Page 12 of Eat Slay Love

I wasn’t just repeating them to convince myself anymore.

I wasn’t just hoping they’d stick.

I believed them.

Every single word.

I said them until they began to drown out the noise of my self-doubt. Until they weren’t just words but truths I carried with me everywhere I went.

My bestie brought me back to the phone conversation. “You’ve got this, Rae.”

I could feel the warmth of Laila’s encouragement wrapping around me like a shield.

I smiled. “Laila?”

“Yes.”

“What the hell would I do without you?”

“Girl, you would do what anyone would do when they’ve lost me, lay in a fetal position in some corner and cry.”

I laughed. “Well. . .I’m so thankful for you. I love you, girl.”

“And I love you more.”

I continued toward the entrance. “Now when are you going to send me a sexy picture ofyouin that red dress?”

“I haven’t squeezed into it yet.”

“Why not?”

“I’m enjoying my ability to breathe for as long as I can.”

I smirked. “It is not that bad.”

“I should have went a size up, but such is life. I’m wearing that damn dress, even if it burst open on the sides by the end of the night.”

I chuckled. “Bring your fur to cover it up.”

“You know I will.”

“What do you think Jerry has planned for you tonight for Valentine’s?”

“That bastard didn’t plan anything.” She huffed, a blend of irritation and humor in her voice. “I reserved it all. He better be on his best behavior too, or I swear, I’m taking a page out ofyourbook next Valentine’s Day and taking myself out instead.”

“Hey, don’t you talk bad about Jerry.” The grin on my face softened into something warmer.

Laila let out a dramatic sigh. “Alright, alright. I won’t throw him under the bus entirely. He has been pulling his weight, especially with the twins.”

“Yep.” I slowed my stride as I reached the entrance of the Four Seasons.

The doorman smiled warmly at me and held open the door.

As I stepped outside, the cool Manhattan air kissed my skin.

I returned to my conversation with my bestie. “You’re doing amazing as a new mom, Laila. Seriously, to me you’re a superhero.”

“And what are superheroes without a sidekick?” Laila quipped, though her voice had relaxed, and I could hear the affection underneath the joke. “Jerry’s been my sidekick for sure. He works all day in that dentist office, dealing with people’s raggedy ass teeth to only come home and stay up with the babies all night so I can get at least a couple of hours of sleep. He’s running on fumes, but he’s still doing it.”

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