If she stayed here, it would be work, work, work. She’d end up back in her office, prepping everything for when the insurance company opened in the morning, worrying over the ‘what ifs’ of financial forecasting when realistically, all she wanted to do was curl up on the sofa with a vat of wine and massage her hands, sore from scrubbing at the graffiti. It had been an extremely long day.
‘Is Jack putting the kids to bed as part of his “sharing the responsibilities” thing?’ Laurel asked.
‘Yeah.’ Rebecca grinned. ‘Oh, and we’ve put the baby talk on the back burner as well.’
Laurel sat up.
‘So, you’ve agreed, you’re not having another?’
‘We’re not having another right now,’ Rebecca said carefully, running her finger around the rim of her wine glass.
‘But you’re thinking about it?’ Laurel probed.
‘I told him that I’d consider it again in a year,’ Rebecca raised an eyebrow, ‘if he still wants one. I’ve made him promise to go on an abroad holiday and then we’ll have that conversation again.’
Laurel raised her glass to her friend. ‘You’ve worked that really, really well.’
‘Well, I want the twins to go somewhere with both of us, for longer than a couple of days, out of the country. You know, villa with a pool, by the beach. They’d absolutely love it.’
Talking about where Rebecca and Jack could take the twins on holiday was like slipping on a pair of comfy old slippers.
‘The next time we go, you and Nate can come as well,’ Rebecca teased.
‘Ha, ha, very funny.’ Laurel narrowed her eyes at her sister-in-law.
‘How’s it going with him?’ Rebecca looked over her garden.
Laurel shrugged, but couldn’t suppress a smile. ‘It’s fine.’
‘Oh, don’t give me that,’ Rebecca crowed. ‘You haven’t told me anything about last night, and I want to know. Now. Tell me.’
‘God, I haven’t told you! The BAS are endorsing the site for funding!’ Laurel grinned.
‘Laurel, that’s amazing. You must be so pleased. Congratulations!’
‘I’m so relieved, Rebecca. You’ve got no idea.’ She sipped her wine.
Rebecca rubbed her arm. ‘You’re doing a good job, Laurel. Good work.’
‘Nate and I were celebrating in the pub, and then your stupid husband called and all hell broke loose, but…’ Laurel shot a smile at Rebecca. ‘Nate’s invited me to a barbeque with his friends next weekend.’
‘So, the top worked then? Not too try hard at all.’ Rebecca wiggled her eyebrows.
‘Uh, nothing like that. Just friends, Rebecca.’
They were just friends. Nothing had been said about a date, nothing had changed between them. Just friends. That’s it.
‘You’re meeting his friends? That’s a big deal.’ Rebecca leaned back in her seat. ‘Thatisa big deal,’ she repeated.
‘No, it’s not, it’s just a barbeque,’ Laurel said dismissively.
‘You’re blushing,’ Rebecca said quietly. ‘Laurel Fletcher, you are blushing. You really like him.’
‘Yeah, so what if I do?’ Laurel huffed, gulping at her wine and crossing her arms defensively. ‘Anyway, I’ve got to go.’
‘Oh Laurel, I’m only teasing. Don’t be annoyed,’ Rebecca whined, following her into the kitchen. Laurel deposited her glass on the side.
‘I know,’ she said, heading for the door. ‘I just want to lie on the sofa and watch crap TV and eat crisps. And possibly have some more wine. But not too much, work tomorrow.’
