Chapter 45
Lydia
I’d like to say that I spent the time Cole was gone doing something productive, like praying about the situation or looking at job postings since I’m sure someone must be looking to hire a disgraced running coach currently on bedrest, but the truth is, staring at Josh’s text message sent me spiraling down the black hole of social media.
I spent ages scrolling through Delia’s Instagram feed, desperate for some sort of sign that she and Josh missed me, but her recent posts were all pictures of the two of them wining and dining at all of the bed and breakfasts they’d been touring. Then I stumbled upon a picture from almost a year ago of Delia and Josh at some party with Cole and Ashley. Delia had very helpfully tagged Ashley in the picture, so I didn’t even have to search for her profile, just one wayward click of the finger, and I had access to Ashley’s entire social media presence.
Which is how I found out that Ashley isn’t just a high-powered lawyer seemingly bent on stealing my husband, she’s also a fashion influencer. I gaped as I stared at her follower count. Over 4,000 people apparently look to her for advice on things like how to accessorize your blazer and the best ways to avoid swimsuit tan lines. Well, the joke’s on her, because I haven’t even worn a swimsuit this whole summer, so, unlike the 137 people that commented on that post, I don’t need her advice on avoiding tan lines.
Since apparently I enjoy torture, I continue scrolling through Ashley’s feed, my eyes hitching on a photo of her and Cole buried among all the fashion photos. His arm hangs loosely around her shoulders in the picture as he plants a kiss on the top of her head. Taking a break from all things fashion to post a photo of me and my love , the caption begins. I force myself to look away from the screen, not wanting to read more, not wanting to know all about how in love they once were. I try to comfort myself with the fact that they were just boyfriend and girlfriend; it’s not as if he wanted to marry her.
“Knock, knock,” I drop the phone with a jump as someone speaks from my doorway. Astonishment robs me of words as I see Delia standing there, a tentative smile on her face. “Hey, Lydia, can I come in?”
“Delia,” her name comes out a squeak. “You’re here.”
“Yeah.” She takes one step inside the room. “Josh is too; he’s just putting some of the food we brought into your fridge. Cole invited us for dinner, but Josh insisted on cooking since you’re on bedrest. ”
“Josh is here?” I repeat, my mind spinning. “Josh is here…and Cole invited him?”
Now a smile dances across Delia’s face, and she crosses the room the rest of the way before sinking onto my bed. “Yeah, I guess he showed up at the Robin’s Nest, and they had it out.” She shakes her head. “I knew they just needed to talk, but your brother is so stubborn. He wouldn’t listen to me.” Her smile fades. “I’m sorry we didn’t come see you at the hospital. I wanted to, but Josh was so…” she trails off uncertainly, her eyes darting around to avoid catching mine, then landing on my dropped phone. I forget about her apology as I notice Ashley’s profile still on full display. Crap. I scramble to grab it, quickly shutting the screen off, but it’s too late. She’s already seen it.
“I was just taking a quick peek,” I say defensively. “I found her profile by accident. I, uh, needed some fashion tips, how to tuck your shirt in cutely or whatever, and she was one of the first hits when I searched for the fashion hashtag. She’s got like a million followers.”
“Right,” Delia raises an eyebrow, “because everyone knows tucked in shirts are a good maternity look, really shows off the elastic waistband of your jeans well.”
“P-uh,” a disgruntled noise escapes my lips, “rude.”
“Don’t be embarrassed,” she ignores me, “I spent some time insta-stalking Josh’s high school ex when we first started dating. It’s normal.” She hesitates, then adds, “Though you should know, her follower count took a hit recently.”
“Oh?” I peer at her in confusion.
“Well, she just lost me, so not that much of a hit.” Her eyes finally meet mine, and I feel a rush of gratitude.
“You unfollowed Ashley?”
“It was time for us to go our separate ways,” Delia says with a shrug. “I can’t be friends with someone who would–”
“Lydia,” this time it’s Josh who stands in the doorway, an apologetic expression on his face. “Can I come in? I come bearing an ‘I’m-sorry-for-being-a-jerk’ gift.” He holds up a box of strawberry Pop-Tarts. I’m way too predictable.
“I don’t know,” I reply, trying to keep my expression stern, despite the fact that I am so happy to see my brother. “Those may have done the trick before, but I married this guy who already buys me all the Pop-Tarts I want.”
“I hope that’s what you told the press when they called you a gold digger,” he replies, “that all you ever really wanted in a man was someone who could afford to buy name brand Pop-Tarts. The expensive house was just a bonus.”
Now I can’t keep the smile off my face as I retort, “You butthead.”
Josh laughs. “Kidding, sis, believe me I left quite a few comments on Deb’s Deets telling her exactly what I thought of her BS article.”
“Really?” Unexpected tears well in my eyes. “You did that even though you were mad at me?”
Josh sighs, his smile fading, “I wasn’t really mad at you, Lydia. Mad at Cole, yes. But, he came to talk to me today and I realized—”
My phone rings loudly, once again cutting someone off just when they were about to say something I wanted to hear, but it’s Cole’s name that’s flashing across the screen so I don’t ignore it.
“One sec, this is Cole,” I tell Josh before answering. “Hey, babe,” the term of endearment slips out of my mouth before I can rethink it, and I feel myself flush. I’ve never called him babe before, at least not in a serious way.
“Hello, honey,” a teasing voice that is definitely not Cole replies. “Saul? Is that you?” I recognize the older man’s distinctive voice.
He laughs. “That it is. Listen, I’m calling because I’m sitting at the top of the stairwell at my office next to Cole. He just fainted. I heard the thud of his fall and came to investigate. He was just coming to when I walked in.” Saul tuts. “Now he thinks he’s fine and is all set to drive himself home. I disagree considering he hit his head against the wall on his way down.”
“What?” I gasp as fear settles over me. In the background I hear Cole griping about being perfectly fine. “No, he can’t drive after that, Saul! What if he has a concussion? Take his keys if you have to or, or… threaten to fire him,” I finish wildly.
Saul chuckles softly. “I don’t think I need to do anything that drastic. At least not yet. Since he wouldn’t listen to me, I stole his phone and called you. Figured he’d listen to you.”
My heart sinks. “Pretty sure you’re overestimating the amount of influence I have over him.”
“I don’t think so,” Saul replies coolly. “Now tell this man of yours to stop being so bull-headed.” Before I can reply there’s a scuffling sound, then I hear Cole’s voice.
“Lydia, I’m fine. Saul is making a big deal out of nothing. I fainted, but I ate a candy bar when I came to, and now I’m feeling much better.”
“Cole,” my voice shakes with worry, “please don’t drive yourself. I don’t want to worry about you fainting while you’re driving. Besides, you should probably go to the hospital, you might have a concussion.” I close my eyes, praying he’ll listen, though I don’t know why he would. If he’s ignoring the request of one of his biggest clients, why would he listen to me?
There’s silence on the other end for a minute, then I hear Cole exhale. “Okay.”
“Okay?” I squeak in surprise. “You’ll go to the hospital?”
“No. Okay, I won’t drive myself home,” Cole corrects. “I’ll just get an Uber.”
“An Uber?” I shudder involuntarily.
Cole chuckles. “I forgot you hate Ubers.”
“You would too if you’d had a near death experience while riding in one,” I retort, but Cole just laughs again .
“Maybe I’ll call Josh then,” he says. “I wanted to surprise you, but I went to the Robin’s Nest and we worked things out. He and Delia are coming for dinner tonight. They can just swing by and grab me on their way.”
“Josh and Delia are already here actually.” I grin at the pair who both have their eyes trained on me, following my side of the conversation with concern.
“I can still go get him,” Josh speaks up. “Where is he?”
Before I can ask, I hear Saul speak in the background, then Cole reply. I try to make out what they’re saying, but only catch a couple of words. One of which is Ashley’s name. Is she there? Dread fills me as I picture her. I know exactly how fabulous she looks today thanks to the fact that I was just stalking her Instagram. This morning she posted a photo of herself in a white skirt that gathered into a knot at her navel paired with a tucked in black sleeveless blouse. The skirt hit her legs just past the knee, but had a slit up the front that exposed her expertly tanned thighs. She’d captioned the picture, How to be Tastefully Sexy at Work . I, on the other hand, am currently wearing a pair of maternity jogger pants that cover up my unshaven legs and a tank top that fit me last month, but now shows a slab of my very much untanned bump. Yes, a slab . A possible caption for my outfit: How to Not be Sexy During Pregnancy.
“Lydia,” Cole comes back on the line, interrupting my musings, “I guess Saul wants to drive me.” He lets out a disbelieving laugh. “Apparently he wants to talk to Josh and Delia about the Robin’s Nest.”