Page 99 of Knot Convenient

“Almost a year! I can hardly believe it. It’s flown by so quickly.”

Annie nodded, looking wistful. “The first few years go so fast. When you look back on them, it feels like no time has passed at all, but when you’re in the thick of it, it feels like time is moving like molasses.”

“It feels like yesterday he was just a squishy little newborn.”

“I bet. I remember the newborn days. There are some things you can only get then, and it’s nice. But oof, so much of it is a challenge. I suppose that’s true at any age, though.”

“Very true. I’ll admit I’m really looking forward to no more diapers—oh, and to him being able to talk to me. Being able to tell me what he wants will be so much more straightforward.”

“Have you thought about day care?” Annie asked.

I took a sip of my iced latte. “Not really. Milo was in day care in California, but it wasn’t the best. I was a student, and it was all I could afford. Now I’m not in school, so…”

Annie nodded. “That makes sense. I put Finn in day care when he was around one just to help socialize him. There is a fabulous little day care here in town run by Rosie. She’s a gem, adores children. Takes excellent care of them.”

“I had no idea!” I set my drink down and snagged a bit of my pastry. “I’ll think about that, because you’re right. It really is good to let them get exposed to other people and kids. I’ve been thinking about taking some classes online, so that would be handy.”

“One hundred percent. Rosie doesn’t really advertise because she’s so busy. Everyone wants a place in her nursery because she takes such good care of the kids. She actually cares, you know? If you don’t want to do that, though, there are so many playgroups and events you can bring the little guy to so he can interact with more kids his age.”

“Thank you so much. You have no idea how nice it is to talk to another parent; I didn’t really have any other parent friends in California.”

“Oh, that will not do. You need a village. Baby raising is no joke! Even once they’re out of the baby stage, they’re still a handful. Finn is at the stage where he thinks he’s a superhero and tries to climb every surface imaginable. Kids…”

“Sounds like I have a lot to look forward to.” I chuckled.

“It’s chaos, but it is absolutely amazing. Just be thankful you have your pack to help. The number of times I had to ask my mates to take him to the park so I could decompress was real, but needed for my sanity.”

“Of course you did! Village, right?” I smiled at her, and Annie laughed, nodding quite a bit.

“Finn is just waiting for the day he’s allowed to spend more time at the garage with his dad. He’s starting to get interested in trucks and cars.”

For a moment, I thought about what Milo would be like at that age. Would he be asking to go to the garage with Marshall? Something about that idea made my chest feel both warm and tight.

On the one hand, I was happy to have help with Milo. On the other hand, it felt weird not being my son’s only person anymore. It was an adjustment, but one I had to make for his sake.

And mine, if I was honest.

Sane moms are better moms.

“I bring cheese!” Audrey declared, swinging by our table and dropping off two steaming cheese buns.

“A godsend!” Annie laughed, putting her hands together in a praying motion.

“I’m the best, I know. Summer, are you going to come to margarita night?”

“Margarita night?” I asked, tilting my head as I looked between them.

Annie chuckled. “Every few months, we have a margarita night at Audrey’s place. It’s usually just a few of our friends in town, but it’s a good time.”

“Please say you’ll come. It’s so fun having a fresh face in town! We can do virgin margaritas if you’re still breastfeeding too.”

“That sounds like fun. However, I don’t need any virgin cocktails. Give me the alcoholic margarita. Milo is bottle-fed.”

I was ready to explain why my son was bottle-fed, because people usually asked and made an annoyingly big deal about it, but these two didn’t seem to care. They simply smiled and nodded.

“Good, Mama needs a cocktail every now and again!” Audrey nodded.

“You know what, between poker night at the B&B and margarita night with you guys? What kind of town have I come to?” I laughed.