The Friends We Keep

“You still haven’t heard from him?”


“No. Nothing. Just that one text. A couple of my friends heard he moved and I told them we broke up a few weeks ago.”

Gabby supposed she should chide her for lying, but didn’t have it in her. “I’m sorry he was a jerk.”

“Me, too. I’m never having another boyfriend.”

“Yeah, that will last fifteen minutes.”

“It’s going to last nine months. Or longer.” They stepped off the escalator. “No one’s going to want to go out with a single mother who’s still in high school. My life is over.”

The tears returned. Gabby pulled her to the side of the entrance and put her hands on the girl’s upper arms.

“Stop,” she said firmly. “Yes, there’s a lot to deal with, but there’s no point in worrying about it all, right this second. Boyd is gone. He turned out to be a very bad boyfriend and I’m sorry he hurt you. That’s something reasonable to be thinking about right now. We’re going to go try on dresses for you, because school starts soon. After you pick out some dresses, we are going to go spend a ridiculous amount of money on new shoes because I think it will help. Am I wrong?”

Makayla surprised her by hugging her. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You’re the only one I can count on, Gabby. You’re being so nice.”

The words surprised her. “I love you, Makayla. Sometimes you’re really annoying, but even then, I love you. You know that, right?” The words were automatic. It took Gabby a second to figure out she meant them. She wasn’t sure when that had happened, but it had. Somehow the disaster of the pregnancy had brought them together.

Makayla was crying again, but Gabby figured it didn’t matter because she was fighting a few tears of her own.

“We’re a mess,” she whispered. “Both of us.”

“Yeah, but soon we’ll be messes with new shoes.”





Chapter Twenty-Two

Nicole resisted the need to ask, yet again “How are you feeling?” Hayley had said she was doing better and Nicole needed to take her at her word.

They were sitting out in Nicole’s backyard, enjoying the warm afternoon. Tyler was at a friend’s birthday party. Rob was helping a friend with a car and Jairus was still on book tour. Not that Nicole would have expected to spend the day with him, had he been home.

They were in touch every day. Texting, mostly, with the occasional phone call. There had been a few pictures of his fans waiting to meet him and one very funny video of his empty hotel room, with the title No hookers here.

She hated to admit it, but she kind of missed him.

“Did you go Thursday?” Hayley asked.

Nicole raised her eyebrows. “To Supper’s in the Bag? Yes. I depend on those meals. Shannon joined us. Morgan is not a happy camper.”

The corner of Hayley’s mouth twitched. “Gee, that’s too bad.”

Nicole laughed. “She is so missing you. I don’t think she had any idea how much work you did for her. Are you really not going back?”

“I sent my resignation last week. I haven’t heard from her since. Or before. We had a fight after I got home from the hospital.”

“Let me guess. She said you were being selfish with your surgery and she needed you to get back to work right away.”

“You were spying.”

“I’m a good guesser.”

Nicole studied her friend, taking in the faint bloom of color on her cheeks and sparkle of health in her eyes. Although she was still recovering from her emergency hysterectomy, Hayley looked better than she had in months. Maybe years. Nicole would guess it was a combination of rest, not being on hormones and not bleeding anymore. Hayley might not like the outcome, but at least the question had been answered.

“How’s work?” Nicole asked.

Hayley rolled her eyes. “Ridiculous and nonexistent. My leave has been extended.”

“Accept the coddling in the spirit in which it is meant.”

“I’m trying, but everyone is treating me like I’m some delicate flower.”

“You kind of are.”

“Not really. How are things at the studio?”

“Great. I have lots of clients and have added two more classes, so yay.” Nicole thought about the envelope tucked in her dresser drawer. “I saw Eric last weekend.”

“You mean he showed up to see Tyler? Isn’t that a surprise?”

“It was. He took him to lunch. Tyler said it wasn’t very fun. They don’t know each other anymore. It’s sad.” She shifted in her chair. “He, um, gave me two tickets to the screening or opening or whatever for his movie.”

Hayley’s eyes widened. “Seriously? Okay, is it just me or is that strange?”

“I thought it was. He says it’s because I was a big part of him writing the screenplay.”

Hayley snorted. “You mean you supported his ass while he typed and surfed.”

“Look who has attitude.”