2. MJ #2
“Well, if it isn’t the future Miss Emmalynn Lawrence, attorney at law.” Dad looks up with a huge grin on his face. He sets his briefcase down and pockets his phone just as I step in front of him and wrap my arms around his waist.
“Okay, Dad, not just yet. I still need to get into law school and all that jazz, silly,” I say in a less joking manner than I meant, but he doesn’t notice.
Truth be told, I’m not so sure about the whole law school thing anymore, but it’s always been Dad’s dream that I take over the family firm and I can’t just crush his dreams. I hug him tight, inhaling his smell of Polo cologne and leather and then let go so he can hug Mom too.
Mom’s standing at the island washing a head of lettuce as a pot of spaghetti boils behind her. The sauce bubbles up and I rush over to stir it so it doesn’t splatter all over the white granite countertop.
“How was your day?” Dad asks as he gives her a hug and a peck on top of her head. Mom and Dad exchange stories about their days and then Dad heads upstairs to change while I help Mom set the table.
“So, guys, I know it’s my first night back, but it is a Friday.
Are we going to have our usual Friday movie night?
” I ask as I fill my salad bowl and then reach for the garlic bread.
We sit at the small walnut table in the kitchen nook rather than the formal dining room, as the cozy space is our preferred place to dine when it’s just the three of us.
My dad chuckles and Mom smiles her thousand-watt smile. “Of course, Peanut! I was hoping you’d be up for it and might have stocked up on some of your favorite popcorn toppings earlier this week.”
“Yes! Thanks, Mom.” I beam at her despite the pang of guilt deep in my chest. I know I missed them, but I didn’t really think they missed me.
Maybe that’s silly of me, but when Brad moved away while I was still in high school, they didn’t seem all that torn up about it.
Life just moved on like it always did. I assumed that would’ve been the same for when I moved away, but maybe not.
Dad asks me questions about law school throughout dinner, making sure I am looking into scheduling to sit for the LSAT and filling out applications for law school.
I am technically already behind, and while my first dinner back isn’t the time or place just yet, I’m hoping we can talk more about this.
Truth is, I don’t think I’m ready to go to law school.
I’m not sure what exactly I want to do, but I want to take at least a year off to just breathe.
Mom and Dad are so happy to have me back home though, I don’t want to cause any arguments on my first night back, so I just nod and give answers I know he wants to hear.
When we sit down for the movie, I grab a small bowl of popcorn, throw some peanut M Mac has definitely grown up in the last four years.
Looking over his shoulder, I catch Beck’s soft round face scrunched up in a cringe as her blue eyes dart from me to Mac.
Beck and I became fast friends when Spoon opened, and she has become like an older sister to me.
She’s always been there to talk, whether it was about boys or school, so she knows all about my feelings for Mac, past and present.
I look back to Mac, but he’s already rushing past me and heading out of Spoon like he can’t wait to get away from me. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath; I guess that’s something else that hasn’t changed.
Beck gives me a warm smile and then turns her head to see her best friend, Sophie, walking up behind her.
My jaw almost hits the floor as I notice Sophie is sporting a cute little baby bump.
I look at Beck, and she nods, confirming what I’m seeing.
“Holy shit, Sophie! How did I not know you were pregnant?”
Sophie shrugs sheepishly, her perfectly curled hair bouncing and her brown eyes sparkling.
She’s already got the pregnancy glow and my heart fills with happiness for her and Noah.
“We just started telling people, and I wanted it to be a surprise. Your mom mentioned you were going to be home soon when I told her, so I asked her not to tell you. Don’t be mad. ”
“I’m not mad at all! Surprised, but so happy for you,” I say genuinely.
I give Beck my order and pay for the iced dirty chai and a fruit Danish.
As Sophie hands me the Danish, Beck comes around the counter and joins me at a table.
The couple sitting next to us, Mr. and Mrs. Wells, welcome me home and tell me how happy they are that I’m back.
They both say how proud they are of me for following my dreams and heading off to law school.
Beck watches my face closely, and I try not to cringe at the praise.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to hear that people are proud of me, but I’ve always been the town’s golden girl and it’s a lot of pressure sometimes. If I make a mistake, it’s not just my parents I’d be disappointing.
Beck and I chat for a bit, neither of us acknowledging the law school comment. Once I finish my pastry, I grab my drink, give Beck another hug, and then head out to my Jeep to pick up Shannon.