Unexpected Arrivals(92)
Down the escalator came my best friend and her boyfriend. I jumped up, not bothering to elaborate on the topic James and I were discussing, and took off toward them. We met in the middle of baggage claim in an embrace. When she finally pulled back, her hands remained on my forearms like she was appraising me.
“Unemployment looks fantastic on you, and so does that tan. Are you living in the sand and sun?”
When she took my hands in hers, the light bounced off her finger and the giant diamond perched on the fourth one. “Oh. My. God. When did this happen?” I let go of her to use all ten of my fingers to inspect the engagement ring she’d waited so long for.
When I could finally focus on something other than the blinding sparkle from the two carats set in platinum, I glanced at James to show him her hand before meeting her eyes. They glistened with tears of happiness.
“He proposed two days ago. I was going to call you, I swear. Neil thought it would be better to tell you in person so we could all celebrate. Don’t be mad.” She poked out her bottom lip just slightly. I couldn’t have cared less that she hadn’t called—I was just grateful she was here.
James clapped Neil on the shoulder. “It’s about damn time. You’re lucky she waited. How many years has it been? Nine? Ten?”
“Eleven. Eleven years,” Hannah answered for Neil with a chortle. Even if he’d never proposed, she wouldn’t have left. They were as right together as James and I were.
“At least my girl didn’t take a two-year, international hiatus.” This was an ongoing ribbing between James and Neil, and thankfully, they usually left me out of it—even though I was the one who’d left.
“I hate to tell you, Mr. Carpenter, your stats aren’t much better. We had a decade under our belt when you finally got serious.” I loved to jab him.
“High school hardly counts, and again, you left for two years—so by default, those two things take off three and half years. I should get credit for having the ring even if it wasn’t on your finger.”
“Hard to wear a rock without a setting.” Hannah giggled, clearly proud of her smartass insertion into the conversation.
“I’m wounded, Hannah. Here I thought we were pals, amigos, compadres—the first chance you get, you throw me to the wolves.” James was so melodramatic.
However, it all felt so normal. The four of us. Together. I’d have a hard time when they left, but I was determined to enjoy them while they were here.
By the time we’d grabbed their bags and driven back to Geneva Key, the afternoon had gotten away from us. Together, with our best friends, we strolled the beach and picked up shells. We had dinner on the patio of a restaurant I didn’t know existed even though I’d walked by a dozen times. With dessert and drinks, we ended the perfect evening listening to the waves crash against the shore and the few lone gulls cry into the night. As the breeze blew strands of hair against my face, I watched the tiny flame in the centerpiece flicker, yet never go out. The sounds of friendship lingered around the table, and my heart was full.
The next day, James sold his half of the company to Neil. They’d spent the morning with the Carpenters’ attorney, and we hadn’t heard from them. I worried what frame of mind James would be in when he and Neil got back. Although, I had to admit I hadn’t been prepared for the smiles and overall joy that lit up his features.
When I got a second to pull him aside, I whispered, “Are you really all right with this?”
He kissed my lips and smacked my ass. “Baby, I’m thrilled. Life is good.” And the truth was written on his face.
***
“So when do we get to meet the little urchin?” Neil was excited to meet his best friend’s son.
“Cora’s grandmother is bringing him home around lunch.”
“How’s that going, Cora?” The concern on Neil’s face was endearing.
“Really well. It’s not going to fix itself overnight, even so, I think we’re both trying. And that’s about all we can do right now. Legend makes it a lot easier.”
“Does anyone have any idea why his mom gave him such an…odd name?” Hannah had chosen her words carefully as not to offend James, but he’d wondered the same thing.
“We haven’t asked.” I wanted to. However, with everything else going on, it seemed to be at the bottom of the list of things to question.
Before the conversation of namesakes could continue, the front door flew open as the doorbell rang. Gwendolyn tried to respect the Carpenters, while Legend had already made himself at home.
“Daddy, look what Dottie got me.” He flew through the foyer and into the breakfast area where the four of us sat, bypassing Neil, Hannah, and me, in favor of launching himself into his father’s lap.
I realized when I saw Neil’s expression change how odd it must be for other people to hear Legend call James “Daddy,” but it didn’t sound foreign to my ears—it sounded like magic.
“What is it?” James stared at the toy as though he’d never seen one before, playing into the wonder of his son’s amazement.
“A Nerf gun!”
Before anyone could warn him not to shoot it in the house, he popped off three right in a row, one of which bounced off my chair.
He bowed his head as though he were ashamed. “I’m sorry, Cora.” He wasn’t able to hide the grin that made his cheeks round, and I could tell he was trying to disguise his amusement.