Page 91 of This Time Around
“Someone from school?” Allie asked.
“Katie’s from soccer,” Paige said. “I play goalie and she plays midfield.”
“That’s great. I didn’t know you played soccer.”
“Maybe you could come to one of my games sometime.” Paige watched them order their drinks, then stroll to the table beside them. “Hey, Katie.”
“Hey.” The girl nodded toward the stroller. “That’s Baby Lola and that’s Mia.”
Allie held out her hand to the woman. “I’m Allie.” She made a mental note that the girl had introduced the woman as Mia, not Mom. Interesting.
“Allie’s taking me to buy bras,” Paige supplied. “She’s my dad’s girlfriend.”
A thrill chattered through her as Allie shook Mia’s hand. Had Jack called her his girlfriend at home?
“Pleasure to meet you.” Mia tilted her head to regard her with curious eyes. “You look familiar.”
Dread soured her stomach, and Allie knew what the next words would be out of Mia’s mouth.
Aren’t your parents the ones who?—
“You work at Belmont, right?” Mia smiled warmly, and Allie relaxed. “I’m the NICU manager there.”
“Oh—Jenna’s friend.” She knew she’d seen the redhead somewhere. “I work for a medical association, so I host a lot of educational seminars at Belmont, but I don’t actually work there.”
“Gotcha.” She glanced at the girls, who were deep in conversation about the last soccer game. Leaning in close, Mia lowered her voice. “I feel like we should have a secret handshake.”
“A secret handshake?” Allie’s antennae went up. “Um?—”
“Stepmoms unite.” Mia chuckled. “I know she said you’re the girlfriend, but it must be serious if you’re taking her bra shopping.”
“Oh.” Color rushed Allie’s cheeks. “I guess so.”
“It’s not always easy, but it’s rewarding as hell.” Sipping her drink, she shot a fond glance at the girls. “Katie’s fantastic, so that makes it smoother. But it still feels awkward sometimes, you know?”
“Yeah.” Allie did know. And it helped knowing she wasn’t the only woman to feel strange tending a child who wasn’t technically hers. “Thank you,” she murmured.
“Don’t mention it.” Mia smiled again. “You’ve got this.”
God, that felt nice to hear. “We should probably get going. We have an appointment in less than five minutes.”
“Good luck with the bra fitting.” With a warm nod, Mia slipped into a whisper again. “And with everything else. You’re doing great, mama. Keep it up.”
“Thank you.” Tears stung Allie’s eyes. She didn’t correct Mia’s assumption that she had any permanent claim to Paige or her dad. It felt nice to be included. To be seen as a woman just doing her best with a kid she adored, but hadn’t given birth to.
Turning to Paige, she picked up her empty cup. “You ready, kiddo?”
She cringed at her word choice. Kiddo? Did people really say that?
But Paige didn’t miss a beat. “Yep!” The girl got to her feet with a smile. “Let’s do it.”
With a quick farewell to Mia and Katie, she tossed Paige’s empty cup and carried her own half-empty one out the door. Allie felt a tingle in her limbs and a faint, funny tug in her belly. Some thread of connection that hadn’t been there thirty minutes ago.
“You nervous?” she asked Paige.
“Not really.” She nibbled her lip. “Maybe a little, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
