In a Book Club Far Away(70)

“I will.”

She hung up and turned to the French doors, where her friends lingered in the kitchen, and then down to her oatmeal, which was now undoubtedly cold. Her tummy rumbled with renewed vigor. It was time to get better, and to be better.





CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Regina




“I just couldn’t believe Sophie’s audacity,” Regina said to Henry later that night, voice croaking. Her fingers and forearms strained with the weight of the bags of decorations she was carrying. “To assume that I could just forget.” She stopped, then set the bags down. “Can we rest for a sec?”

“Sure.” Henry rotated slowly, tipping sideways to balance the mesh cornhole game tucked under one arm and the toddler bowling set under the other. “Let me get this straight. Because of what Sophie did, you and your ex were transferred to Georgia.”

She’d been explaining the complicated story of her and Sophie’s friendship and the blowup that basically ended it, the details she’d skipped in their DMs. “That’s the short of it.”

“But you were already hoping to move there.”

“Yes, because both our parents lived in the state, but Logan was rushed out, essentially right after I gave birth to Miko, which was complete chaos.”

“And you had proof that it was Sophie who put the nail in the coffin.”

She lifted the bags again and grunted. “Not technically, but yes.”

“But not technically.”

She speared him a look.

“Look, we have scales in the kitchen for a specific reason. Cups of flour end up drastically different depending on who’s measuring them. And now that I’ve changed the subject I have an idea,” he said. “How about we drop this off at the shop to keep it out of sight? I don’t think everything will fit in the trunk of your car.”

“You sure?” Regina sighed, then picked her bags back up. They resumed their slow trudge toward Burg Street. “I really should have planned this better. I should have told you to stop me when I went above and beyond my list. Party stores are my catnip.”

“When are you planning to put these up if Adelaide’s home?” He said over his shoulder.

“My plan is to put Genevieve down for a nap as soon as Sophie and Adelaide leave for her appointment. It’s at Alexandria General, and they should take at least an hour if you include check-in time. I’ve got Missy—Adelaide’s friend—at the ready. She’ll bring her army of friends over after Adelaide’s gone to help me set up.”

“I can try to be available, pending, of course, the schedule. And I’ve got storage at the shop. Not to worry.”

“Have I said thank you already?”

“You have.” He grinned. “But I don’t mind hearing it again.”

“You are absolutely the best.”

“Oh, yes. More.”

“I owe you not just one, but two or three favors for how awesome you’ve been.”

“I love it, keep them coming.” He laughed.

“Don’t push your luck, buddy.” She rolled her eyes just for effect, though her body felt light despite the bags weighing her down. Henry knew how to speak to her, to inject levity and humor, and even some flirtation, in between the tough conversations. It helped to keep everything in perspective, including the kiss they shared the other night.

“Still trucking back there? I can see the shop’s light!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming.”

After the next block, they crossed the street, and with the awning of Just Cakes within view, they passed another shop that displayed a wedding dress with its skirt stretched to the width of the window. Regina slowed, eyeing the charm of it all. “I love that everything is right here on this street. Just Cakes”—she looked up at the wedding shop’s name—“Rings and Roses. La Cremerie. Old Town Flowers. Have I mentioned I wanted to live in this area? I wanted to get stationed here.”

“You’re here now, sort of stationed. What do you all call it?”

“TDY,” she said. “Temporary duty.”

“TDY. So it worked out.” They’d made it to Just Cakes, and he set down the boxes to unlock the door.

“It did.” But in the back of her mind, a thought arose. Was it too late, or too hasty, to do one more thing she wanted? “Do you know what they used to say?”

“What did they used to say?” The bell rang with a chime as he stepped in.

Regina followed him in, grunting. “What happens on TDY stays on TDY.”

“Really now?” He set the boxes down, and he turned and eyed her. The look, and the fact that they were alone in a darkened space, caused her to shift her feet. She sucked in a breath to settle herself.

He approached her, stopping less than a foot away. She stilled, the air around her warming. “Here, let me grab that from you,” he said. “I’ll make room behind the counter.”

“Okay.” She swallowed the moment, orienting herself as he relieved her of the bags. She shook out her limbs as she watched him stack the decor.

“Would you like a tour? Of the kitchen?” he said after a few moments.

And once again, the vibe changed. Curiosity took hold. This was the kitchen she’d seen in part through Just Cakes’ photo feed and stories. “Um, yes!”