Page 23 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
Zoe looked stunning today in tailored trousers and a white silk button-up shirt. Simple but elegant. “Your eyes look a bit off,” she added, raising an eyebrow.
“Off how?” Leah asked.
Birdie moved around the counter, leaving her baby with Leah, and stared at her too.
“Squinty eyed,” Zoe said.
“You do a bit,” Birdie added.
“I’m tired, and in case you two haven’t noticed, I have a few things on my mind,” Leah said.
Looking at Zoe reminded Leah of her friend’s brother.
Young, reckless love that had felt real to her was how she’d thought of her relationship with Dan Duke. But real hadn’t lasted. Leah should have known that would happen. Because love wasn’t for her, just like it hadn’t been for her mother or sister.
“I can understand that. How’s Hudson?” Birdie asked.
“Okay. We’re working it out. He’s teaching me stuff like how he likes the milk poured on his cereal and his sandwiches with pink mayo.”
Zoe wrinkled her nose. “Pink mayo?”
“Mayo and ketchup combined. He likes it on his sandwiches,” Leah said, relaxing.
“Eww,” Zoe said.
“Pretty much, but that’s kids for you. We have a birthday party coming up at someone called Toby Stanley’s house. You know the Stanleys, Zoe?”
Birdie leaned her weight on one hip and thought about that while Zoe got her niece out of the stroller.
“Mom’s a banker, and Dad’s in insurance. I put new curtains in their house last year. Good people, and a nice house,” Zoe said. She then blew a raspberry into Sadie’s neck, which had her giggling. There was nothing like a kid’s laughter to make a person smile. Even one who didn’t have a lot to smile about. “They’d be good influences on Hudson,” Zoe added.
Yet more proof that coming back here had been the right thing to do. Her friends knew everyone in town, and if they didn’t, likely knew someone who did. Leah could keep Hudson safe here.
“What gift are you getting this Toby?” Birdie asked.
“Oh god, I need to, right?”
Her friends nodded, and Leah thought about her dwindling bank balance. She had funds, had saved for years, but she wanted to spend the bulk of that on their future. “How much do I need to spend on a gift?”
“Not sure, but I’ll ask Brody. He’ll know,” Birdie said. “Now I want to know why you’ve been avoiding us.”
“I haven’t been back long enough to avoid you,” Leah protested. “I’m settling in, Birdie. Making a home for me and Hudson. I can’t go out on school nights either.”
Her friends stared at her for long seconds.
“Okay, but you can’t keep refusing, because we’ll win,” Zoe said.
“I’m going to ask Linda for a few shifts in the Do-Si-Do,” Leah said to change the subject.
“You could come work here if you like,” Zoe offered. “I need help.”
“I know nothing about interior design and am hopeless with money and peopling these days.”
“Don’t you have to do exactly that in the diner?” Birdie asked.
“I know that place. It’s easy.” She waved the words away. “Remember, I’m a Reynolds, Zoe. Don’t forget that. We’re hardly Lyntacky’s first family.”
“And what?” Zoe asked.
