Room for You(85)

“Agreed.” She peeked at me while she loaded the dishwasher. “I’m happy for you too.”

“Me? Why?”

“Well, actually, I’m happy for me.”

I stared at her, completely confused.

“You know me—I’m not a super romantic person,” she said.

I laughed. “I know. I always thought that was strange, considering you own a flower shop.”

“Yeah, yeah … whatever. I’m not a romantic person, but boy, do I love to be right.”

“What are you talking about?” I finally cut myself a small piece of the castle cake.

“Here, I scooped this out of the garbage a long time ago.” She walked over and handed me a small piece of paper that was crinkled and worn. “Once again, I believe that belongs to you.”

My mouth fell open when I looked down at the white strip of paper in my hand.





Oh my God, the fortune cookie from the Chinese food that night at her shop.

“I can’t believe you saved this.” I looked up at her in amazement.

She grinned at me. “I knew then what you’ve finally been brave enough to admit now. I could see it in your eyes, hear it in the way you talked about him.” She hip bumped me as she walked by. “Like I said, I love to be right.”

I curled my hand around that fortune, vowing to cherish it forever.

After Alexa rubbed it in my face a dozen more times about how right she was, she tore Derek away from the girls’ toys and left.

Brody walked up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I’d say the party was a success, the twinkies seem pretty happy.”

“Absolutely. Look at their little faces.” I rested my head against his chest and watched the girls grinning and chattering about their new haul.

“After they go to bed, remind me to hide that big purple case,” he sighed.

“Why?”

“It’s full of nail polish and makeup—they already asked if they could try it on me later.”

Tossing my head back, I laughed heartily. “You started that.”

“Started what?” Mom asked, walking into the kitchen with Fred trailing right behind her.

“Well, look what we have here,” Brody teased. “The two lovebirds.”

Mom blushed as Fred wrapped his arm around her.

“I’m happy for you two, I really am. I didn’t mean to sound weird before, I was just taken aback,” I said to my mom.

“I know that, honey. It’s okay,” she walked over, pulling me in for a hug. “I should’ve told you. That wasn’t exactly a good way to find out.”

“It was a little shocking.” I squeezed her back.

“So, Fred … what are you doing in the morning?” Brody asked.

Fred looked at him blankly. “Nothing, why?”

Brody clapped him on the shoulders. “I was just thinking that maybe we should go fishing. There are some things I’d like to talk to you about now that you’re dating Sophia.”

Fred laughed and shook Brody’s hand. “I’ll fish with you anytime, Brody.”

Standing in the kitchen with my arm around my mom, I watched Brody and Fred devour a chunk of cake while listening to the girls giggling behind me. Overcome with a sense of happiness, I reached in my back pocket and fingered the fortune from Alexa.

Thank God for rainstorms … and puddles.





“Stop obsessing, you look terrific.” Brody walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist as I stopped to check my refection in the mirror for the hundredth time that morning.

“I’m just so nervous, I feel like I’m gonna puke.”

“Then kiss me now.” He laughed as he spun me around by my hips and planted his lips firmly on mine, causing my stress to evaporate faster with each gentle swipe of his tongue.

“Oh my God,” I said against his lips. “I’m gonna be late.”

“It’d be worth it.” He groaned as he trailed kisses down my neck.

“I’m sure it would.” I let my head fall back, enjoying the feel of his lips exploring my skin. “But, it’s my first day. I can’t be late.”

I gently pushed him off of me and kissed the tip of his nose. “Save that for later, okay?”

“Deal.” He grinned.

I checked my appearance one more time.

New blue scrubs, check.

New shoes, check.

Lucky silver necklace, check.

Today was the first day of my externship and my nerves were a mess. I wanted to make a good first impression, but there was no chance of that happening if I couldn’t get my hands to stop shaking long enough to put eyeliner on, let alone insert an IV.

“I think I’m ready,” I said a few minutes later as I walked into the kitchen. Brody and the girls were sitting at the island eating waffles, the cozy smell of syrup loomed in the air. A morsel of jealousy sat in my stomach as I packed up my lunch and thought about them hanging out here all day while I was at the hospital. I was also incredibly thankful that Brody was willing to babysit my kids all day. Figures the one day my mom had a doctor’s appointment and couldn’t help me would be the first day of my program.

“Thanks for staying with them today.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.