Love You Always (Buttercup Hill #5)

Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

E lla

“I’m a little bit embarrassed for dragging you here,” I tell Tatum, who sits on the love seat at the foot of the hotel room I rented so I don’t overstay my welcome at her house. She sits patiently as I wheel an entire rack of clothing that my stylist sent over.

At first, after I broke up with Callum, our publicists resisted, and Callum begged me to reconsider. I refused, but it’s taken a while for everyone to agree on how to frame our uncoupling. Until I talk to my adoption lawyer, I don’t want to say anything that might derail my plans. It’s meant that Archer and I have spent our time at Buttercup Hill, out of public view. I don’t need prying eyes wondering what we are to each other. Especially when I’m not sure myself. I just know I really like him, which means I want to make a good impression on his family members at their taco fest later on.

Behind Tatum, my bed is unmade, and the bright morning sun feels like it’s pointing a finger at the messy beige blankets after a poor night’s sleep. I adjust the blinds so it’s not quite so glary, but nearly everything in the room is white or cream, so it still screams bright in here.

“Don’t be. I had to be over here anyway. I have something to tell you.”

My eyes go wide. “Pregnant?” I ask, looking at her flat belly.

“No, not that. But close. You know Becca.”

“Your sister? Yeah, I think we’ve met a few thousand times.”

“Don’t be a pill or I won’t tell you. I brought my mah jong tiles. We can just play quietly.” She gestures to her purse, and I stare at it, worried it may actually contain a mah jong set.

“Sorry. What’s up?”

“There was a baby left at the Safe Surrender in the hospital where she works.”

My eyes go wide because I know where she’s going with this. Becca is an obstetrical nurse at Alta Bates Hospital in Oakland. I rush to the love seat and hug Tatum. “Oh my God, oh my God.”

“I know. I don’t know how adoptions work, but your lawyer should work on it. Maybe you can adopt her.”

I’m already dialing my cell phone, pacing in circles. When my lawyer answers, I put her on speakerphone and spew information and questions at her for ten minutes straight until she assures me that my chances are very good if she gets moving quickly. “Don’t get your hopes too high, but let’s be cautiously optimistic. All your paperwork looks great so there’s every reason to think you’re a good candidate here. Let’s set a meeting for this week and we can get into it.”

I hang up and hug Tatum again. “Oh my gosh.” I feel stunned at the idea that I might be able to adopt this baby, but also heartbroken about the circumstances that led her to be left at a Safe Surrender. “I’ve always imagined this moment, but I didn’t expect to feel so sad. I mean, I’m cautiously happy, but…this is a baby who was given up by her parents. She may never know them. It…breaks my heart. ”

“Maybe not, but she’ll know you. And you will give her an amazing life. You’ll give her all the love she needs.”

The weight of it slams into me. The responsibility. The reality.

“What if the adoption courts are hesitant about me as a single mom? I thought I’d have time to put out a statement about breaking up with Callum and let the dust settle, but now…will I look unstable if news hits about our breakup right now?”

Tatum offers a sympathetic smile. “I don’t know, sweetie.”

I drop into a chair. “I think I’m kind of in shock.”

“Understandable. Just…sit with it a while. Let your lawyer do her job and give yourself time. It’s a lot of change all at once.”

Nodding, I try to focus on picking an outfit, but it feels so frivolous in light of this. Tatum, who doubles as a best friend mind reader, nods. “I know. And everything is so new with Archer, and I can’t even get my brain around where that could lead.”

“Just…try to stay in the moment. It’s okay to focus on the dress. And who knows, maybe you’re seducing the future father of your child.”

“No, nope. Not happening. He’s not into having kids. I don’t think that’s even on his radar.”

“Are you sure? People change their minds when they fall in love.”

“Not sure it’s love either.”

She laughs. “I’m just going to ignore that because I’ve never seen a glow on you like this. Deny it all you want, but you, my friend, are in love.”

I feel the blush creep across my face. Tatum doesn’t suffer fools and it’s silly to pretend in front of her. “I might love him,” I whisper. “But that only complicates things because he doesn’t want kids. He was serious about it.”

I haven’t wanted to broach the subject with Archer, and I’m still not sure I’m ready. “Like you said, I’m going to stay in the present,” I say, running over to where she’s relaxing on the couch. “Right after I hug you one more time. Thank you for being here for me. For everything.”

“Honestly, since you ordered breakfast, I feel like I’m the one coming out ahead,” she deadpans. She picks up one of the lattes from the low table in front of the love seat and takes a sip.

“Still, you’d think I could pick out an outfit on my own.”

“This isn’t just any outfit. This is a romantic meet-the-family outfit.”

“Isn’t that kind of an oxymoron? I want the family to think I’m sweet and appropriate for their brother. I don’t want to romance them.

She waves a hand and takes a bite of a blueberry muffin. “They already know you’re sweet and perfect for him. They’ll love you. This is for your man. It needs to be casual but also seductive. It has to make Archer salivate and stare at you, just as he’s picturing how you’ll look later when the outfit hits the floor.”

“That’s a lot to expect from an outfit. Maybe I should just wear a sandwich board with instructions.”

“Sure. Like ‘Stare, Drool, Fuck’?”

Tatum has already eaten two croissants, half a bowl of berries, and now the muffin. I haven’t touched a thing, other than the coffee. I’m too nervous to eat, which is silly because Archer and I have already been on plenty of “dates.” They just weren’t planned. Somehow, having a plan makes me feel like I need to prepare, but I’m not sure how. And now I’m wishing I hadn’t brought Tatum into my circle of confusion. She still likes and respects me, but after seeing me go to pieces over outfits, she may decide I’m a mess.

“Might be simpler.”

She brushes croissant crumbs from her sweater into a napkin and crumples it into a ball. Then she stands up and starts rifling through the outfits on the rack. “No. Too formal. Too cutesy. Too slutty… ”

“Hey!”

She pulls out the dress in question and holds it against her body. I have to admit the plunging neckline and high slit up one thigh is probably appropriate for any kind of date Archer has planned. “I figure I should have options.”

“Sweetie, if you wear this, the only option will be getting railed within five minutes of walking in the door.”

“Tatum!” My mousy computer nerd of a friend isn’t usually this direct.

“What? I’m not wrong.”

I sigh. “You’re not wrong.”

“Fine. Not that dress, but I think I need something in case we’re going to a nice dinner later or something.”

She pulls out an ankle-length silk sheath that hugs every curve. “This one. Red lips, a bit of skin, a hint of the curves that lie beneath. It will drive him nuts. More of a tease, less of an overt invitation.”

Nodding at the red dress, I have to admit she’s right.

“Pretty much a sandwich board, after all.”