Elise
“Oh, why did I say yes?” I groan aloud, lying on the couch in the living room of my apartment. “What possessed me to say yes, Sophie?”
Sophie is on the plush little carpet that Kendall had gifted her with and she rolls onto her stomach in response, saying, “Gah,” in a laughing manner.
“You’re right,” I say conversationally. “He manipulated me into it. I should have known all those apple crumbles came with a price.” I let out a heavy sigh. “But they were so good.”
I
glance down at my daughter who’s staring at me, clearly wondering if I’ve gone insane, “You think I should call him up and turn him down?”
Sophie gurgles with laughter before rolling over again.
I know I won’t turn him down.
It’s just one measly date… I try to argue with myself. I am not flattered that the handsome lawyer with that mischievous smile I secretly adore, asked me out.
Me!
With all my baby weight still on me. Despite the fact he’s seen me at my ugliest, he still asked me.
So it makes me wonder that if I hadn’t gotten pregnant with Sophie being the same person I was over a year ago, would I have been excited and thrilled instead of pensive and wary.
“He said no strings attached,” I say, loudly.
Now I’m just trying to convince myself to go ahead with this because Lucas had a point. I’ve denied myself any kind of relaxation or fun ever since the night I had with Sophie’s father.
“And I trust Lucas.”
He won’t try to do anything funny. It would be nice to go out and have a good time with someone who’s a friend. He can call it a date if he wants. I can just call it a relaxing evening.
I reach for my phone and before I can talk myself out of it, I’m dialing Kendall’s number.
I’ve just about lost my nerve when she picks up on the third ring. There’s someone talking in the background and she suddenly swears, “I swear to God, Duke, if you don’t turn down the volume, I’m going to teach your kid the word ‘fuck’. Have fun explaining that to your wife. Hey, Elise.”
I hesitate. “Are you busy?”
“I was,” she growls. “But Duke wants to watch this badminton match on TV because his is broken. It’s not even a real sport!” She shouts out the last part to Duke.
I hear grumbling from the background and then Caleb’s smooth voice.
I find myself chuckling and then get right to the point, “I actually need a favor.”
“Yeah, sure. Anything.”
I take in a deep breath before saying quickly, “CanyoubabysitSophie?”
Kendall is silent for a minute then asks, “Come again?”
“Could you babysit Sophie, someday this week or the next?” When Kendall doesn’t say anything, I feel worried, “Is that a no?”
She immediately responds, “Oh, no, that’s not it. I’m just thinking of the best way to rub this in Lana’s face. I’m thinking of a selfie montage with Sophie and me.”
I blink. “Ah, sure. Sounds good. So, that’s a yes?”
“Of course!” Then her voice turns suspicious as she asks, “Why though?”
My mouth flaps open uselessly, and I wince. “Umm…”