“Girl, I thought about it. You were a mess. You’re a mess now, what’s with the tears?”
She laughed, reaching for her napkin to blow her nose. “It’s the pregnancy, man. I can’t control my emotions for anything.”
“Well maybe that explains some of that mess at the table,” I said, giggling with her.
“Maybe so. Can I tell you something, Tori?”
I nodded as I raised my mug to take another sip of my tea. “Go for it.”
“Even though I thought he was a bit of an asshole… I kinda secretly hoped you and Avery would end up together.”
“What?” I sputtered out, nearly choking. “Why would you say that?”
Des shrugged. “That way, we would be sisters for real, you know.”
“Mmhmm. Well, you may have a new sister soon enough, but it won’t be me. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“What does that mean? Did you find Avery a match?”
I managed to give her a tight smile as I nodded my head, forcing myself not to look as anguished as I felt. “I think they’re going to really be good for each other.”
“Wow! Tell me everything!”
“No, no, no. I’ve already said more than I should. You, my dear, will have to talk to Avery about her if you wanna know.”
Des rolled her eyes, poking her lip out in a playful pout. “I guess I’ll keep my news to myself too then.”
“What news? Des, don’t play!”
Her lips spread into a grin as excitement poured out from her. “… We’re having a girl!”
“What? Ahhh! That’s so sweet, Des! I know you’ve always wanted a little girl!” I pulled her into a hug, rocking her back and forth. “How does Drew feel about it?”
“He’s a teensy bit disappointed, because he was hoping boy, but he’s excited still! Guess what else?”
I smiled, still pumped about her news. “What?”
“We want you to be her god mommy!”
My breath caught in my throat, and tears sprang to my eyes. “Des… really?”
“Of course. Who else would it be? I love you, Tori.”
“I love you too, Des,” I sniffled, pulling her into another hug.
She pulled back to wipe the tears from my eyes. “Enough of this emotional stuff, what’s it gonna be?”
“Des… I would be honored.”
— Avery —
Shit!
I pulled my hand away from the engine, slamming down the hood of the car in frustration before examining my scraped knuckles. It was a stupid injury, caused by me trying to work on a car, when all I could focus on was Tori. I still didn’t understand what the hell happened between us being holed up in her hotel room in Chicago until the very last minute, and her sending me on a date with another woman. Was she that damned wrapped in her ‘system’ she could ignore the chemistry we both felt?
I washed my hands in the sink, then grabbed a bandage from the first aid kit to wrap my hand. I needed to get home, shower, and try to improve my mood before the date with Maya. Again, Tori popped up in my mind — specifically, the look on her face when I’d agreed to a date with Maya. But what was I supposed to do, when it was clear she was intent on continuing with this matchmaking thing?
When I stepped off the elevator in my building, and saw Des waiting by my door, my first thought was panic. Had something happened to Tori? Then I remembered she and I weren’t on our usual good terms, and I approached cautiously, wondering what she was about to say.
“I was stupid. I’m really, really sorry,” she blurted out, as soon as I was standing in front of her. “I wasn’t tr—”
I held up a hand to stop her, then grinned pulled her into a hug. “No need to say more, Des. We’re good.” I didn’t need a long, drawn out explanation, because I already knew what the problem was. Just her apology was enough for me.
“We’re good?”