where I’d be without the two of them. Jodie has also been instrumental in keeping me awake with plenty of caffeine and pep talks along the way.
“She’s going to love it.” Georgia clutches me by the shoulders as she faces me. “You have that look on your face.”
I frown. “What look?”
“That look that spells trouble.”
I snort. “I do? You know, I had no idea I made a face like that.”
“Blake has the same look. And don’t worry, this is going to be perfect. It looks amazing.”
We stand back to check our handiwork.
Oak tables line the large area of the barn floor, with a dried flower centerpiece on each, giving it a fall vibe which I’m totally digging. Alongside that are the three-tiered high-tea trays where the finger food and sandwiches will go when we’re ready for them. Each place setting has a plate and a gold napkin along with recycled paper cups for soda.
The wishing well is the real main attraction. Especially since Brook made a mini-barn lookalike box out of some of the off-cuts Callan didn’t need from the barn repairs. The roof is the lid, fastened with a couple of hinges at the back, so it opens up and the donations can be put inside. My heart tugs when I think about my little girl only wanting her friends to give to the pet rescue, instead of receiving presents. It makes me feel proud that she’s such a thoughtful child at this young age. I feel like we did a lot right when it comes to parenting. I’m not saying we’re perfect, far from it, but Brook and I worked hard at keeping our family a strong unit, despite our divorce. I take a deep breath.
There were so many things about me and Brook that worked, and so much that didn’t. We were never enemies, and I thank everything down to my toes that we kept on amicable terms. I know I’m being nostalgic today because of Blake’s birthday, but I’ll always love Brooklyn — he’s the father of my child. One we both love dearly. Sometimes people don’t get why we broke up, and at times I often wonder if we’d have stuck it out when times got tough, would we have come out the other end?
Still. I shouldn’t be thinking about that today, especially when Kirk’s coming from Atlanta. I’m excited that this is the first time we’ll get to spend some quality time together over the weekend. It’s time we started moving in the right direction and while I’ve not had sex in forever, I’m looking forward to the fact that it might happen.
It’s not until I’m helping Verne set out the cupcakes on a larger three-tiered cake stand, over by the one of the long trestle tables away from the fray, that I hear my name across the barn and I see Kirk standing by the doors. He has a huge present in his hands, wrapped in horseshoe wrapping paper.
I set the cupcakes down and tell Verne I’ll be right back. I practically sprint over to him, excited that he’s here. He grins down at me, giving me a one-armed hug, juggling the present he’s holding.
“I missed you, Cupcake.”
“That’s fitting, since I just helped Verne ice fifty of the damn things.”
He kisses my nose and my heart falters just a little that he doesn’t sweep me into his arms and kiss me passionately. Not that I want to put on a huge display, but that electricity I think I should feel, never comes. I brush it off. It’s been a long morning and I’m already tired and drained.
“I missed you too,” I quickly add.
“You look pretty.”
I smile. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He presses his lips to mine for a kiss, but doesn’t deepen it when I swing my arms around his neck. “You don’t want the whole town talking, do you?”
I roll my eyes. “Like I care.”
