“Oh my God … I need a vacation,” I mumbled into my hands in a delirious giggle.
“It’s kinda fun though, right?” she asked.
I pulled my hands away from my face and stared blankly at her.
“Think about it, we can double date.” She winked at me as Fred put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek.
“I can’t. This is too much.” I chuckled as I walked across the kitchen. “I need to hop in the shower, I’ll be right back, okay?”
I headed toward our apartment as I looked over at Brody, who was sitting on the couch with the girls watching Snow White. He had one arm tucked behind each of their heads as they all focused intently on the TV. I slowed my pace to stare at them for a minute. The sight of my three loves, snuggled up on the couch together made my heart warm.
Since my breakup with Zach, I had tried hard to make our life about structure and simplicity. Brody was the opposite of that. He was carefree and unpredictable; no day with him was the same. Hell, no hour with him was ever the same. He crashed into my life and shook it up like a snowglobe.
I had no idea my life needed him so bad.
Several hours later, Lucy and Piper’s friends had left and the family room carpet was sprinkled with enough confetti and glitter to fill a dumpster. The girls were happily showing Brody and Derek their new toys while Alexa and I cleaned up the kitchen. I had no idea where my mom and Fred were, nor did I think I wanted to know.
“Have you heard from Lauren?” I asked.
“Yeah, they’re all settled in their apartment and loving Florence. She said she’s gonna call you tonight to wish the girls Happy Birthday.”
I thought about my friend and her new husband, living in some adorable, cozy apartment in Italy. “I’m so happy for them.” I sighed blissfully.
“Agreed.” She peeked at me while she loaded the dishwasher. “I’m happy for you too.”
“Me? Why?”
“Well, actually, I’m happy for me.”
I stared at her, completely confused.
“You know me—I’m not a super romantic person,” she said.
I laughed. “I know. I always thought that was strange, considering you own a flower shop.”
“Yeah, yeah … whatever. I’m not a romantic person, but boy, do I love to be right.”
“What are you talking about?” I finally cut myself a small piece of the castle cake.
“Here, I scooped this out of the garbage a long time ago.” She walked over and handed me a small piece of paper that was crinkled and worn. “Once again, I believe that belongs to you.”
My mouth fell open when I looked down at the white strip of paper in my hand.
Oh my God, the fortune cookie from the Chinese food that night at her shop.
“I can’t believe you saved this.” I looked up at her in amazement.
She grinned at me. “I knew then what you’ve finally been brave enough to admit now. I could see it in your eyes, hear it in the way you talked about him.” She hip bumped me as she walked by. “Like I said, I love to be right.”
I curled my hand around that fortune, vowing to cherish it forever.
After Alexa rubbed it in my face a dozen more times about how right she was, she tore Derek away from the girls’ toys and left.
Brody walked up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I’d say the party was a success, the twinkies seem pretty happy.”
“Absolutely. Look at their little faces.” I rested my head against his chest and watched the girls grinning and chattering about their new haul.
“After they go to bed, remind me to hide that big purple case,” he sighed.
“Why?”
“It’s full of nail polish and makeup—they already asked if they could try it on me later.”
Tossing my head back, I laughed heartily. “You started that.”
“Started what?” Mom asked, walking into the kitchen with Fred trailing right behind her.
“Well, look what we have here,” Brody teased. “The two lovebirds.”
Mom blushed as Fred wrapped his arm around her.
“I’m happy for you two, I really am. I didn’t mean to sound weird before, I was just taken aback,” I said to my mom.
“I know that, honey. It’s okay,” she walked over, pulling me in for a hug. “I should’ve told you. That wasn’t exactly a good way to find out.”
“It was a little shocking.” I squeezed her back.
“So, Fred … what are you doing in the morning?” Brody asked.
Fred looked at him blankly. “Nothing, why?”
Brody clapped him on the shoulders. “I was just thinking that maybe we should go fishing. There are some things I’d like to talk to you about now that you’re dating Sophia.”
Fred laughed and shook Brody’s hand. “I’ll fish with you anytime, Brody.”
Standing in the kitchen with my arm around my mom, I watched Brody and Fred devour a chunk of cake while listening to the girls giggling behind me. Overcome with a sense of happiness, I reached in my back pocket and fingered the fortune from Alexa.
Thank God for rainstorms … and puddles.