Chapter 10 #2
I take in the living room again, how homey all the pieces of furniture look together. “We just finished moving everything around before we started baking.”
“Brownies and home redecoration. Kieran isn’t paying you enough.”
“Oh, he’s paying me plenty, trust me.” Enough to alleviate the guilt as I help my parents rebuild their retirement. I point to her. “Which reminds me, he wants to commission pieces off you.”
A blush creeps along her cheeks at the mention of her art.
I was worried when she was in the thick of her grief that she had finally hung up the towel on it, being that it was her mom who got her into art, but she did the opposite.
She poured her grief into her work, and it shows—the passion, love, and care.
Trisha would be beyond proud of her and how far she’s come, and the gallery she opened.
Anytime she posts a piece, the demand for her prints sells it out within mere hours. Grayson, always her cheerleader, is extremely active on social media on her release days, telling everyone to buy.
It’s inspiring to watch her chase her dreams and conquer them. Perhaps one day I’ll try chasing my own, and not just the measly dream I tell everyone. No, the secret one I’ve harbored since I was young, the one I haven’t dared tell a soul in case I never achieve it in this lifetime.
“How many does he want, and did he even say what he has in mind?”
I can’t help but laugh. “No, he was onto the next to-do list item before he even finished telling me. I’ll have him talk to you about it. He did say something about every room though.”
Bella’s eyes widen. “That’s a lot of pieces.”
“And it will look stunning. What time is Cindy coming over, by the way?”
Bella pulls out her phone. “She texted when she left. She’s probably ten, fifteen minutes away.”
“Perfect, want to help me with the charcuterie board?”
“Cheeseboards are my middle name. Do you have wine?”
Groaning, I slump a little. “Damn it, I knew I forgot something.”
She waves her hand in the air. “It’s okay. I’m still not drinking that much and Cindy knows you can’t with your medication, so she most likely will bring her own bottle.”
Relief courses through me, swift and sudden that I don’t have to endure that awkward conversation.
I’ve never understood it, why people can be so offended about what you do and don’t put in your body, but this past year as I’ve had to swear off alcohol, I’ve come to realize that others have an oddly strong aversion if you choose not to drink.
I’m sure Bella would know—she and Grayson have had countless similar situations when Grayson informs strangers he’s sober. Especially since Bella decided to go sober alongside him in support, with just the odd glass of wine here and there.
I doubt Cindy would be one of those people based on the things Bella has shared of her, but I’m grateful all the same that I don’t have to talk about my medication right off the bat.
“She’s so excited to finally meet you.”
“I’m excited too. I feel like I already know her.”
Opening the fridge, I pull out the groceries I bought today for the cheeseboard and sides. As I search around for utensils, I make a mental note to help Kieran order more serveware.
Bella locates something to use as a serving board as she says in awe, “I’m so proud, Lil. Look at you, kicking lupus’s ass.”
I couldn’t stop smiling even if I tried. “And now I work just across the road from you!”
Bella squeals as she gets out a knife to cut the cured meats. “We’re making up for lost time.”
“Longest seventeen months of my life,” I mutter. “Although not as bad as you had it. I still can’t believe you woke up in the middle of the night to talk to me.”
She lifts a shoulder. “I’d do anything for you.”
“Anything?” I ask.
Her eyes slide to mine. “What do you have in mind?”
“Any chance you’d let me steal Bambi for Emmy’s speech therapy session on Monday?”
“Oh my gosh, of course!” She smiles. “Can’t believe I didn’t think of that sooner. Bambi always manages to bring her out of her shell.”
“I ran the idea past Kieran this morning—”
“How’s that going, by the way?”
“Him being my boss? Or the nannying role?”
A coy smile dances along her lips. “More like, how is his flirting?”
I roll my eyes. “We have a deal in place. He can flirt with me but not while Emmy is around.”
“And how’s that going?”
I frown down at the cheeses. “Surprisingly, we’re around each other a lot without her.”
Bella howls with laughter right as I hear the front door open and a soft cheery voice call out, “I brought food!”
As I turn to greet Cindy, a small body slams into my legs, little hands clinging to my jeans. Bella moves past me to say hello, while I peer down at Emmy now hiding behind my legs.
With the way my hands turn clammy from nerves, I wish I could hide behind someone’s legs too.
I feel like I’m on the cusp of something new.
That there’s a shift happening within me, an older version of myself being left behind as I step into a newer version.
A version who can meet people with a smile on her face that isn’t forced, a pep in her step that isn’t fake, and a radiance that can’t be feigned.
It terrifies me to let go of my older self that I was trapped within for over twelve years.
But not as much as it excites me.
Cindy rounds the corner, her blonde hair perfectly blow-dried, her loose curls bouncing as our smiles mirror each other’s. With my hand gently on top of Emmy’s head, I hold out my free arm as Cindy squeals and rushes for me.
She throws her arms around me and squeezes. “I’ve been waiting to meet you for what feels like an eternity!”
Her joy is infectious, her energy lighting up the entire room.
“I know, I can’t believe we haven’t yet!”
Cindy pulls back, her eyes roving over me. My brain is instantly waiting for a comment about how I don’t look like I have a disease, but to my surprise, she whistles.
“God damn, Layla, this sweater suits you so well!”
My shoulders loosen, the breath I was holding escaping me in a rush. Flicking my gaze down to the sage green sweater I’m about to say thank you but she’s already moving on, her smile stretching further as she drops to her knees.
Bella wasn’t wrong, she bounces from topic to topic like a gorgeous blonde hurricane.
Emmy’s grip on my jeans tighten as she nestles her head further into my calves.
Cindy rummages in her bag. “A little birdie told me that Bambi is your best friend,” she whispers.
I feel Emmy’s head nod up and down along the back of my leg.
Cindy gives her a knowing smile as she leans forward. “Then this is most certainly for you.” She pulls out a plush teddy bear—a golden retriever.
Emmy’s hands disappear from my legs. Bella and I grin, watching Emmy take it gently from Cindy’s outstretched palm, her eyes round with awe. She wraps her arms around the teddy bear and cradles it to her chest like it’s the most precious thing in the world.
“Something tells me she’s never going to let go of that,” Bella says.