“A low point in my life I wish we could move on from.”
She laughs. “As long as we’re friends, I’ll never let you live that down.”
“Calling us friends now, Penny?”
“Well, we’re on our way to being friends, but I think we can get there and kick this co-parenting thing in the ass.”
For some reason, that irks me. Co-parenting. The term makes me feel like we did something wrong. Like we weren’t able to work something out, so we’re settling for co-parenting. Not that it’s a bad thing. A few guys on the team are co-parenting with an ex, and they’re killing it. But with Penny, it just feels weird because we never even gave anything a shot. Then again, we both agreed to be friends, so I don’t know why that bugs me.
It just does.
“We will,” I say, not bothering to bring up my thoughts. I’m honestly not sure I’d be able to articulate them in a way for her to understand. Instead, I say, “Thanks for this phone call. I know you were probably dreading it, but it’s almost like we shook off the stink.”
“Ew, what a horrible term.”
“You know what I mean. Like in running, the first five minutes are absolutely dreadful, but then you get into the flow of it, and it all seems pretty easy after that, right?”
“I prefer Pilates or barre.”
“Help me out, Penny.”
She laughs. “I know what you mean, and I agree. I feel much better, and if you call or text tomorrow, I’m sure it won’t be as bad as it was today.” As if she just realized what she said, she quickly backtracks. “But don’t feel obligated to call or text tomorrow. I know you have a life and all—”
“Penny, and I mean this in the most non-romantic way possible, you are my life now. So yes, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
The relief in her voice flows easily through the phone. “Okay. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Get some good sleep and text me in the morning to let me know how you’re feeling.”
“I will. Good night, Eli.”
“Night, Penny.”
I hang up and set my phone on my lap as I stare forward at the chair in front of me. The feeling I have floating through my chest is odd to explain, almost like I’m as light as a feather. The pressure building in my ribs and constricting my lungs has been released.
I can breathe.
I just hope that Penny is feeling the same relief. The same . . . peace.
Chapter Eleven
PENNY
“I brought smoothies . . . and Winnie,” Blakely says while charging through my office door, holding up a tray of drinks. Winnie follows her, looking as cute as can be in a pair of high-waisted jeans and a tucked-in V-neck long-sleeved shirt.
“Ta-da,” Winnie says while giving me jazz hands.
“Hey, what a great surprise.” I stand from my desk and give her a hug. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” Winnie smiles. She’s curvy and beautiful and so freaking perfect it’s nauseating. But I love her. She’s sweet and has the kindest heart, and she makes my brother extremely happy, which is all that matters in the long run. “This is a leotard, can you tell?” She plucks at the maroon fabric.
“I wondered how you got such a good tuck,” Blakely says. “How does it ride in the crotch area?”
“High and tight. I believe a one-inch piece of fabric barely covers my vagina. But there’s something to be said about walking around, wondering if the next step will be the final step of giving yourself a frontal wedgie.”
I chuckle. “What a way to live life. So exhilarating.”
“Living life on the edge over here,” Winnie says.
We all take a seat, and Blakely hands out the smoothies. “Yours is the pregnancy special,” Blakely says. “I’m not sure what’s exactly in it, but they told me it is full of the nutrients you need, and it tastes good, so it checked off my boxes.”
I take a sip, wary at first, but when the flavor combination of strawberries and bananas hits my tongue, I’m pleasantly surprised. “Wow, it’s good.”
“I’m glad because that was a real guess on my end.” She sips her green smoothie along with Winnie.
“So how are you feeling?” Winnie asks.
“Pretty good. Still nauseous, but not throwing up. I hate the feeling of being sick to my stomach, but at least I’m not heaving over the toilet every morning. I’m grateful for that.”
“Was your mom the same way?” Winnie asks.