“Robin befriends everyone and she’s such a good mom,” Sara said.
“I can tell. She’s so nurturing.”
Sara nodded, “Yeah, I think I didn’t get that gene in my DNA. I’m more judgemental.”
I laughed, “Same. So, is your husband here? It’s Jake, right? I don’t think I’ve met him yet. Robert talks about you two all the time.”
She nodded, “He’s the one dressed like a sexy lumberjack trying to figure out how to put together that inflatable bouncy house with Robert.”
I looked over and saw him. He was sexy, but Chris was sexier. Dammit. I was thinking of Chris again. At that moment, the bouncy house looked like it was about to inflate and then it quickly deflated and kind of fell over on Robert.
I laughed. I couldn’t help myself. Sara joined in.
“Now that was priceless,” she said.
“I couldn’t agree more.” We watched as Robert tried to detangle himself from it. Krissy ran over to assist, handing Sebastian over to Jake.
He turned towards us and walked over, kid in hand and said, “He’s such a cute kid, isn’t he?” he said to Sara.
“Yep,” Sara said, reaching out and taking him into her arms, “Hi, my darling boy! Did you miss me?!”
I watched her with him and smiled. She was definitely nurturing; she just didn’t know it. Sebastian wrapped his arms around her neck and laid down against her chest.
“Uh oh, too much activity in one day. I’m going to take him for a walk around the park. I think he’s overstimulated. I told Robin that this party or adoption event or whatever should have been in a more controlled environment with scheduled activities. Come on, Sebastian.”
She put him down and together they walked off towards the other side of the park. He looked up at her admiringly and she smiled at him as they walked away.
“When he was born, she read every baby book she could get her hands on. You would have thought she was the one having the kid. She has a series of YouTube playlists about raising kids that she prepared in advance for each stage of his life...until he’s 26. She said she didn’t prepare anything after that age because by then his brain would be fully developed.”
I laughed, “Are you serious?” Sara was definitely more Type A than I could ever be accused of being.
He shook his head, “I wish I were. I’m Jake, by the way.”
“I’m Sydney, Robert’s--”
“VP. Yes, he speaks really highly of you. Are the two girls yours?”
I laughed, “God, no. they’re my nieces. That’s my sister, Starr, over there talking---never mind, I guess doing yoga with Robin.”
They had found mats somewhere and were now doing yoga together with the girls. They were all laughing as they struggled to hold poses, even Robin’s baby was trying to join in. I couldn’t help but smile.
Jake said, “Sara made herself scarce at the right time. Robin’s been trying to get her to do yoga with her for years.”
“You guys are so close. That’s enviable.”
“We all grew up together. So, we’re all each other’s best friends, I guess you could say.”
“That’s nice. So, you married your best friend?”
He nodded, “Probably the easiest and best decision I ever made.” He looked in the direction of Sara who was now playing hide and seek with Sebastian. “I’m going to get in on that game. It was nice meeting you, Sydney.”
I watched him jog over to them and the three of them began to play.
“Damn,” I heard Robert say, “He’s out there playing around and left me to put together this inflatable by myself.”
Krissy smiled, looking pleased with herself, “I told you they would make great godparents.”
“I can help,” I offered.