My Real (24 page)

“Yes, I have it all planned out. You are going to help me ask Bailey to marry us. But remember, it’s a secret. Don’t tell Bailey,” She nods and smiles at me. “Good girl, I’ll get your things. You go get buckled in; we have to get going.” Emerson skips to the car, humming to herself.

“How long do you think she’s going to be able to keep that secret?” My mom asks me as she walks me to the door.

“Only until I pick her up from Jessica’s. Then, I’m taking Bailey and Emerson to Hershey Park.”

“You’re proposing to her at a theme park?” she questions with a raised eyebrow.

“A chocolate theme park,” I wink, kiss her on the cheek, and leave.

A few minutes later we are pulling into our driveway to see that Jessica is already there. Emerson is bouncing up and down in her car seat. When I pull to a stop, I can already see that Jessica is in a pissy mood.

“You’re late Andrew. I told you I wanted to leave before rush hour traffic. Do you know what a nightmare it is to drive though Philadelphia traffic at 5:00?” She is yelling before I even have my car door closed.

“So nice to see you again too, Jessica. And by the way, it’s Sunday night, there is no rush hour traffic,” I answer sarcastically as I unload Emerson’s things from my mom’s house and put them right into Jessica’s open trunk. Then, I open Jessica’s car door for Emerson.

“Don’t be an ass, Andrew. The Phillies are probably playing or something,” she argues.

“I’m five minutes late. All I need to grab is some sun screen and her bathing suit. Everything else is in there.” I say pointing to the trunk as I pass her. “Next time, if you’re so worried about being late, give me more notice that you want to take a trip.”

I walk into the house, shaking my head. The attitude that woman has is astounding. I feel bad for Emerson. If Jessica is in this bad of a mood now and with a long drive to only make it worse, Emerson isn’t in for a very fun drive. I better pack her some things to keep her occupied. Emerson does not need to be at the tail end of Jessica’s rants just because she wants to talk and sing.

Less than two minutes later, I’m back outside handing Emerson her bag. Jessica is tapping her foot and pouting like a five-year-old.

I lean in the car and kiss Emerson on the head. “I love you to the moon and back kiddo. Have fun at the beach and make me a big sandcastle,” I say.

I stand up to find Jessica still tapping her foot. Child. “Do you have any idea when you’ll be home?”

“I’ll be home when I’m home. Since when did I ever have to answer to you?” she asks, snidely.

“I just need to know when so I have someone to watch her while I’m at work.” Is this really how this is going to be for the next few years?

Jessica now rolls her eyes at me. “I’ll text you.”

I can’t believe I’m sitting in traffic listening to this twerp sing. I must have been crazy to think that this would be a good idea. Crazy or drunk. I took off of work thinking Cary would go with me to Mexico to have a romantic getaway to celebrate my divorce. I guess I should’ve have told him my plans before I took off. How was I supposed to know he was on a business trip this week? I can’t believe he didn’t cancel it like I told him to. He’s got some nerve. He won’t be getting any for a while until he makes this up to me. What do I want? A new diamond would be nice, or a new car. I’ll have to think about this.

“Mommy, did you hear what I said? Mommy?”

“What?” I snap back at Emerson. “Can’t you see that I’m trying to drive, Emerson?”

“Sorry Mommy. I’ll sit quiet now. I’m just excited to get to wear a pretty dress.”

Pretty dress? What is she talking about? I hope Andrew didn’t pack any of those ugly dresses his mom always buys for Emerson. I’m so tired of seeing her in those things. I thought I threw away the last of them.

“What dress are you talking about Emerson?” I ask impatiently.

“My flower girl dress. I said do you think that Daddy will let me pick out my flower girl dress.”

“Why do you need a flower girl dress? Is Daddy getting married?”

“Yes. He’s going to ask Bailey”

“Is that so?” So, he thinks he’s going to go off and get married. That’s so cute.

Monday morning, bright and early, my phone starts buzzing. Andrew left early last night after movie night so that he could get up early for work. I stayed up reading all night. I haven’t had much of a chance to read lately, and I planned to sleep in today. Damn phone buzzing.

Ella:
Wanted- new best friend to replace the missing one I used to have.

Bailey:
Sorry!! Lunch today?

Ella:
What, no kid today? I rate just under the kid … Nice.

Bailey:
She’s on vacation with Jessica. I’m sorry I’ve neglected you. Lunch is on me. Your pick.

Ella:
You better bring your credit card.

I roll over and pull the pillow over my head. I am woken again when my whole bed starts shaking.

“Get your ass out of bed. You’re taking me to breakfast too,” Ella says with a slap on my butt then leaves the room. I drag myself out of bed and get dressed in shorts, a tank top, and flip flips. A pedicure is called for the level of groveling I have to do. I have been a crappy friend. I always hated those friends that seem to disappear once a man comes into the picture. I’ve become that girl. I suck.

“Best friend. I’ve missed you so much,” I exclaim as I throw my arms around her when I walk into the kitchen. A little groveling with a side of sucking up will do nicely.

“Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. Let’s go. I’m starving,” she picks up her purse and walks out the door.

A few minutes later, we are sitting at the diner, waiting for our breakfast.

“So, how was your weekend away with Lover Boy?” Ella keeps glancing at my hand. I know what she is going to say before it even leaves her mouth. The same thing was on my mind all weekend.

“It was perfect,” I respond after sipping my hot chocolate with a smile on my face. And it was. I wouldn’t change a second of it.

“I don’t see a ring on your finger; it couldn’t have been that perfect,” she states.

“No, he didn’t propose. I kinda thought he was going to. He was so secretive about the whole weekend, even once we got up there,” I confess.

“You don’t seem too sad about that. I really thought he was going to do it. I was looking up maid-of-honor dresses. I was also looking forward to spending more time with that hottie, Jake, while planning the wedding,” she admits. I just shrug. I didn’t really feel anything either way about the subject. Did I think he was going to propose? Kind of. Would I have said yes if he had asked? Absolutely. Was I sad that he didn’t? Trying not to think about that. There is plenty of time for that.

“He did ask me to move in with him,” I offer. My smile is back.

“What?” She nearly chokes on her coffee. Angrily she asks, “What did you say?”

“What’s wrong with me moving in with him? Getting married is okay, but not moving in with him?”

“Yes. If you get engaged, you won’t get married for at least a year. When do you plan on moving in? Soon, right?” She is getting angrier by the minute. The vein in her forehead is starting to pop out.

“Why are you getting upset?” I question.

“When are you planning on moving in with him Bailey?”

“We didn’t set a date but I’d think before school starts,” I admit.

“He’s not even divorced yet.”

I didn’t answer. I hadn’t thought of it that way. I still want to live with him. Is that so horrible? No, I’m not going to let Ella talk me out of this. This is the right decision for me. I look up at Ella and I can tell she knows where my head is. She just shakes her head at me.

“Please, do me one favor,” she waits until I nod to continue. “Don’t sell your house until the divorce is finalized.”

“What do you think is going to happen? Do you think he’s going to get back together with Jessica?” Now it’s my turn to be angry. Why can’t she just be happy for me?

“No, I don’t. Just please don’t sell your house.” I guess she has a point. Not that I don’t trust Andrew, because I do, with my life. But it would be smart to keep my house until the papers are signed.

“Alright. Alright. I’ll wait.” I let out a sigh.

We finish breakfast and walk across the street to the nail salon. This is the reason I love this little town. You can park your car and grocery shop, grab a bite to eat, get your hair and nails done, do a little shopping, and hit the library all in one stop.

We pick out our polish, pink for me like always, and slut red for Ella, and take a seat in the pedicure chairs.

“So you’re moving away.” She looks at me with puppy dog eyes and her lip pouting out.

“It’s ten miles down the road Ella. It’s not like I’m moving to another state,” I counter.

“I know but you won’t be right down the block from me anymore. And, you’re getting a ready-made family. You won’t have time for me,” she whines.

“School starts soon. I’ll be seeing you every day,” I remind her.

“True.” She pauses. I wait for her to finish collecting her thoughts because I can tell by the look on her face she is about to get mushy. It doesn’t happen often but when it does, it’s a dozy.

“I’m really happy for you Bailey. You’ve been put through the ringer by that asshole. No one deserves a happily ever after more than you do.” The tears are starting to form in her eyes. “I like Andrew; I really do. I know I gave you grief about moving in with him, but I think the two of you are perfect together. He treats you like the princess that you are,” she cries.

Ella jumps up from her chair sloshing water all over the floor. She throws her arms around me and doesn’t let go.

“I love you Bailey. I can’t wait to be your maid of honor,” she squeals.

We both start laughing. “I love you too Ella, but who says you’ll be my maid of honor?”

She punches me in the arm and sits back down.

“So,” she says wiping the mascara off her face. “Does this mean we are going to the hardware store to get paint after we finish here?”

“You know me all too well.”

“How was your weekend? Is she moving in with you?” Jake asks from his side of the lab bench Monday morning. I asked Jake’s opinion about moving in with Bailey. He encouraged me to go for it. He didn’t live with his wife before they got married and that didn’t end well at all. They quickly saw that they couldn’t live with each other, which is why he is also going through a divorce. His is not so simple though. His wife is trying to take him for every penny he has, which is a lot.

“She said yes. We haven’t really talked about when it’s happening yet, but I’m hoping it’s soon. I don’t really want to wait until she sells her house.”

“So she is going to sell it?” Jake asks as he starts making the solution for the medicine we are testing. TAJ0628, whatever that is, probably something for erectile dysfunction.

“I guess so. We don’t need two houses,” I guess.

“What if you rented it out to someone? Someone looking to have a quicker commute to work. Someone like your best friend,” he states.