Joanna raised her glass. “To our huge family.”
As we all clinked glasses, Laura added, “And to Kim for extending hers.”
We sat at that round wooden table for hours, making plans and telling stories. We had to figure out who had the best stroller to give to Kim, who was available this weekend to help Joanna paint her playroom, and who wanted to come to a fancy furniture store opening with me tomorrow night.
“Ray is going to be swamped showing off his new designs to the owners and interior designers,” I explained. “I’m just dropping in for an hour to support him, and because the food is supposed to be incredible.”
“I’ll come,” Kim said brightly. “Finally, an exclusive event that I heard about before Devin did.”
My phone buzzed, and I checked to see Ray’s text.
Ray: Hope you’re having a great time at girls’ night, kitten. Take your time, even though I miss you.
Looking up, I saw that everyone was checking their phone. “Must be ten o’clock,” Joanna laughed.
Me: I’ll be home in an hour. Miss you too.
Ray: I need you, kitten.
The thrill of a tingling shudder running through me never wore off.
Me: I’ll be home in fifty-three minutes.
Ray: That’s my girl.
Looking around the table, every one of us was grinning into their phones, eyes lit up from the blue-white light, and the loving messages from our husbands.
“This New Year’s, let’s make another pact,” I said. “The first one worked out really well.”
“But we already have everything we could have dreamed of,” Laura smiled.
“Yeah, so let’s think outside the circle,” I said.
“Like, wishing for world peace?” Becca grinned.
Joanna cocked her head, thinking. “Or something a bit smaller, like a new wing for the Children’s Hospital.”
“We’ll think of something,” I nodded.
As my friends, my sisters, all smiled together, I wondered what the next chapter of our lives would bring. Together, we were indestructible, resourceful, and super creative. Our next mission, whatever it turned out to be, was guaranteed to be incredible.
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