“And if you decide to have kids, you’ll have the very best godmother in me. I’ll spoil ’em rotten and give ’em back to you hyped up on Pixie sticks.”
Noel wiped the back of one hand over her wet eyes, sniffling. What Gabby was describing sounded pretty great to Noel actually. Especially the kids part. Imagining a little boy who looked like Nick? A baby girl with her daddy’s brown eyes and kind soul? Victoria and Chris would make amazing grandparents and Nick’s sisters would be the best aunts ever.
The question was, could Noel open herself up after denying the desire for so long? Could she still be a good mom? Or was she too stifled to give Nick what he needed? What she’d always wanted, once upon a time?
Noel got up and grabbed a tissue from the box on the armoire, blowing her nose loudly. “Stop making me cry. This is supposed to be about you, not me.”
“I know, but before we make me the center of the universe, back to, um, you know…third base. Would that be you on him or him on you?”
Noel bit her lip as she sat back down. “Him on me.”
“And…” Noel cried out when Gabby slapped her knee. “Woman, it’s like pulling teeth with you! Details!”
“I’m sorry I’m not used to giving a play-by-play of my orgasms.”
“So you’re saying climax was achieved.” Gabby filled another drawstring bag, nodding in approval. “Hmmm, this is good. This is promising.”
“You’re being a creeper. Stop.”
The front door shut and they both quieted. Amber breezed through the doorway, slipping off her pink, puffy coat with a sly smile. “Hi, guys. I guess you didn’t hear me knock with all this riveting conversation.”
Noel wiped any emotional evidence away. The last thing she wanted was Amber seeing her in a weak moment. How long had she been standing inside the house listening and neither one of them had heard her?
“Pull up a chair, Amber,” Gabby said cheerfully. “We’re working on favors.”
“And talking about boys.” Amber hung her jacket over the back of her chair and sat down. “You know, Noel, if you need any advice about Nick, just ask. I know all the little tricks he likes.”
“Amber…” Gabby growled.
Noel nearly crushed the bag of candies in her hand. “Thanks. I think we’ll be okay.”
“Oh, I’m sure you will.” Amber picked up a bag and poured in some candies. “It’s hard being in a relationship, though. So many things to consider, especially with the state of marriage and how easily romances fall apart. You have to possess that certain something to be the marrying kind. Some women have it.” Amber glanced pointedly at Noel. “Others don’t.”
“Let’s talk about something else,” Gabby said, always the peacemaker.
“Hey, Amber, I meant to ask you. That white halter top you have. Can I borrow it?” Amber’s eyes narrowed when Noel smirked. “It’s just so cute.”
“I’d say yes, but I had a little accident with a tube of red lipstick. Can’t get the stain out.”
“Oh, that sucks.”
“Yeah. It’s a bitch!” Amber hissed.
“Language!” Eleanor yelled.
Noel scooted back from the table and stood. “I’m going to head into the kitchen and check in with your mom. See if she needs some help.”
“You’re so sweet, Noel,” Amber cooed.
“I know, Amber.”
Noel kissed the top of Gabby’s head and heard her friend hiss as she left the room.
“What was that all about? I told you to be nice!”
Amber scoffed. “Believe me, that was nice.”
Noel’s hackles spiked as she went into the kitchen, eyeballing every sharp object she passed. She needed to stop letting Amber get to her. Every time they ended up in the same room together, they were sixteen again. Passive aggressive. Nasty.
Even Noel knew her behavior was far from perfect, but she had the hardest time not rising to the bait.
“Noel, hey. You need something?”
Noel met Eleanor’s concerned gaze and smiled. “Nope, I was just coming in to check on you.”
Eleanor ate a mozzarella stick from the tray she was preparing, watching her thoughtfully. “Is Amber here?”
“She just walked through the door.”
“I assumed as much.”
She cocked her head to the side, puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“Gabby’s mentioned a time or two you don’t care for Amber.”