AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sitting there looking…like a fucking model and perfection embodied. Long and lean and elegant, with her hair perfect and her makeup spotless and her nails done. She’s tall, like Reid, and her body is lithe in that willowy way I would never be able to manage at my petite 5’3”.
“She doesn’t have kids,” Tilly offers, smiling at me. “She’s just here for the mimosas.”
The two of them laugh as I sit frozen, my eyes glued to the woman who used to be married to the man I can’t get out of my head.
“Nice to meet you,” I finally manage, thankful when Sarah turns back to Tilly and says something I don’t hear.
I don’t know Reidthatwell, even though I might have memories of him from since I was basically a kid, but what Idoknow about him I really, really like. Obviously he’s handsome—that’s a no-brainer—but he’s also all those other things that make me want to kiss him whenever I see him. Warm and kind and funny and good with my kid.
It’s hard to imagine anyone ever being married to him and then getting divorced.
“Where on Main is it?” Tilly asks, leaning back against the cushioned seat.
“Where on Main is what?” Marie asks, plopping down across from me.
“My sister’s bookstore. It’s a great spot. We’re right between Ruthie’s and that art gallery I’ll never be able to afford anything from,” I reply on a laugh.
Tilly turns to Marie. “Oh, that’s right by Reid’s shop.”
Marie’s eyes flick to Sarah before she looks back at Tilly. “It is.”
Sarah sighs. “I’ve told you plenty of times, you don’t have to tiptoe around me. He and I are just fine.” Then she turns to me, rolling her eyes. “Just because people get divorced doesn’t mean they can’t stay friends, right?”
I manage a smile and a nod.
“So, Busy…how are you getting settled?” Sarah continues. “Reid said you moved into the green cabin, right?”
I can’t help the new wave of surprise that rolls over me. I don’t likethatfeeling. Not at all. Even though I have no right to the jealousy that courses through me, something about knowingReid and his ex are not only still friendly but on speaking terms—that they’ve spoken aboutme—ruffles something in my chest that I don’t like. At. All.
“It’s going great,” I finally spit out. “I like being on the water.”
Sarah laughs. “You sound like Reid.”
“It’ll be great on the Fourth,” Marie interjects. “Sitting on the dock to watch the fireworks. Although if you don’t have plans, you’re always welcome to come here.”
I nod. “I’ll probably go to my parents’ house.”
After a few beats, Tilly, Marie, and Sarah begin talking about Fourth of July plans as I sit there…in stunned silence. I only speak to Jay out of strict necessity. If he wasn’t Junie’s dad, I wouldneverspeak to the man again. And we weren’t even married—thank god. We didn’t have to go through all the emotional upheaval of separating our lives the way I can only assume Sarah and Reid have had to do.
But I guess that’s only an assumption, after all. Who knows what their relationship was really like?
I listen as intently as I can and try to laugh in the right places, but I feel a little distracted and a whole lot tired. I forgot how exhausting it is to be around people like this, in a place where I feel like I have to be so social and friendly and smiley all the time. I know that’s something I’ve imposed upon myself, but I can’t help it.
Licking my lips, I glance toward Junie, wishing she’d call out for me or something, because I am suddenly desperately ready to go. Unfortunately, I find her plucking flowers from a weedy bush, completely oblivious to me. I want to grab Junie and leave, flee to our cabin in the woods. But I don’t.
Instead, I stay and continue my conversation until Junie runs over to hand me her flowers and weeds, and I take my chance. I excuse myself from the women I’m sitting with and walk with Junie a few steps away, and then when I feel likenobody is watching, we slip out through the side gate unnoticed. I kind of feel like an asshole, not even saying bye to Marie or thanking her for inviting me over, but sometimes it’s just easier to disappear and say nothing.
That said, as I pull down the drive and away from Marie’s, I can’t help feeling incredibly guilty. Maybe I shouldn’t have darted so quickly. The last thing I want to do is seem ungrateful. I’ll have to make sure I talk to her and say thank you soon.
“How did it go?”
I glance at my mother as I unclip Junie from her car seat and tug her out. The question isn’t unexpected or even unwarranted, but it is unwanted. I’m not really sure what to say.
So I shrug. “It was alright.”
Mom’s head jerks back. “Just alright? I feel like all the moms love going over to Marie’s for mom-osas.”
I snort. “They do not call it that.”
