Twenty-Six
Lilly
“Doesn’t she look like preppy housewife meets biker chick?” Mara asks as I approach the bench she and Hope are occupying.
“What?” I run my gaze over Hope. In her faded jeans, silver ballet flats, and soft blue leather jacket, Mara’s description is pretty dead-on. “Where on earth did you find a biker jacket in that color?” I ask instead of acknowledging Mara’s comment. “It’s really pretty.”
Hope glances down and runs her hand over the sleeves. “Rock found it. I have a couple versions in different colors.” She frowns. “I think he cut the size tag out of this one though. Nothing in my usual size seems to accommodate my new mom boobs, but—”
Mara bursts into giggles. “He’s a genius.” When she’s done laughing, she jumps up and hugs me tight. “I haven’t seen you in so damn long!” She stands back and gives me a once-over. “Talk about new mom boobs. Jesus.”
“Uh, thanks.” I cinch my sweater tighter and Mara rolls her eyes. “Own those curves, Lilly. You worked hard for them.”
“The boobs are fine. It’s the stretch marks that annoy me,” I mutter.
Hope flicks something off her pants and snickers. “I’m pretty sure certain types of men love those changes. It is a visual reminder of their virility after all.”
Mara howls with laughter. “Nailed it.”
Baby Grace screams for attention. “Oooo, did your Auntie Mara wake you up with her banshee shrieks?” Hope coos, lifting her daughter out of her stroller.
“Banshee.” Mara tsks. “More like Amazonian warrior woman.”
Hope glances over. “You’re too short to be an Amazon woman.”
“Whatever.”
A wave of warmth flows over me. If I was an emotional sort of person, I might cry. Instead, I force a smile. “Crap, I missed you two.”
“We missed you too,” Hope says softly. She glances up and frowns. “Shoot. Where did Birch go? Alexa!” She darts off after Alexa and Mara scoots closer to me.
“How are you really, Lilly?” she asks.
r /> “Fine. I’m guessing Hope told you?”
“She gave me the highlights.” She rests her hand over mine. “You could’ve told me, you know. I know we’ve never been as close, but I hate thinking of you doing all this stuff alone.”
Now, tears do well up and I fight them back. “Thanks, Mara. I appreciate that.” I squeeze her hand back. “How’s that big scary dominant husband of yours?”
She shimmies her shoulders. “Scary as ever.”
“And you love every second.”
“I do.” She sits back. “Are you going back to your job at the legislature?”
A ball of lead lands in my gut. Cold beads of sweat roll down the side of my face. “Um, no, two of the uh, senators I was assigned to were swept up in that corruption sting. I’m sure my resume would be flagged if—”
“That’s bullshit. You can’t be blamed for that. You have the degree. Years of experience.”
“Yeah, but it’s all who you know and I’m sort of out of touch with everyone now. Tainted.”
She bites her lip. “Well, if Damon or I can help you in any way, let me know. He’s running for one of those open seats, I bet he could use a policy analyst.”
Surprise and maybe a little hope sparks in my chest. The people who so viciously pushed me out are gone. Awaiting trial. Damon probably could help me start over.
But could I ever go back there?
Cora leads Chance over to us and I hold out my arms to give Mara’s daughter a hug. “Look how big you’ve gotten.” I glance at Mara. “She’s totally your mini-me.”
“I know.” Mara reaches over and smooths Cora’s red-gold waves down. “She starts kindergarten in the fall.”
“Seriously?” I turn to Cora again. “I remember when you were this big.” I hold my hands about a foot apart and Cora wrinkles her nose, not at all impressed.
Hope returns with Alexa who crawls up onto the bench next to Hope and Grace. Chance squeezes in between Hope and me. Frustrated with the lack of attention from the younger ones, Cora asks to go back and play on the swing set.
“Right there,” Mara points to the closest swing. “Where I can see you.”
“She and Alexa are tight, but babies don’t interest her all that much.” Mara laughs.
“Are you sure you don’t want to add to your happy little family?” Hope teases.
“I’m sure,” Mara says. “We’re perfect. If I need a baby fix, I’ve got you now.”
“Happy to help.”
The rumble of a motorcycle makes me pick up my head and scan the parking lot. Not Z, but the figure who climbs off looks familiar.
Hope’s mouth twitches into a smile.
“One bodyguard isn’t enough?” Mara elbows Hope and nods at Birch, who was watching the kids on the playground.
“Hi, Murphy,” Hope calls out.
“Daddy!” Alexa jumps down and toddles over the grass until Murphy scoops her up.
“What are you doing here?” Hope asks.
“Was hoping to meet up with Heidi for a minute. She’s not here yet?”
Hope checks her phone. “Should be another fifteen minutes.”
“Okay cool. Thanks for hanging out with Alexa.”
“Of course.” Hope pats the bench next to her and he eyes the three of us warily. “Am I interrupting?”
“Nope.” Mara squints at Murphy and wiggles her eyebrows. “You look good on that beast. Now, I’m trying to think of how to talk Damon into a motorcycle.”
Murphy bellows with laughter. “I imagine the good judge prefers a flashy, imported cage.”
Hope reaches over and pats Murphy’s leg. “Murphy’s the road captain for the club. So, if Damon ever wants to ride—”
“I can help him out,” Murphy finishes.