Page 5 of Minted

We dated for several years—until a problem came up with his visa, so we got married. It made sense. He got to stay, and we could be together.

But then my mom died. After my dad died a few months later, I went from really, really sad to entirely depressed. I also discovered that when I’m sad, I eat. I ballooned from a size six to more than double that. I still run a few times a week. I still feel pretty good, unless I’m looking in a mirror.

Or being mocked on an elevator.

I did try to lose the weight, especially when James started saying that it bothered him. I tried Weight Watchers. I tried the keto diet plan. I even tried strange things, like the potato diet. None of it worked. The only thing that made me feel better was sweets, and the more James harped and complained, the more I needed to feel good about myself sometime. It was a very bad cycle.

Not that I’ve lost any weight since we broke up, either.

Once the holidays are past, I’m going to start over—calorie counting this time. But I just can’t navigate work and holiday stress while eating nine hundred calories per day. I’ll rip someone’s head off and wind up in prison. Also, when I’m dieting, I don’t have the energy to run, so I know it’s healthier to lose some weight, but there are definitely trade-offs there, too.

I know all of that. I’m a smart woman.

And I’m still bawling in my car when I get to Seren’s house. Which is why I sit outside for a few extra minutes and go in really late. My best friend Seren, unlike me, looks exactly the same as she ever has.

When we were young, I was the one who had the best figure—thin with a large chest. But now, she’s still thin with a moderate bosom, and she looks elegant beside. My chest is sagging and my stomach is bulging, and if she weren’t the perfect friend, I might resent her for it.

No one in the world could dislike Serendipity Colburn Fansee.

The second she sees me, her eyes light up and she rushes over to hug me. “When are you going to quit that job? You’re working too much.” She’s wearing an apron, and I can smell the peach cobbler already.

“You made cobbler.”

She shrugs. “It’s Killian’s favorite.”

“It’s a birthday party,” I say. “You should make the boy eat cake.”

Seren points at the table, and I notice a large chocolate cake, already covered with brightly colored candles.

“Bless you.”

Because unlike James, Seren never judges me on how I look or what I’m eating. If she saw me eating Girl Scout cookies, she’d just hold out her hand for one. Depending on the kind, of course. She’s absurdly picky.

“Barbara.” Dave’s smiling as he shoots out the hall. “Another responsible adult. Thank goodness.”

“Where are the kids?” I ask.

Seren sighs. “Killian has been praying every day for nice weather.”

I blink. “Does he pray?” The boy was an absolute heathen when they took him in.

Dave laughs. “Not really, no. But we told him that if the weather was nice, he could have the party in the back garden without any of us hovering. Apparently when you’re turning fifteen, the idea of having parents or their friends standing around is scarier than talking about safe sex with your dad.”

I laugh. “Do you talk about safe sex a lot?”

“The only safe sex is not to have it,” Seren says, her face very intent.

Dave pulls a face, like they’ve had this argument before.

Seren says, “But hopefully none of that will come up tonight.”

The front door swings open, and I turn, hoping it’s Killian.

Instead, Bentley Harrison strides in like he owns the place—he does that literally everywhere. But he’s as close to Dave as I am to Seren, so for about fourteen years now, we’ve been at every family gathering together. He’s brought women with him off and on. I’ve brought a few guys too—most recently, James—but the two of us have always been here. Except for the months at a time when he was traveling, I guess.

Usually Bernie and his wife are around too—but I think they’re at his in-laws this weekend. If I remember right, Killian’s birthday is the same as Bernie’s wife. He misses Killian’s party a lot.

I’m actually surprised Bentley’s here, too. He travels a lot.

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