“We’re not talking about Ezra.” My mom’s best friends with his mother Beth, and they’re both heartbroken he and I didn’t work out. “He cheated on me, Mom.” I never gave her the full story, because it was too painful to talk about, not to mention embarrassing.
“I’m not trying to rationalize his behavior, but I’m guessing he’s matured a lot since that happened, and he definitely regrets how he treated you.”
“That’s doubtful. Look, I need to go.”
“Darling, wait. I’m sorry. I won’t bring him up again. You’re doing what’s right for you, and I support that. I’m just sad.”
I nod. “I’m sad too.” Not because I lost a fiancé, but because I lost what that meant—having my own family. Having someone who supported me the way I supported him. Really, what my parents have. “But I’ll survive.”
“I know, sweetheart. You’re strong.”
No, I’m not, but I’m getting there.
5
NICK
“Daddy, these awe so pwetty,” Hazel says as she leans in to sniff the roses I bought for our neighbors.
“Don’t squish them, honey. You can carry them if you promise not to drop them.”
Her eyes light up. “I can do that.”
After I grab the pizza box, I open the front door and follow my daughter outside. As we reach Abigail and Paige’s house, I realize my hands are clammy. I wipe them on my jeans before I knock on the door.
How do you thank the women who possibly saved your daughter’s life? Surely pizza and flowers aren’t enough, but maybe it’s a start.
Paige opens the door with a smile, and I hold up the pizza. “Hey, Paige. Hazel and I wanted to thank you guys for everything you did the other day. We’re really grateful.”
My daughter hops up and down and knocks a few petals to the ground. “We bwought you flowas and pizza.”
I clear my throat. “Yes, flowers and pizza.” I read somewhere it’s better not to outright correct my child so I don’t embarrass her, but rather to model the proper pronunciation. “Hope you guys like pepperoni.”
“Why don’t y’all come in?” Paige opens the door wider. “Abby!” she calls out behind her. “Our neighbors brought us food!” Paige grins at me. “Abby was just telling me she was craving pizza.”
“Perfect.”
Their house is basically the mirror image of ours. Same living room setup. Same dining room. Same picture window. I glance up. Same awning window above it.
I chuckle to myself when I remember how Abby squeezed through mine. Damn, that was a sight. If I hadn’t been shitting my pants, scared to death something bad was happening to my daughter, I would’ve appreciated the moment more. Because her legs? They were a thing of beauty. Her ass? Round as a summer peach. Her tits? Fucking gorgeous.
I shake my head and try to clear my mind of the memory because it would be really awkward to walk in here with an erection.
You’re here to thank Abby, asshole, not perv on her.
She trots out wearing duck pajama pants, a t-shirt, and giant bunny slippers. She looks adorable. I can’t quite keep track of her style. One second, she’s got a bloody knee and a hole in her khakis, the next, she’s a vixen in a tiny little dress, and now she’s ready for a pajama party.
She slides to a halt when she sees us. “Oh, hey.” She pushes her glasses up her nose and tucks a loose strand of hair that’s fallen out from her messy bun behind her ear. “Is everything okay?”
“Sorry to intrude, but Hazel and I wanted to thank you and Paige for coming to the rescue the other day. So we brought you some dinner.” I hold up the box of pizza. It was a fluke that I was close to home when I got her message. I honestly don’t know how to thank her for what she did.
She takes a tentative step closer. “Um. Thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Of course we did. Hazel.” I nudge her forward. “Give the girls their flowers.” My daughter runs up to Paige and hands her the white roses, then heads for Abby to give her the red.
Abby gets down on her knees. “Thank you, Hazel. This is so thoughtful. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
To my surprise, my daughter throws her arms around Abby’s neck. This must surprise Abby because her eyes widen as she looks up at me and returns the hug.
