Page 220 of You've Got Hate Mail
“Bots didn’t invent themselves. People invented them. People did this to people. But I’m so glad you found your way here.”
She’s not hugging me, but I feel hugs all the same.
Hugs and warmth and light.
Sympathy instead of judgment.
Support, just like I get from Heath and all of the ladies here.
“Heath said you were hiking Central America? That must’ve been fascinating. I’d love to see pictures.”
She shares pictures of their adventures and asks to see videos of my favorite lifestyle pieces from my old life, then asks about the grapes and the winery between visits from Lav, who’s dashing between us and the men with more energy than I’ve ever seen.
She insists I take a trip around the bounce house to make sure it’s clear of dragons.
Vivian joins us too, slashing and kicking and battling the imaginary dragons.
Heath keeps looking our way and smiling.
His parents are staying in the apartment beneath his house, so I’m staying in his bedroom while they’re here.
Lav’s taking the change in stride.
And I don’t want to move back into the apartment when Vivian and Thor leave for their next adventure. Based on Heath’s reaction to having me in his bed, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want me to either.
Everything is so good.
Sogood.
Kids start arriving, and the next hour and a half passes in a blur of children’s shrieks and a shaking bounce house and balloon animal-making—Heath and me—and balloon animal-popping—the kids.
And his parents.
All of the ladies from the main house are here too, including Pip, who’s wearing booty shorts and a skimpy tube top, which is still the biggest clothing I’ve seen her in outside of her nightgown.
With so many of us helping run the party, there’s plenty of time for socializing too.
Heath introduces me as his girlfriend to several of Lav’s classmates’ parents, including Jennifer, mom of Leland, who does, in fact, have three boyfriends, though the fourth wasn’t eaten by a shark.
Apparently Leland is the shark slayer to Lav’s dragon slayer.
“Can I ask you something?” Jennifer murmurs to me as we watch the kids run around.
“Of course,” I reply.
“Did you go viral a few months ago?”
I freeze.
“Oh my gosh, no judgment,” she adds hastily. “I just wanted to say you’re beautiful and what the trolls did to you was terrible, and if you ever want someone to talk to about it, well—you can’t have three boyfriends without getting a lot of comments, you know?”
I throw my arms around her and hug her.
Can’t help it.
She laughs against my shoulder. “Seriously, we should have coffee. There are a few other moms here that you’d love.”
“How is this place so fantastic?” I ask her.
