Page 128 of The Other Guy

SIERRA - TWO MONTHS LATER

“I’m freaking out, Mallory.”

“They’re going to love you, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Uh, yes I do. Do you realize how many of them there are?”

She nods as she hangs up an outfit in our brand new brick and mortar. I invested the money Kyle had for me. The building next to Rebecca’s was up for sale and she came to Mallory and me about going in with her to purchase it, expanding on hers and offering ours. We have some costumes we offer regularly as well as taking in custom orders.

A week from Monday is our grand opening and tonight Jack’s aunt and uncle, Barrett and Tess Cole, are having a big family gathering. Their daughter Harper, the same one who took my picture when I was at Balance, was just recently engaged to a man named Grayson and it’s time to celebrate.

“Trust me, you’re a somewhat likable person. I think they’ll tolerate you,” she teases.

I place a hand on my chest and wipe a fake tear. “Those are the sweetest words anyone’s ever said to me.”

“Stick around, there’s more where that came from.”

“What should I wear?”

“Well, back in high school when I helped friends plan their outfits…”

“My gosh, you take a special smart ass pill this morning?”

“No. I’m just this awesome.”

“Great.”

She walks over to stand next to me and takes the construction worker costumes out of my hand and hangs them up on the rack. “Sierra, relax. You know as well as I do that you’re worrying over nothing. There’s absolutely no way that Jack would allow you to meet his family if he didn’t think they would be cool with you. You love Jack. He loves you. You’ve met his parents and had double dates with his sister and brother-in-law. You’re smart, beautiful, and funny. And, remember, Kyle’s coming along so you have him if you start to freak out and need to take a break.”

I blow out a breath. “Jack told me that the first time he met all of James’s family, it was at a wedding. He and his mom were kind of freaking out, too, because there are a lot of them and it was only the two of them.”

“Just like you and Kyle. See? Jack understands and gets it. He wouldn’t put you in a position that would make you uncomfortable.” She winks and then says in a teasing voice while shaking her shoulder, “Unless you want him to, that is.”

I playfully slap her with the back of my hand. “Oh my gosh, Mallory!”

“What? I see the way you look at each other in public and I can only imagine how hot you two get when you’re alone.”

I don’t deny it but don’t offer up details, either.

“Gah, I’m so jealous. Not of you with him, but of constant wild and crazy sex. It’s gotten to be kinda boring with Austin.”

“Mallory.”

We go back to hanging costumes, she pulls them out of the tote, fluffs, and hands them to me and I put them on the hanger. “No. Boring is an awful description. That’s not it. It’s more just… regular. With trying for a baby and having a baby at home, sometimes it feels like we’re only doing it to do it. We’ve lost creativity.”

“Want me to watch Paisley some weekend? That way you two can have a little time together to focus on more than only trying to have a baby. Bring some fun back into it.”

Her eyes bug out of her head. “Are you serious?”

I shrug. “Why not?”

“Paisley does love you. And I think she has a little crush on Jack, if a toddler knows what a crush is.”

I giggle. “She absolutely does. But it’s adorable. And we both love her. Toby’s great with her. I can stay at your house if you want to get a hotel room so she can sleep in her own bed. Or whatever. Just think about it, talk to Austin. The offer stands for whenever.”

“You’re incredible, you know that?”

“Right? You’re so lucky to have me.”

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