Page 88 of Ruin The Friendship
Fat tears roll down Lydia’s round cheeks as she sits on the couch, huddled under her thick blanket with open bags of popcorn surrounding her. Music blares from the TV, and Lydia flicks her gaze to me for only a moment before throwing her head back with a groan.
“Go away.” She wipes her tears.
“No chance of that.” I have to push like four bags of popcorn out of the way, but I get closer, sitting beside her and holding her and rubbing her arms. “What’s going on?”
Lydia lets out a frustrated groan. “My mom.”
“What happened?” I don’t want to upset her more, but I can’t help unless I know what’s going on.
She sniffles, taking a deep breath. “She missed the scheduled call this morning because she decided we need touse my baby shower as a networking event for me. Well, us, I suppose.”
“Anetworkingevent?” I frown. “Why on Earth would we do that?”
“Because my job ‘isn’t going to get me far,’ and I should be using you to ‘take my career further.’” Lydia looks over at me, her eyes shining.
My anger at her mother burns. I should be upset that she wants to use me, but right now, I’m only focused on Lydia.
“Then, I was so upset, and all I wanted was popcorn, but none of it is as good as the popcorn they have at the arena. So now I’m crying because of the four bags of popcorn I got, they all taste horrible.”
I laugh softly, reaching into my jacket. “Well, I can solve one of your problems right now.”
“Oh, really?” Lydia replies with a hint of sass, waving her hands flippantly. I love it when she gets a little feisty. “Pretty sure you can’t get the concession stand at the arena to open just to make the pregnant woman in your life a bucket of popcorn.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose. “Even I realize how ridiculous I sound. I’m crying over popcorn.”
“Beautiful, look at me.” I use my other hand to grip her chin between my fingers.
Lydia squeezes her eyes shut for a moment before opening and locking her gaze with mine.
“There’s my girl.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “I got you something.”
Pulling the large—but definitely not big enough—bag from under my jacket, I hold it out to Lydia like a present. “Maybe this will make you feel better.”
Pure shock breaks out on her face. “How did you get that? Fletcher! Did you break into the arena?”
I laugh, passing her the bag. “No, I didn’t. Don’t worry about it. But when you run out of this bag, I’ll get you more. You only have to ask.”
“Really?” More tears well in her eyes.
“Absolutely. That’s my job, isn’t it? To take care of you and our little ladybug.” I reach out, resting my hand over her bump.
I haven’t felt the baby kick yet. Hopefully soon. I can’t wait.
Lydia’s watery grin sends sparks of lightning through my body. My life’s purpose is her. She’s my reason for breathing, for living. And now, we get to bring a baby girl into the mix, and I couldn’t be happier. An image of Lydia teaching a little girl with curly brown hair and bright blue eyes flashes in my head, and it makes me so irrationally happy. I know that I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do. They’re my people, the ones I want to make my family.
“Thank you.” She cups my cheek with one hand, kissing me quickly. The popcorn is in her other hand, and when she pulls away from the kiss, I know she’s trying her hardest not to rip it open and devour it.
“Dig in, beautiful.” I open the bag for her.
To my surprise, she yanks it from my reach, her eyes wide. She lets out a heavy sigh when she sees the smile on my face.
“I thought you were going to take it from me,” she admits. “Apparently, I’m a little territorial of my popcorn.”
I laugh. “I can tell.”
She opens the bag, sniffing in the buttery smell and taking a handful of popcorn, shoving it into her mouth. The instant look of relief on her face is almost comical.
“Good?” I ask, not daring to grab some, even though I desperately want to.
