Page 129 of For the Love of Art

“Marissa came by my apartment this morning, and her water broke,” I explained. “I took her to the hospital and had to coach her through some of the labor because Don was stuck in traffic.”

“Shut. Up.” Lianne’s eyes were wide. “How did it all end.”

“With a healthy baby girl,” I said. “Eleanor Clarissa Watts.”

Tears stung the backs of my eyes, and I swallowed down a lump.

“Sweetie,” Lianne reached across the counter and took my hand.

I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’m happy for them,” my voice cracked on the last word.

“It’s okay to be happy for them and sad for yourself.” She ran her thumb over my hand.

“I’ve made the choice not to have kids.” I blinked back tears. “I said no surrogacy. I’ve made my bed, and now I have to lay in it.”

“You made that decision when you were with Don,” Frankie said. “You and Don weren’t in a great place when you talked about surrogacy. Maybe the problem is more than just being scared to face another loss, but fear that you’d have to do it with someone who wasn’t emotionally available for you.”

“It freaks me out when you make logical sense, Frankie,” I whispered.

The three of us laughed.

“Hey, there’s an art opening this Friday. Nathan’s taking that platinum blonde bombshell. Will you guys come with me?”

“Of course,” Lianne answered.

“We’ve always got your back, Boo,” Frankie chimed in.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

No matter how murky my love life was or how damaged my heart was, there were two people who I could always rely on.