Page 27 of Triple Threat
Glancing through the windshield, I couldn’t help but agree. As much as I loved our little apartment on the west side of the city, it couldn’t compare to these neighborhoods. Kids raced by on bikes, and families played in the front yard. It was as if someone had yanked the scene out of a Hallmark movie, and we were the unwelcome invaders.
Despite every instinct telling me to turn around, I kept going until I found the address Victoria texted me this morning. “I promise, she’s nice,” I said, unsure if it was for Chelsea’s sake or mine. “It’s supposed to be only a few of us—some girls Victoria knows through Hadley, I guess. I think they’re teachers?” I shook my head, trying to remember the details, but came up blank. “It’ll be fine.”
The GPS cut me off, declaring we’d arrived at our destination. My jaw dropped as I pulled off the main road, my SUV bumping down a long, expansive driveway. It only hung lower when we cleared the trees, and a large, white brick home came into view. This was not what I expected. The home was easily the largest on the block, surrounded by thick woods and the lake in the background. The driveway curved around to the front door, and several cars already took up the prime spots. Each one was a high-end, luxury sports car that would take me a decade to pay for. Thank God I drove my little SUV, not poor little beat-up Betty. She would have died on the spot.
“Didn’t you say these girls run a daycare?” Chelsea muttered, shifting in her seat as I parked the car. “Is it a front for the mafia?”
I glanced in the rearview mirror, debating whether I should turn around. It wasn’t like Victoria had spotted me?—
A sharp knock on the window made me jump. My heart pounded in my chest as I turned, finding a woman standing by the car window.Hadley.With her blonde curls and bright grin, I recognized her from the photos in Sunshine Academy’s lobby.
“Oh my God! You’re here!”
Shit.
She waved, and I turned back to my friend, keeping the strained smile on my face. “What do we do now?”
“We get out of the car,” Chelsea said through her teeth. “And pray we don’t have any stains on our clothes.”
Or holes.My forced grin strained as I pushed open the door, flinching as a baby toy fell out with me. Hadley bent down to get it and handed it to me with no judgment, but my cheeks heated with embarrassment. One look at the state of my car, and she’d realize she did not want me at her party. She might not even want my daughter at her school.
“Hey…” I drawled. “You must be Hadley.”
“Yes!” she beamed back at me. “I’m so glad you made it. Victoria’s been talking about you all week, and I’m thrilled you came today.” She peeked into the back seat. “I’m dying to meet Anna. Victoria already said she’s the sweetest little thing. I can’t wait to get to know you better.”
I inhaled slowly, unsure how to handle so much positive energy at one time. Victoria described her best friend as a ball of sunshine, but experiencing it in real life was a little overwhelming. I ran my hand through my hair, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m not sure we can stay long. Anna’s back at home, and she’s been a little fussy today.”
Smooth, Kins. Really fucking smooth. But one benefit of having a baby? They were the perfect excuse to get you out of any social event.
“It’s the house, right?” She sighed and shook her head. “Trust me, I get it. Growing up, I never imagined living out here. Hell, I would’ve settled for a house with an actual foundation.” She leaned in closer, “I promise, you’re welcome here, Kinsley. We want you both here.”
My eyes slammed shut, both humiliated and grateful she understood my concerns without me having to voice them. “Sorry, force of habit. Thank you for letting me bring my friend.” I waved Chelsea over from the passenger side and made introductions.
“I’m glad you’re both here.” Hadley smiled. “Victoria’s been telling everyone about you. She’s already decided next time, we’re making this a family thing so Anna and Zach can play together. He’s been dying for another baby to come around. Honestly, you’re doing me a favor. Keeps Victoria from pestering me about having kids right now.” She waved us towards the house. “Come, come. There’s so much food to eat!”
We walked up the driveway, Chelsea walking ahead of us toward Victoria waiting by the front entrance while I stayedbehind with Hadley. As we entered her house, she told me all about her fiancé and how they’d met in college but couldn’t stand each other for years. “And one day, it clicked.” She shrugged. “I didn’t hate him, not as much as I told myself.”
“And Victoria was okay with it?” I flinched at the judgment in my tone. “I mean, just because they were together and have a daughter?—”
“She encouraged it,” Hadley giggled. “She and Cam might not have worked out, but they are family, and she wants him to be happy. No one would have thought we’d work so well together, but we do.” She shuddered. “I promise, I’m not usually this sappy, but with the wedding coming up, I can’t help it.”
“No, please do,” I said. “I’m romance starved, so let me live vicariously through you.”
Hadley arched her brow at me. “No one at home waiting for you?”
I snorted. “Not even close.”
Hadley’s steps slowed down, ever so slightly, but enough that my senses tingled. She smirked back at me. “And are you interested…”
My smile faltered, and my mind flashed back to my night with Jace. He was the last person I felt safe enough with to let down my guard—the last person who made my heart race with anticipation. When I closed my eyes, picturing being with someone else, his image came to mind, his memory more enticing than the possibility of anyone else. Sometimes, when I was alone in my apartment, I’d let myself dream, imagine what life would have been like if he’d called me back. Pictured him at my side, holding Anna in his arms, beaming with pride.
But reality extinguished the illusion: the missing phone calls, the blocked messages. Nothing like being ghosted by a man when you were carrying his baby. Although, who knew? Maybe Iwas just one in a long line of baby mamas left behind in favor of something different. Ofsomeonedifferent.
“No,” I said, my tone firm. “Anna’s all I need right now.”
“No judgment here. If my baby was that cute, I’d be the same way.” She swung open the door, and women’s voices echoed from inside. Loud laughter and the sound of a timer going off hummed through the house, and my mouth watered at the smell of barbecue and fried foods. For a moment, my anxiety uncurled, and breathing became easier.
At least, until Hadley ushered us further inside, and we walked into the foyer, where a large portrait hung over a console table. My feet stuttered to a stop as it caught my eye, unable to look away from Hadley nestled in someone’s arms, who I could only assume was her fiancé, Cam.
