“I was trying to drink away my problems. But someone interrupted my date with wine,” I said into her shoulder.
Next thing I knew, Stella pushed me onto a chair.
“We need wine,” she instructed, and to my surprise, Sebastian pulled it down for us. He even got out the glasses and filled them. Why was he still there? I would have thought by now he’d have disappeared to do whatever he did late at night.
He was never at home after the kids went to bed. I wondered if he thought this might lead him to Jim. But since my ex had already gotten what he wanted, there was no way he’d contact me again anytime soon.
I gulped half the wine and exhaled. Things would be fine. Nothing to worry about. I’d put my head down, continue to work, and maybe I’d be able to build my savings up again in this century. At least I knew I wouldn’t get kicked out of the house if I couldn’t pay the rent.
“You got her?” Sebastian asked, his back to me as he looked at Stella, who was grinning.
“Of course. Go forth and do your thing. We’ll be fine.”
We both got a chin lift, and then he walked out.
“I’m right here, you know,” I yelled after him. “And I don’t need a keeper.”
He ignored me, and the front door slammed shut. God, he was infuriating. As if I needed someone at the house all the time. Even if he seemed to think otherwise.
I turned my glare at Stella, who put up her hand, a smirk on her face. “Hey, don’t direct your misplaced anger at me. I’m just here to help you drink wine.”
My head dropped on the table with a loud bang. “Ouch, that hurt.”
“Just drink your wine and tell me how I can help.” She put her hand out when I started to protest. “And stop being such a martyr and instead tell me what’s going on. Not sure if you still remember this, but we’re friends.”
I didn’t lift my head; instead I talked into the tabletop. “I’m sorry. I’m a terrible friend. And I don’t mean to make you feel like you’re not good enough. You’re the bestest friend a woman could wish for.”
“Then get over your issues and tell me what I can do to help.”
My head left the haven of the tabletop, and I sat up straight. “You’re already doing it. Offering to lower rent is unnecessary, but it’s reassuring to know I won’t have to live in my car if things go downhill. And don’t even get me started on how much I depend on you when it comes to babysitting. I’ll never be able to repay you for—”
“And I’ll stop you right there. I’ve told you a million times that it doesn’t matter to anyone if I study at home or here.”
“Not sure if Mason feels the same way.”
“He started renovating the rest of the house. He’s knee-deep in drywall and sawdust as soon as he gets home. He thinks he has to finish the house by the end of the year. Don’t ask me why.”
I got up and held my arms out. “As your friend, can I ask for a hug?”
Stella chuckled and got up, walking into my outstretched arms. “Always. Now, do you need more wine, or is it time for something else? Chocolate? Ice cream? Or do you have any of that delicious cake left?”
The last thing was said with a hopeful lilt to her voice, and it was my turn to laugh. “As a matter of fact, I do have cake left. Always keep some in the freezer.”
I defrosted a piece of cake and handed it to a drooling Stella.
“Come to Momma,” she said and devoured it in less than a minute.
“You good?” she asked when I finally managed to usher her to the front door.
“I am. Thank you so much.”
“Anytime. And now that I know where you keep that cake, you better start baking more,” she said, grinning.
“Noted. Now go home or Mason will worry.”
“Doubt it. He’ll still be debating whether we need an extra living area or if we should convert it into a guest room.”
I embraced her in a long hug, reluctant to let go.
“Message when you get home,” I instructed when she walked to her car.
“I will, Mom. Don’t forget you have some cake to bake tomorrow.”
I closed the door once she was in her car and had pulled out of my driveway. After cleaning up the kitchen and then myself, I went to bed. I lay there until I heard the front door at two in the morning and then Sebastian’s grunt when he ran into the hallway table.
Only then did I fall asleep with a smirk on my face, making sure to move the little table to another spot again tomorrow.
CHAPTER TEN
“I was standing there,” Luca screamed.
“No, me,” Lena responded and pushed him out of the way.
I watched my kids standing in the middle of the living room, pushing each other off a random spot on the carpet they both wanted to stand on.
There was nothing special about the spot. And no reason why either of them had to stand there. Yet they were fighting over this coveted spot like it was a piece of chocolate.
Time to distract them before someone loses a finger.
“Okay, guys, how about we go outside? Maybe the playground?”
Their attention diverted to me, and they forgot all about their fight.
“Can I goes on the swing?” Luca asked, pulling his shoes on.
“Definitely,” I said, then turned to Lena. “What do you want to do at the park, gorgeous?”
“Swing,” she cried and grinned at me.
Once we were ready, I made sure to grab my keys and opened the door. And wished I hadn’t. There was a huge bouquet sitting in front of my door. The only difference to previous deliveries was this time I spotted a card as well.
“Flowers,”
