MacKenzie Fire(84)

“Are you kidding me?” Andie looks at me and then Maeve. “This is the girl who two years ago single-handedly caused an entire city to stop serving buffalo meat because she convinced people that the animal was on the endangered species list.”

I frown, recalling that little nugget from my past. I don’t know why she always has to bring that up when things don’t go her way. My heart was in the right place.

“It’s not my fault Google lied,” I say in my defense.

Andie bugs her eyes out at me. “Google is not a person, okay? I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that.”

I look towards the door, thinking a nap might be a good plan for me right now. A nap behind a locked door. I’m not sure I can manage Andie’s mood swings with the grace that’s probably called for in this situation.

Maeve cuts in to save me. “Well, buffalo aren’t endangered exactly, but they certainly aren’t as common nowadays as they used to be. And cattle are much more plentiful, so maybe it’s not a bad thing if people give the buffalo herds a chance to grow bigger.”

I point to Maeve. “Yeah, see? I was doing you guys a favor. Do you know how much business you’ll lose if everyone starts eating buffalo? A lot, that’s how much. And then how will you pay for Sarah’s college?” I nod to drive my point home.

Andie looks at me with no expression, just blinking a few times. That scares me more than any mood she might have been in before. This is her lawyer face, and she’s a really good lawyer.

Andie lowers her head a fraction, never breaking eye contact. “Tell me what I want to know.”

I could fight her, but I realize it’s pointless. She’s like a dog with a tasty bone sometimes. One of those bulldogs that gets lockjaw.

“Fine. You want to know so bad? I’ll tell you. Maeve and I …”

Maeve holds up her hand. “Just to be clear, I wasn’t exactly part of the planning committee.”

“Hey!”

Andie holds up her hand to stop us from having the side argument that I was planning to use to distract Andie. Dammit.

“I know, Maeve,” she says. “She ropes people into her schemes all the time.” Andie goes back to staring at me, waiting, silently demanding my explanation.

I am so ready to leave this place. Some mean bitch has taken over my best friend’s body and turned her into someone I would never hang out with.

I stand, making the chair scrape across the floor. “You know what? I need a nap.”

Andie grabs my wrist. “Sit. Stay. Have some coffee.” Her voice is a tiny bit less mean, but it’s still not good enough to make me want to listen.

“No, thanks. I’m all coffeed out for one day.” I turn to go, but she still has me in her grip. I’d yank myself away from her, but I’m afraid Sarah will end up on the floor.

“Please? For me?”

I grit my teeth and glare down at her. “Your emotional roller coaster is giving me whiplash, Andie.”

She starts crying. “I know.” She’s weeping as the words come out. “Me too.”

“Oh, poor baby!” Maeve exclaims, rushing over to kneel down and pat her on the back. “It’s okay, sweetie, everything is going to be fine!”

Andie looks down at Sarah, still holding me in her kung fu death grip. “I love her so much! Why do I keep crying about it?”

“Baby blues,” Maeve says, smoothing her hair on her head. “It’s totally normal. You’re just hormonal. It’ll go away on its own or we can get you some medication. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

I sit down across from her, feeling bad that I jumped to the conclusion that my friend was consciously being awful to me. She finally lets me go, leaving red marks behind on my skin.

“I’m sorry, Andie,” I say, letting go of all my plans for future pouting. “Don’t be mad at me.”

Andie shakes her head. “I’m not mad at you. I love you. I could never be mad at you.”

I try to smile. “Even though I tried to plan a baby shower for you and it didn’t work out?”

“You did that for me?” Her crying goes on pause.

“No, I just told you. I tried to do it but it didn’t work out.” I give Maeve a knowing look. “But I’m pretty sure I know why now, though. And I’m on it, believe me.”

Maeve lifts an eyebrow.

“Do I want to know what you’re talking about?” Andie asks, sniffing as she wipes her nose on her sleeve. She sounds exhausted.

“No, you do not.” I nod my head once for emphasis. “Ian’s helping me, so don’t worry.” I look at Andie’s mother-in-law. “Maeve, you’re off the hook.”

“Oh. Good. I think.”

“So, do I get to hold that dang baby or what?” I ask, huffing out some air in annoyance. Time to change the subject.

Andie gives me a watery smile. “Of course you can. You’re her godmother.” She hands the bundle over to me and makes sure I have a good grip before she lets go.

“Good. Finally.” I look down at Sarah who has miraculously fallen asleep, even in the middle of all the drama. She’s already tough as nails, apparently. “Open your eyes, baby girl. You need to memorize my face before I leave.”