Chapter Four
“Don’t take life so seriously. Save a horse, ride a cowboy, as they say. Or in this case, a corporate bro.” – Hattie
ELIZABETH
“Birdie! They say to try shaving cream.” I sigh as I stare at my daughter in the bathtub. She is currently covered in a hot pink hue, courtesy of the permanent marker she found when I was on a Zoom call in my office.
“Do we have any?” I ask my sister and roommate, Hattie, who leans against the doorway to the bathroom now, smirking at her little niece.
“Yeah, under the sink, I think I have some leftover from Jack.”
I dig around under the sink and find the white and blue can from Hattie’s ex-boyfriend, who used to come and stay with her. Back then, I hadn’t loved having him in mine and my daughter’s space so much, even though he was a nice guy. But right now, I’m thankful for it.
I rub a small amount on my daughter’s arm and watch as it miraculously fades. Her little eyes widen as she watches the ink disappear. “Wow! It’s like magic.”
“That doesn’t mean you should do it again,” I say in a stern voice, trying to get her attention. She knows better than to mess with markers that are not her own, but she’s also four, and forbidden fruit is usually a fun time.
“Okay,” she replies solemnly, and we quickly finish up her bath and start getting her settled down for bed.
My sister and I live in a small three-bedroom apartment.
It’s on the outskirts of Denver, giving us semi-affordability, but it was the best we could do.
I can’t quite afford a house for me and Aurora just yet, and my sister was desperate not to stay with our parents when she graduated from school.
Plus, when she can, she helps me out with Aurora.
For now, this works for us.
I read Aurora a story, and Hattie, short for Harriet, comes to say a quick good night.
It’s not long before my girl is down for the count, and I head into the living room.
It’s still early, early enough to binge-watch at least three episodes of my favorite show and have at least two glasses of wine.
“How is work?” Hattie asks as she pours us each a glass. It was fun being an adult and living with my sister, she was exactly what I needed after everything we’ve been through these past few years, and I’m always so grateful to have her.
I let out a long-suffering sigh. “This boss is a piece of work, honestly.”
“Still being a misogynist and giving that guy all the campaigns?”
I nod my head. “It’s not as blatant as that, though.
He makes it seem like every project that could actually get me noticed would interfere with my time with Rora.
He’ll use that line too. ‘Oh, I didn’t know you wanted it.
I assumed you’d want to spend the time with your daughter.
’” I shake my head, thinking of my boss, who said that exact phrase to me.
“What about the guy? Doesn’t he see it?” Hattie takes a healthy sip of wine before she turns on the TV, queuing up our show.
“Oh, he sees it. He just goes along because why wouldn’t he? He’s getting all the praise from his boss and the clients, and he gets to needle me on the way.”
Hattie clicks a button on the remote before turning her attention to me. “Is he still asking you out?”
“Yes.” I lick my lip where my wine dribbled. “He just did last week.”
“He’s hot, right?”
I lift a brow at her. “The guy who keeps stealing all of my work? Yes. But that’s not the point.”
“Why not use him for a little fun?” Hattie wiggles her brows. “I mean, yeah, he’s a dick, but does he have a good working one you could also benefit from?”
“Hattie!” I laugh and hit her with a throw pillow. “I am so not going there.”
It was true that ever since Aurora’s dad took off, I haven’t exactly been a woman on the prowl. But having a baby on your own and raising a kid—while living with your sister and relying solely on your parents for help with the kid—doesn’t leave a lot of free time.
“Why not?” Hattie asks, waving her hand around. “I’m not saying marry the guy, Birdie.” I smile at the nickname she’s always called me. “I’m just saying, use the guy until you want to move on. It would be good for you to get out more.”
“I’m a mom now, Hattie. My priorities have shifted.”
Which is true. Ever since that baby down the hallway was placed on my chest, all I ever wanted was to be the best mom in the world to that little girl. To give her the love and support and attention that my own parents blessed me with.
To make up for the fact that she would grow up without a father.
“I’m not saying you need to change those priorities now, Birdie. I’m saying that you deserve to let off a little steam, and maybe the hunky office guy can be that outlet for you.”
I consider what she’s saying. I could never imagine dating Trip. And yes, that was his real name. But maybe I could use him for some… exercise.
“I’ll consider it,” I reply, then sit back in my spot on that couch, letting the cushions suck me in. “Now, let’s watch some cowboys.”
“Yee-haw!”
We laugh at ourselves and settle in for hours of mindless TV, all the while in the back of my mind I’m wondering if she was right.
Maybe I do need to let my hair down a little more often.