Page 7 of Against the Odds
“Did everyone travel today? My goodness. Sorry, I’m a mess.”
“I didn’t say anything. Thanks for picking me up and for the pick me up,” I say, holding up the cup in acknowledgement. “What’s going on? You look so—”
“Shitty? I know. Jacob was up in the middle of the night with a stomach bug so it’s been a long day.”
Guilt is a crummy feeling but here I am, drowning in it. Her son is sick and she still came to get me while I stood on the curb frustrated for having to wait twenty minutes.
“You should have said something. I could have asked someone else to pick me up.”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been cleaning bedding and checking temperatures since three a.m. I needed out of the house. Connor is home with him and happy to sit around playing Call of Duty without me telling him to be nice to the kids online.”
Snorting, I rest my head on the window and release a yawn. The late-night activities hit me hard as the wheels roll down the highway. It’s typically a two-hour drive to Lexington from the airport but with Lis driving, I doubt it will be more than ninety minutes. Still, I have to decide if I want to confess my weekend with her. I know she’ll keep it to herself and, honestly, she’ll be over the moon happy for me.
Felicity and Connor are getting married in the spring and now she wants everyone to fall in love. She didn’t use to be like that. Or so I hear. I didn’t know her years ago when she was the least-liked person in town but I know the woman she is now and I love her. Felicity Remington-Thorne is kind, loving, funny as hell, and always up for a good time. She’s a fantastic mom and the way Connor looks at her... she just completes his world.
My mind skips to Ian and the way he made me feel at ease. How his smile reassured me, the way his hands felt on my skin. Heat rises on my skin and the last thing I want to do is explain to Lis why I’m squirming in my seat.
“So, how was Vegas? Don’t tell me you stayed in the room and napped. I can tell from your tan that you at least went to the pool.”
“Once we got there and made it to the pool, it was great. At least for Rach and me. I can’t say the same for Autumn and Marci. Poolside sushi wasn’t their best idea.”
Felicity lets out a fake retching sound and we both break out in laughter. For the rest of the drive, I recap the weekend. Except, I keep the night with Ian to myself. Some things should stay in Vegas.
ChapterSix
ALMOST 9 MONTHS LATER
Me: I cannot believe I forgot the pillow.
Lis: Really? You’re surprised? Connor will bring it by before you leave for the day. I’m stuck here opening boxes.
Me: I don’t know why you insist on making the center pieces yourself.
Lis: OURSELVES. You’re helping me, maid of honor.
I don’t bother responding again. We’ve had this conversation for weeks. I tried to bribe the bride to be with cookies but she refused them. Something about having to fit into her wedding dress. She’s so dramatic. Like a cookie—or five—are going to matter. She’s going to look like a goddess regardless. Instead, I ate the cookies and she gave me the same look I’ve seen her tween daughter sport when she wants something badly.
Last night, I was at her house for dinner and a wedding party meeting. Yes, a meeting. Turns out, Felicity is a tad bit Type A. She has earned the right to be as crazy as she wants to be. The road she and Connor have traveled, apart and together, wasn’t always easy and they both deserve. The only person missing at dinner was the best man. I don’t know much about him except he served with Connor, Taylor, and Grant. Oh, and that his nickname is Casanova.
The wedding party is made up of close friends and everyone’s kids so it was a crazy night but great fun. Unfortunately, I spaced and left the bag of goodies and items Ashton had for me. I slept horribly as a result, her promise that the body pillow would be my best friend haunting me as I tossed and turned. Thankfully today is my last day of work and if Connor comes through and brings the pillow, I’ll be sleeping soundly starting tonight.
My day is mostly filled with answering emails and updating the notes I’ve left for the middle school counselor who will cover for me over the next few weeks. She has my number and we’ve talked plenty about the students I feel need her attention but, as an elementary school counselor, I have to be a little more spontaneous when it comes to dealing with the kiddos.
A knock on my door pulls my attention. Piper and Ben Sullivan stand in the doorway, huge smiles on their face. How two people can be so happily in love confuses me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen these two annoyed with one another. Actually, that’s not true. There was the fall carnival when Ben blatantly cheated at the ring toss and Piper grumbled about it for a week. In his defense, he was trying to win a goldfish for their kids. He failed.
“We wanted to stop by and see if you needed anything. I know you said it’s all taken care of but just in case,” Piper says as she enters my office.
“Nope. I just added a few things to the notes. You have my number in case anything else happens with May Clemmons. I do have some concern how she’ll handle my being gone for eight weeks.”
The Sullivans sit in the guest chairs opposite me and we recap the other students they each have who may need a little more one-on-one from their teachers. This is why I love working at Lexington Elementary. The faculty cares for their students. Our school is an extension of the town itself, and we always look out for one another.
Once I convince them both I have everything taken care of and a promise to call if I need anything, they leave me alone. I enjoy the silence for a few minutes when I hear Connor’s voice in the hallway. He’s shouting something over his shoulder as he reaches my doorway.
“Special delivery!”
Smiling, I shake my head at his exuberance. “You are my hero. Thank you for bringing that by. I could have run by your house but I’m really glad I don’t have to. I’m exhausted.”
“Not a problem. I’m glad it worked out. Even if we hadn’t made it here, I would have swung by your house. Are you looking forward to time off?”