Page 136 of As a Last Resort
“They’re pregnant.Like, with a baby.”
“The spawn of Satan?”
“You really didn’t like her, huh?”I asked, laughing.
“Maybe if she hadn’t nicknamed meSloth Babyfrom the moment she met me…”
“You did hang around us a lot.”I smiled at her.“I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
“And she felt the need to tell you this in person, why?”
“Tom came too.They apologized, believe it or not.Together.”
“Oh.Okay.I guess, better late than never?”
I didn’t feel anything other than shock when I opened the door and they were both standing there.She apologized.He apologized.It was the first time they ever said they were sorry for what happened, and I actually believed them.It’s a weird feeling, spending so much of your life with someone and then they’re just gone one day.I won’t be grabbing drinks with them anytime soon, but it felt nice to have better closure.
“Tom wanted to tell me before I heard it from somewhere else.He and Vanessa are really happy.She was literally glowing.They’ll be here more often now with the baby on the way and they didn’t want it to be weird every time they came back.Grandparents and all.”
“Well that was nniiiiii—not satanic of them.”
“You can’t do it, can you?”
“Nope.”She smiled out at her guests, taking a moment to scan the crowd again.
My stomach somersaulted as Lexi drew in a quick breath.She and I saw Sam at the exact same time heading into the backyard from the side pathway.Sam was in a navy-blue dress that hugged her waist.Her head was down concentrating on the stone path, trying to navigate heels and patches of grass.We hadn’t spoken since the night she stormed off.I sent her a single text letting her know I was here to talk whenever she was ready, but I hadn’t heard anything back.
Lexi turned to me.“Do you love her?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to be with her?”
“Yes, but I’d never allow her to give up her whole life and move back here.”
“Just make sure she knows how you feel.No question about it.No room for any other interpretation than you’re crazy about her.Let her decide what to do about it.”
“Look at you, being all wise now that you’re almost an old married woman.”
“I don’t want you all heartbroken, driven to becoming a reclusewho never washes his clothes and eventually wastes away and dies with all his cats and no one would know for years.Or something similar.”
“I could see that happening.”
Lexi side-hugged me again.“Plan of attack: you go take a shot.I’ll intercept for a few.You come out when your balls aren’t in your throat.Sound like a plan?”
“Don’t think I could come up with anything better.”
42
SAMANTHA
The street Mary Kay and Bill lived on was already parked up with cars and white golf carts were shuttling guests to the house, pearl-colored balloons whipping behind the back wheels.I sat in my car and checked my phone, trying to stall just a few seconds longer.Ivy had offered to come down and be my wingman for when I crumpled to the ground after confronting Austin, and I didn’t hesitate to take her up on the offer.I was sure I’d need an emotional support buddy after the carnage that was about to go down, but she texted and was stuck at the airport after landing and would be late.
I was on my own.
Facing an entire bridal party and all the extended family was much easier thinking Ivy would be by my side.But I would do this the right way.No more running away, regardless of how much it hurt.And that meant telling Austin how I really felt.
IVY:how do u feel
