In a Book Club Far Away(45)

“And thanks, too, for keeping it secret for now. I’m not ready to tell the rest of the world, not until I’m further along.”

That halted Adelaide, and she sat back on her heels. A pain started in her chest, and Adelaide bit her lip to temper her jealousy. She should’ve been happy for Regina, end of sentence. “I totally get it. Your secret is safe with us.”

“You’re amazing at this, Adelaide.”

Adelaide looked up to Regina, who was watching her from the kitchen. Her cheeks warmed at the compliment. “Do you mean volunteering myself to make your bedroom into one of my design experiments?”

“Yes, exactly that. First, for coming over today when you could be planning your trip to your parents’, and second, the painting. It’s so overwhelming to figure out what to buy and where, and honestly I wasn’t expecting to have a nursery. We’re due to move right after the baby’s born.”

“Nonsense. Can you imagine the kind of empty boxes we’d live in if we didn’t actually settle into our homes? You’ve got to make it like we belong here, or we never will. Besides, what we’re doing isn’t hard to rehab whenever it’s time to go.”

“Still! You got right down to the core of what I wanted for the nursery. I feel like you were made for this.”

Adelaide shrugged. “That part’s easy for me. Kind of the one thing I’m good at.” She dipped the brush into the paint can once more, continuing her work. “With everything else, I’m a Jill-of-all-trades and a mistress of none. My path has been a pretzel. I have a business degree but never used it. We moved all the time and I’ve been”—she counted it out on her hand—“a substitute teacher, a post day-care worker, a Gap seasonal cashier, and a part-time administrative assistant. All good jobs, but none that spoke to me as a career.”

Saying it all aloud made her chest flutter in mild panic. Like she was lost and couldn’t find her way out of the woods.

How was it possible to feel lost despite being around friends and without any real worry?

It was possible.

Because she’d thought she’d be pregnant by now. She’d thought she’d have a family. She hadn’t insisted on solidifying a career because children were supposed to be on the horizon.

And yet.

And yet.

Regina spoke over the oil sizzling in the pan, and the fragrant scent of garlic wafted through the room. “That basically tells me you’re good at everything. You’re great at coordination. I think there’s a career in that. And I mean, you did start the best book club in the whole world.”

Regina’s words knocked Adelaide out of her spiraling thoughts, thank goodness. “Speaking of book club, how’s your planning?”

Regina had volunteered to host the next meeting. “I was giving it some thought. Since we’re skipping December and this is the first book of the New Year, it should be something good.”

Adelaide’s ears perked. Regina, doing research? About book club? She stood and went to the kitchen, and leaned on the doorframe. “Yeah?”

Regina pan-fried the veggies and added cooked rice. “I’ve been hearing about this great nonfiction.”

Adelaide leveled her with a look. “Regina Castro—nonfiction. Really?”

“Yes?” An eyebrow scrunched down.

“I…” Obviously everything was surprising her these days, “Never mind. Okay, I’m listening. This nonfiction.”

“Bossypants. Have you heard of it? It’s Tina Fey’s memoir.”

This was getting more and more interesting. “Of course I have.”

“It felt, I dunno, perfect for what we are now: Bosses. And since Colleen did start the precedence with the escape room.”

Adelaide read the woman’s mind. “Are you planning a road trip?”

“Yes! I found a travel agency that plans overnight trips to New York City. While being on an actual tour, we get to hit the highlights, maybe opt to tour NBC Studios. This could be a good way to get out of here without any of us truly taking the responsibility of driving there. There are tours in February, and that will give time for everyone to read the book during the holidays.”

“I love that idea.” Adelaide nodded.

“It makes me want to read the book, too.” Regina sprinkled salt and pepper, and added soy sauce to the fried rice, causing Adelaide to drool. “Though I have to admit, I’m being selfish. I’m not sure how hard travel is going to be with a baby. I’m considering this one of my last hurrahs. Soon I’ll be inundated with diapers and strollers and baby gear. Which I have to find room for.” She gestured at the growing mound of still-boxed baby gear in the living room situated around a lit but sparse Christmas tree.

“I’ll help you get organized once the room is painted,” Adelaide reassured. Admittedly Regina’s place still had the vibe of a college dorm. Adelaide could do a number with a modest budget. “Your kitchen, though. Your kitchen is always so clean and neat. You know where every pot and pan and Tupperware cover’s at. And you have every cool kitchen tool.”

“Only because Logan isn’t here to mess this place up. But kitchen stuff is fun because everything I make in here goes into my belly.” Regina created a well in the rice dish and cracked an egg into it. As it cooked, Regina walked past her and to the bedroom. “Wow. What a difference a day makes. I didn’t realize how much natural light was in here.”