Winning my Best Friend's Girl - Piper Rayne Page 0,19
and celery with ranch.
The waitress takes our orders and leaves.
“Guys say that, but they’re not up for a woman eating whatever she wants without judging.”
“I think you’d be surprised.”
She waves me off and peeks over at Stella. I’m trying to pretend they aren’t here, but it’s not working.
“Let’s talk about the Adventure Race thing. Maybe since we agreed to being friends, we can make it work,” I say.
Her face lights up. “We need two more team members.”
She pulls out her phone and I hover close, watching the videos of last year’s expedition race. The experience needed for the seven-day challenge means only one thing—I have to recruit Denver unless I plan on dying up on the mountain.
We eat and laugh, and I enjoy my evening with Samantha. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a girl as a friend. Other than Stella, but I guess if I’m honest with myself she was never really just a friend. My heart beat out of my chest the first time she walked into my fourth grade classroom, even if I hid it well. Then my heart shriveled and died when she left Alaska.
That Sunday, I’m heading to Terra and Mare for a family dinner planned by Grandma Dori. Sedona popping back into town pregnant was a shock, and I think maybe Grandma is in fix-it mode.
As I’m driving down Main Street, I spot Stella walking down the sidewalk—similar to how I found her almost a decade ago. Racking my brain, I calculate the date. Shit.
I park quickly then run across the street, holding my hand out for traffic to stop. The sound of a horn honking spurs Stella to look up.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hi.” Just like that day all those years ago, she’s bundled in a coat and a hat, but she’s not crying. Thank God, I’m not sure I could handle that.
“Today’s the day?”
She nods.
“Selene locked up in her art room?”
She nods.
“You’re not going to jump into the lake again, are you?”
She shakes her head.
Usually I’d make a smart-ass comment about her not having a voice but today’s not a day for jokes. “Want to forget for a little while?”
She nods.
“Come on. A classic Bailey dinner will make that happen. You can listen to us all argue.” I tug on her coat sleeve, but she stays in place.
“That’s not a good idea.”
“Please, my family loves you more than me.” I tug again and she steps forward.
“Are you sure I’m not intruding?”
“Not at all. Everyone would love to see you. Besides, Juno has Colton working on last-minute wedding stuff, so they won’t even be there tonight.”
She nods, still seeming unsure. “Okay.”
I don’t dissect whatever made her agree. I’ve been where she is. I’m familiar with the desperation of wanting to think of anything but the what-ifs that still plague you.
The silence that falls over the room when we walk into the restaurant suggests they’re stunned. Savannah’s eyes zero in between us to make sure we’re not holding hands or something. Liam smiles with Brinley in his arms, rocking her to sleep.
Sedona gets up from her chair. Holy shit, her belly grows bigger and bigger every damn day. “Stella, I missed talking to you at the hospital. How have you been? Come and sit.”
“Congratulations,” Stella says, staring at Sedona’s swollen stomach.
Sedona runs her hands down her baby bump. “Thanks. And before you ask, no, Jamison isn’t here. He’s not up for the challenge.”
I stop shaking hands with Wyatt and look at the two women. Did they keep in contact?
Sedona smiles nicely to me to suggest that they might have gotten together a few times in New York. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
Stella grips my sister’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Nothing I can do about it. His loss.” Sedona puts on a brave smile, but I can see the sadness underneath.
That asshole Jamison better watch out if I ever see him again.
“So true.”
“Stella Harrison!” Grandma Dori comes out of the back of the restaurant and her arms are wide and welcoming, enveloping Stella.
While she questions Stella on everything she’s missed, my siblings eye me with their own questions. I shake my head.
Finally, Stella sits down next to me at the table. Rome comes out of the back with the food, Calista helping him with the bread baskets.
“You’re late,” Calista says to me.
I tickle her and pull her onto my lap. “Say hello to my friend, Stella.”
“Hi.” She waves.
“This is Rome’s daughter, Calista, and that’s Dion and Phoebe.”
Harley walks in with a belly as swollen as Sedona’s.