Page 76 of Uproot

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Selah

Once the weekend is over, and Bobby and Natalie leave town, I go out to lunch with Evy, Piper, and Mary at Upwood Pizza and Pasta. We haven’t all gotten together since Edi’s birthday party, so there is a lot to chat about as we share some delicious pizza, and lasagna rolls.

“I think until this baby comes you will need a pizza just for yourself,” Mary laughs, putting another slice of pepperoni pizza on Evy’s plate.

Evy sticks her tongue out at her, taking the plate from her hands. “Very funny. You wouldn’t want your little niece, or nephew, to starve, would you?” she asks, rubbing her stomach.

I shake my head at their banter, before looking over at Piper. “When do you go to do your wedding dress fitting, Pip?” I ask, helping her fill up her bowl of salad while she balances Nova on her lap.

“Well, my mother insisted that I use her personal seamstress for my alterations, so she is paying to have her meet me at the bridal shop in Charlestown next weekend,” Piper responds, kissing Nova on the head.

“Wow! That was really nice of her,” Evy responds.

Piper shrugs, “It is, but I think it’s more about her feeling left out of the planning process. She wasn’t thrilled when I told her that our wedding would be here in Upwood at our new house when it’s finished. The idea of a backyard wedding is appalling to her.”

We all laugh, knowing how over the top Piper’s mother is. She’s been a wedding planner for over 30 years, and is a real southern belle, so I’m not surprised she wanted a huge soiree for her only daughters nuptials.

“I think it’s going to be gorgeous,” Mary says, pushing her hair over her shoulder. “You’re new house has such amazing views. I’d love to have a backyard wedding one day. Would you, Selah?”

Piper and Evy both chuckle, and I look between the three of them suspiciously.

“Smooth segway there, Mary,” Evy laughs, nudging her arm.

Mary shrugs sheepishly, and I tilt my head at her, “What’s going on?” I question wearily.

“We all just noticed howcozythings are with you and Beckett,” Mary admits. “I mean you two are practically living together, and the way he was fawning over you at Edison’s birthday party was so adorable. I swear it looked like the three of you were a family.”

All three of them smile at me and I give them a lopsided grin, my heart momentarily soaring at the thought of Beckett, Edison and I really being a family.

“Things are really good with Beck and me. And, yes, I do spend a lot of time with him and Edison, but..” I trail off, not wanting to finish my thoughts.

Piper’s eyebrows pinch together, “But what?”

I let out a deep breath, poking at my pasta. “I just don’t know what will happen next with us. Beckett made it clear when we started dating that he wasn’t going to move here full-time, so I guess my mind is just trying to figure out how to manage a long-distance relationship,” I say glumly. “I’m going to feel lost without them and Dragana here. We’ve all gotten so close.”

Evy frowns, reaching over to put her hand on top of mine. “I know the distance may be difficult at first, but don’t give up hope that things could change for you two. I don’t think any distance could deter the way that man feels about you.”

“She’s so right, Selah. And also, I’m sure Beckett will make every effort to make sure you all still spend time together. He issoin love with you, girl,” Piper adds, and Nova coo’s her agreement on her lap.

I smile around the table, grateful for their kind encouragement. “Thanks ladies. I’m trying to stay positive and enjoy the time we have together. I just feel like summer is slipping away from us so fast.”

Mary nods, “Summer really is going by fast. I feel like we are going to turn around and it will be Halloween, and then we will be trudging through the snow again.”

Evy gives a fake shudder, and we all laugh. Piper’s laughter suddenly cuts off, her eyes narrowing as she looks across the restaurant. “Oh boy. Look what the cat dragged in,” she mutters.

We all turn our heads and follow her gaze over to a woman that looks vaguely familiar to me. The woman sways her hips as she makes her way over to a table where a man with salt and pepperhair is sitting. He stands up to greet her, looking around for a moment before giving her a hug.

Mary points her fork at the two of them, “You better watch out for that one, Selah. She likes her menunavailable. I wouldn’t be surprised if that guy has a wife somewhere.”

Evy leans over to me, seeing the shocked expression on my face. “Remember the home wrecker I told you about that my ex-husband was seeing behind my back? That’s her,” she explains.

“That’sLyndsey?!” I whisper shrilly, realizing that I’ve seen her around but never really knew what her name was.

“Yup. She has been more lowkey since she got caught sleeping with my ex. She at least had more shame after him than she did when she was pursuing Oakland,” Evy scoffs.

“Wait,wait, wait. She went afterbothof your men?” I gasp, looking over at Lyndsey again. “Does she have no shame?”

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