Page 224 of Josephine and Clay

I pick at the paper wrapper around my straw. "He came back with us. To Buckhorn, to stay. Everything's fine."

She waits.

Eventually I crack. "I don't know if everything's fine."

"There she is."

I roll my eyes.

Penny softens immediately. "You think he's going to leave again."

The fact she guesses it so quickly makes my stomach sink. "Maybe."

"Maybe isn't the same thing as definitely."

"No."

"But it's where your brain lives."

Unfortunately, she's right.

I stare out the café window toward Main Street. A pickup rolls past. Someone waves at somebody else. Life keeps moving.

Meanwhile, I'm carrying twins and questioning every life choice I've made in the last four months.

"What if this is another impulse?" I ask quietly.

Penny's expression grows thoughtful. For once, she doesn't answer immediately. "I don't know."

The honesty surprises me. "I was hoping for a speech."

"Oh, I can absolutely make one up if you'd like."

"Penny."

She smiles apologetically. "I mean it, Josie. I don't know."

I appreciate that more than false reassurance.

She stirs her drink. "People can surprise you."

"They can also make you wish you'd trusted a raccoon with your bank account."

"Also true."

"You're not helping."

"I'm trying to avoid lying."

I huff out a laugh.

Penny points triumphantly. "See? That's why we're friends."

"You say alarming things and then call it wisdom."

"It's a gift."

She grows serious again. "I do know one thing."