Page 53 of Breathing Wisteria
“Oh, uh, the tour goes for three months. He’s going around the United Kingdom, Asia, and Australia before he comes home and tours around the US.” My hand finds its way into the long strands of my hair, twirling it nervously.
“That’s a long time.” She frowns. “I don’t think I could go that long without seeing Ethan.”
“Oh. My. Fleeking. Gooseberry.”
A giggle bubbles in my throat, as it always does when I hear Cassidy’s kid-friendly cursing, and I can’t blame her for her outburst. We have all stopped in the doorway to the luxury suite where we will be watching the concert, our eyes wide in excitement.
There are two rows of golden-brown leather couches facing the floor-to-ceiling window. Two couches on each row, separated by a small aisle, and each one providing ample seating for two people. The leather looks so soft I briefly contemplate rushing over and rubbing my cheek along it. Just for a moment until I come to my senses.
A fully stocked bar stands at the back of the room, just behind a lounge area with more leather sofas and a small coffee table. To the right of the room is a long table holding four covered serving dishes that are providing the most delectable aromas.
Campbell moves confidently into the room, settling himself on a seat and immediately pulling out his cell phone and making a call.
We all look at each other for a split second before we race inside oohing and aahing over everything. When we have cooed over everything in the room, we take a seat at the lounge area, laughing at ourselves.
“We really need to calm down.” Skye giggles. “We should be acting like mature adults, not a bunch of tweens who have just spotted BTS.”
“Who the fuck are BTS?” Cassidy furrows her brows.
“They’re that boyband.” Layla groans. “So many of my students are obsessed with them.”
“Aren’t your students, like, eight?” I ask, pulling down the hem of my blue shirt dress.
“Oh my God, I am dreading reaching that stage with Mack. I already feel like she’s three going on sixteen. Mason and I don’t stand a chance against her.” Cass covers her face with her hands and falls against me. “Hold me, Red. Or better yet, pray for me. I’m going to need it.”
“At least I don’t need to worry about Summer,” Skye pipes up before taking a sip of her soda. “She’s already planning her wedding to Seb.”
“Could you imagine?” I cry. “How wonderful would that be if they did grow up and get married?”
“Meh, I’m still not sold on being officially related to Spanky.”
Skye throws a pretzel across the table at Cassidy. “You shouldbeso lucky to be related to my husband, you punk.” She laughs.
“Speaking of kids.” Charlie turns to Layla. “Wyatt told me about your news, congratulations!”
Layla looks at me apprehensively and I throw her a reassuring smile. “It’s fine, Lay. You’re allowed to talk about it. I promise, I’m good.”
Her shoulders relax instantaneously, and she looks at me gratefully.
“Thank you,” she says to Charlie. “We’re so excited. I’m a little overwhelmed, especially since my sister insists on telling me what to expect in the birth, ingraphic detail.” She glares at Cassidy, and Skye, Charlie, and I do the same.
“What? She needs to know! Knowledge is power and all that horsey poo.”
“That’s just cruel, Cass.” Skye takes hold of Layla’s hand. “You’ll be fine, it’s not that bad at all.”
Cassidy snorts. Loudly.
Ignoring her, Layla turns to me. “What about you? Have you and Flynn discussed your options for a family?”
After my meltdown when Layla told me about her pregnancy and once I felt like Flynn and I were on solid ground, I confessed my infertility to the girls. It was a difficult discussion, but one I wish we had had years ago. No longer needing to pretend I was okay all the time was life changing.
“We’ve agreed to look at our options. He wants to start the ball rolling now, but I don’t think I’m ready yet.” Charlie clutches my hand, offering her support. “It was only a couple of months ago that I had written off the idea of kids. I need a little more time to get my head around the idea that kids might be possible.”
My friends are all nodding in understanding and I can feel myself start to get a bit emotional, so I quickly change the subject.
“I can’t remember the last time I saw some live music, thank you all for coming with me.”
“Please, I’m husband-free, kid-free, and sitting in a luxury suite with a drink in my hand and my best friends by my side. Thankyou.”
