Page 51 of The Best Friend Problem
Which freaked her out even more. She was supposed to be the one in control. The cool, calm, collected one. She’d planned for this. Not the whole getting knocked up with twins by her best friend thing, but the motherhood journey. To be honest, it kind of got under her skin that Finn seemed to be the one keeping his head while she constantly felt the rug being pulled out from under her. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to go.
“I can see that.” Mo grabbed the kettle when it clicked then poured the steaming hot water into three mugs. “He deals with high stress situations all the time. Finn’s pretty good at keeping his cool.”
Sure, but all the stress he dealt with mainly affected other people. He might be in the thick of it with a fire or emergency call, but then he got to go home to his life, where everything was the same.
She supposed this wasn’t all too different. They’d agreed that even if Finn had fathered the baby—babies—this was her show. She wanted to be a mom, and while she agreed to let him help a little, it wasn’t like they were moving in together or anything. So in a way, the whole twin thing wouldn’t affect his daily life the way it would hers.
The thought made her feel slightly better. Finn wasn’t freaking out because this was still her show, her plan. He wasn’t trying to insert himself and take over. He wanted to help her, but he wasn’t pushing her out of the way and assuming charge. It wouldn’t change his life, so he had no reason to panic like she did.
The office phone rang, and Lilly answered.
“Mile High Happiness, this is Lilly speaking. How can we make your dreams come true?”
Dreams come true. Her dreams were coming true. Maybe not in the way she planned and maybe with an extra bonus dream, but they were happening. Funny how most people’s dreams revolved around giving and accepting love, whether from a spouse, a child, a pet, or even just good friends. Pru might not believe in the happily-ever-afters they sold with their business—at least, not for her—but she did believe everyone deserved love in some form, however they wanted to accept it. And she wanted it from two soft, snuggly, sweet babies.
Her hand moved to her stomach, rubbing in circles. She couldn’t believe there were two precious miracles in there.
“Peppermint tea,” Mo whispered as she slid a mug of steaming, pungent liquid in front of Pru.
“Thanks.”
They sipped their tea quietly, listening to Lilly talking with what sounded like a new client on the phone.
“Oh yes, the Rockies have spectacular views in August. Perfect time of year for an outdoor wedding.”
“If you want to sweat your makeup off.”
Mo chuckled at Pru’s muttered statement. Lilly, however, did not find it as amusing.
“I would suggest a venue up in the mountains, as it would provide picturesque views, amazing photo opportunities, ample accommodations for out-of-town guests, and the weather will be slightly cooler at higher elevations.”
This was why Lilly handled the clients and Pru handled the money. She was too logical to spin things. If a bride came up to her and said she wanted an outdoor wedding in Colorado during August—one of the hottest months of the year—she would tell the woman straight up how dumb an idea that was. Lilly had this magic touch. She could point out a problem without making it seem insurmountable.
Maybe Pru could learn a thing or two from her roommate. Perhaps Lilly could teach her how to remain cool in a crisis and not freak out every time her plan went awry. Because lately, that’s all it seemed to be doing.
…
Two weeks after their appointment, Finn found himself pulling up in front of Pru’s apartment building. They both had the day off and had decided to go to a few baby stores to start checking things out.
She might not want any help, but he’d be damned if he washed his hands of the whole matter and left her all on her own. He wasn’t trying to horn in on her motherhood. He just wanted to help his friend. He’d be doing this even if those weren’t his kids growing in her belly.
My kids.
It still freaked him out that he was going to be a father. He’d never imagined himself as a dad. Would they call him Dad? He had no idea. He didn’t want to take anything away from Pru, but he did want…something. What, he wasn’t exactly sure yet.
But something.
He couldn’t deny the small ache in his chest whenever he thought about those two little babies. Would they have his eyes? His crooked smile? Would they come out as bald as the baby pictures he’d seen of Pru or with a solid head of blond fuzz like he’d had?
And would they love him?
Growing up, his dad had been his biggest hero. Still was. But his parents were in a loving, committed relationship and had been for decades. He loved Pru the way you do with good friends, but they weren’t in love. They weren’t going to be a happy family all living together having Sunday barbeques and Wednesday game nights. They also weren’t going to be sharing custody, at odds and using the kids as leverage the way some broken relationships did.
Because they weren’t a broken relationship. Or a happy marriage. They were something different, something better—best friends. They could handle this, and that’s why he wanted to be a part of everything. He just had to remember that whenever those odd pangs rose in his chest.
Pulling his cell from his pocket, he shot Pru a text.
F: Downstairs. Want me to come up?
