Page 63 of Hungry Hearts

Icouldn’t be at the salon and not assist in hair, makeup, and pictures. Laney and Kimmie let Ruby open one of her birthday presents early, a puffy yellow dress like the one Belle wore at the end ofBeauty and the Beast. We did her hair to match. Long waves, the sides pulled up, and a tiny crown nestled on top of her head. She even had long white gloves.

Kimmie dressed as Cinderella and the girls giggled and twirled while Tia and Rayne took pictures. It was adorable and fun and Ruby loved every minute of it. It isn’t until we’re in the car heading back to the house that she asks about Ryder.

“Is Prince Ry-Ry coming over soon?”

Laney turns in her seat. “Who is Prince Ry-Ry?”

“My friend,” Ruby says.

“I think he’s coming over later.”

Laney gives me a look, which I ignore. Let her think Prince Ry-Ry is imaginary or a friend from school. As long as Ruby is distracted and having fun at her party, she won’t ask about him. I hope.

When we get back to the house, it’s in full party mode. Marge loves being in the kitchen and made dozens of finger sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit salad, a veggie platter, and has an array of chips, cheese, and crackers spread out on the counter. Kimmie and Ruby run outside to jump in the bouncy house Marge and Bill rented.

“Joe should be back any minute with the cake. Is there anything I’m forgetting? Oh, juice boxes.” Marge goes to the pantry and brings out four packages, knowing Kimmie and Ruby will suck through a dozen each and be on a sugar high before even diving into the cake and ice cream.

“Thank you so much for the help. You made this the least stressful party ever.”

“It’s a lot of work, but I loved going all out for the kids’ birthday parties. Like Ruby, Laney was into princesses for many years, which made it easy to reuse the party decorations. Adam switched it up every year. I never knew which superhero he wanted or if he was going with theStar Warstheme. Those were some of the best days of my life.”

It must be harder for Marge and Bill to attend these parties, as they stir up so many memories. Adam was away for Ruby’s first birthday, and we FaceTimed with him when she dug into her cake. He never saw her first steps or heard her first words. Instead of memories of him, I have more memories without him.

“The party can start now,” Flynn bellows out as he comes through the door. “Hey, Maia.” He drops a kiss to the top of my head and gives me a brotherly hug.

“I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Adam would kick my ass if I didn’t come.”

I don’t know why his comment unnerves me, like he’s here because Ruby is his best friend’s daughter and not because he wants to be here for her.

A few friends from Ruby’s kindergarten class arrive and I give the parents the option to stay or enjoy some kid-free time. I’m not up to socializing and am relieved when they opt to leave. I check my phone more often than I should, hoping to have a message from Ryder.

I’m sure he’s already at the restaurant doing whatever he does for paperwork or prepping or whatever before the dinner rush. While I hate to cause turmoil at Red, it makes me fall harder for him that he’d put work aside for Ruby.

After the craziness of presents, cake, and ice cream, the kids hurry back to the bounce house while Adam’s parents and mine take pictures and the guys drink beers on the patio. Laney, my sister Juliana, and I are almost done cleaning up the kitchen when I finally have the courage to start the conversation I’ve been dreading.

“How would you feel if I started dating?”

“What? Is there a guy?” Laney dries her hands on a towel and tosses it on the counter.

“It’s about time,” my sister says.

I guess our parents haven’t told her. They haven’t asked me about Ryder, which tells me they’re worried I’ll get hurt or fall too fast.

“Will it upset you if you were to see me with someone else?”

“Maia. You’ve been a part of our family since you were fifteen. I love you like a sister and always will, but I wouldn’t blame you for getting back out there in the dating world.” She shudders. “God. I can’t even imagine. Where do you find a good guy nowadays? Dating apps creep me out, but maybe that’s because I met Joe when we were in college and did things the old-fashioned way. Like you and Adam.”

“How would Marge and Bill take it?”

Laney looks out the window with a sigh. “I’m not gonna lie, my parents may have a hard time accepting a man into their granddaughter’s life. And in yours. They think of you as a daughter as well.”

“We all want you and Ruby to be happy.” Julianna offers me a glass of white wine.

“I’m thirty. Living the next fifty years alone sounds like a sad life.”

“Oh, honey.” Laney brackets me in an embrace. “No one wants you to be alone, but it will be hard to see a man by your side who isn’t Adam.” She tilts her head to the patio. “You and Flynn taking things to the next level? Because I think my parents would be okay with that. You both waited an appropriate time to mourn Adam. It’s obvious how much he cares about you.”

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