Page 81 of Healing Hearts
“Alright,” Maggie says as we’re all eating pizza in the apartment.
Well, they’re eating pizza. I’m picking at my slice as though it’s a toxic substance I’m being forced to consume.
“I have some news, and I wasn’t sure when the right time would be to tell everyone, but since we’re all together, I thoughtnow?” Maggie keeps glancing at me, and I wonder what she hasn’t told me that’s clearly making her nervous.
“No vague posts,” Lila says, digging out another slice from the box on the coffee table.
“I’m pregnant.”
“Ahh!” Lila cries, dropping her slice back into the box and tugging Maggie out of her seat, practically spilling Maggie’s pizza onto the floor.
Maggie laughs and keeps her plate of pizza in one hand while she hugs Lila with the other. Mia is next to embrace Maggie, and I pull up the rear.
When Maggie and I embrace, she whispers in my ear, “I’m sorry.”
“Donotbe sorry,” I whisper back. “I’m so happy for you, and if I start crying later, those arehappytears.”
Maggie steps back, and there are already tears pooling in her eyes.
“Don’t!” I point at her, my throat tightening. “Don’t you dare.”
“I can’t help it,” Maggie says, scooping up the tears as they fall.
“No!” Mia cries. “Ever since I had Victoria, something’s been unlocked in me, and I can’t see people cry alone.”
I look over and tears are streaming down her face.
“Oh, fuck,” Lila says, her voice thick with tears too. “Look what you've done.”
And then we’re all crying, and Henry seems at a bit of a loss.
“We’re happy?” he asks, uncertain.
“Yes,” I say. “Happy tears.” And maybe a bit sad, but I’d never admit that out loud.
The next night at the fancy restaurant Mia booked, we’re in a special VIP room for privacy. Pasha, as per usual, is at the door, but it’s closed, so we can’t see him.
Lila is on my left, and there’s no Henry tonight—it’s just the four of us. Maggie and Mia are deep in a conversation about town limits and figuring out whether the property Mia and Tyler bought should be absorbed by Little Falls.
“I heard about what happened to Trent,” Lila says, keeping her voice low. “He must have been devastated.”
“He was,” I say. “He is.”
“Are you doing okay?” Lila asks.
“Yeah, of course,” I say, my smile tight on my face.
“I thought with him living there…”
Part of me wants to tell her the truth, but I have no idea where her head is at when it comes to Trent.
“I was really harsh with him,” Lila says. “Meeting Henry made me realize I was trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.”
“Are you going to talk to Trent?” I ask.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Lila says. “I said some pretty shitty things to him.” She hesitates for a beat and slides me a sheepish look. “About him.”
“Admitting it to me is one thing,” I say, “but I know the loss of your friendship, the iciness between you two, bothers him. I think it would mean a lot if you talked to him next time you’re home.”
