Page 27 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
“That’s amazing news,” Mia told her. “When will you know?”
“Another week or so,” Josie said. “And it’s probably too much to hope for it to happen on the first try, right? But I’m already driving myself crazy trying to imagine if Ifeelpregnant.” Her eyes sparkled as she touched her stomach. “Which is so weird, you know? I guess straight and bi women go through this all the time, but I’ve never in my life had to wonder if I was pregnant. Never even thought about it.”
“Me either.” Mia had never been with a man, so that was one thing she’d never worried about when she had sex. She’d wanted a family, though. It was probably for the best that she and Kristin had never gotten around to starting one, given how things ended. “Well, I’m crossing my fingers for you. I hope it happens quickly.”
“Thank you.” Josie took another sip. “Eve’s been pretty emotional about it. She lost her first wife and their unborn daughter in a car crash about seven years ago.”
Mia felt the breath rush from her lungs. “I had no idea.”
“It’s been hard for her, deciding to try again for a family. I just hope everything goes smoothly, for both of our sakes, but for her especially.”
“I hope so too,” Mia told her. “You’re trying insemination?”
Josie nodded, then grinned. “And Adam is our donor.” Adam was one of Josie’s best friends and the new manager of Dragonfly. He was a great guy, from what Mia knew of him.
“Oh, that’s wonderful.”
“He’ll be Uncle Adam. He’s excited.” Josie sipped her latte. “So am I…likeridiculouslyexcited.”
“I bet. I’m so happy for you,” Mia said. “And definitely count me in for babysitting duty when the time comes.”
“Really?” Josie asked, still smiling. “You?”
Mia scoffed. “Admittedly, I don’t have much experience, but I love being around my friends’ kids.”
They chatted for a few more minutes while Josie finished her latte and Mia ate her lunch. Then they checked on Mayhem and Chaos, who were currently wrestling at the top of the cat tree while Gilbert watched from the cubby below.
“They seem to be doing just fine,” Josie said as she reached up to pet Chaos.
“Agreed,” Mia said as Josie made her way around the cat enclosure, greeting each of the adoptable cats with the gentle enthusiasm that never failed to reassure even the most skittish foster cat. Josie had been an invaluable resource to Mia as she was getting her café up and running.
Mia smiled as she watched Josie cradle Mayhem in her arms, cooing at him like he was a human baby while he batted at her fingers. Josie would be an amazing mom. Mia felt a tug of longing in her chest. She hadn’t thought much about babies lately, having assumed she’d missed her chance, but suddenly, she found herself hoping for a second chance at love and a family too.
* * *
Lauren hurrieddown the sidewalk toward Whiskers Cat Café. She’d been delayed on the subway, and now she was dangerously close to running late, which was not at all the impression she wanted to make. She’d spent the morning chasing job and apartment leads all over Brooklyn, only to come up empty on both fronts. No one, it seemed, wanted to hire or rent to a felon.
Since pending charges would show up on a background check, she’d been upfront about it when filling out applications to avoid wasting anyone’s time. Although she hadn’t been convicted and probably wouldn’t be, this felony charge was a huge mark against her.
And even if she overcame that hurdle, many of the rooms she’d applied for required deposits that exceeded the meager contents of her bank account. Building a new life for herself in Brooklyn wasn’t going to be easy, but she refused to give up on her dream.
It was too soon to panic, but already her money was running short. The hostel was expensive. Even thirty dollars a night added up when she didn’t have a steady source of income. This part-time job at the café was a good start, though, and she wasn’t going to screw it up. She glanced at her phone. She still had ten minutes, and she was only two blocks away.
“Lauren?”
She looked up to see Josie walking toward her, and her stomach clenched uncomfortably. Things had gone reasonably well when Lauren met with her to pay her back, but still, she was probably the last person Josie wanted to see this afternoon. “Hi, Josie.”
To her surprise, Josie gave her a warm smile. “On your way to the café? I just came from there myself, and Mia mentioned you were working for her part time.”
Lauren nodded. “Yeah. I’m working with the cats. It’s pretty great so far.”
Josie’s smile widened. “I’m glad. Hey, I just wanted you to know that we’re good, okay? I don’t want things to be awkward, especially since we’re both friends with Mia. As far as I’m concerned, the slate between us is wiped clean.”
“That’s awfully generous of you,” Lauren said, ducking her head as heat pricked her cheeks.
“Everyone deserves a second chance, Lauren.” Josie’s lips twisted to the side. “Well, noteveryone, but most people do.”
“Thank you,” Lauren told her.
