Simple Perfection by Abbi Glines Page A

for lunch?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.
    “I’m starving. Nate isn’t sleeping as much as he used to. He keeps me busy but it’s wonderful. Downside is, I don’t have a lot of time to eat. When Rush is home he helps out a ton and makes sure I have time to eat. Anyway, I’m ready for a baby-free meal.”
    Nate was Rush and Blaire’s baby boy. He was an adorable mixture of the two of them. I didn’t normally think guys with piercings and that rough rock star look were attractive, but Rush Finlay holding a baby in his arms was very nice to look at.
    “Is Rush with Nate now?” I asked as we walked to the dining room.
    “Yes. They’re going fishing, which means Nate is going to sit on a blanket and eat sand, if he can get to the edge of the blanket, and Rush is going to fish for about five minutes before realizing he can’t fish and watch Nate at the same time. Then he’ll stop fishing and they’ll sit at the edge of the water and let their feet get wet.”
    The happiness in Blaire’s voice was unmistakable. Rush Finlay made her happy. She made him happy. That was what I had with Woods but it was different. Rush could leave her alone with their baby and not worry about her zoning out and getting lost in her head. He could love her and not worry that his baby would inherit her mental illness. Their love was easy. It was the kind that would go the distance. What Woods and I had wasn’t.
    Every time I saw Rush holding his baby, I wanted that for Woods. The proud look in his eyes and joy on his face. I couldn’t give him that.
    “You okay?” Blaire’s voice broke into my thoughts and I forced a smile.
    “I’m sorry. Work on the brain. I promise to shut it off and be a good lunch date,” I assured her.
    “As long as it’s work that’s causing that distressed look on your face,” Blaire replied, sounding like she didn’t believe me.
    I hadn’t been brave enough to talk to my best friend, Braden, about this. She loved me fiercely and thought I could do no wrong. She also thought I could be a mother and stable wife. She lived in a fairy tale that I didn’t allow myself to step into. Would Blaire be the same way, or would she see my side and understand my fears?
    The hostess snapped to attention when she saw me and led us to Woods’s table. He had told the staff in the dining room that his table should be available at my convenience.
    “Oh, we get the good table,” Blaire said, grinning, as we sat down. “I guess you’re the boss now, too.”
    “Woods made a big deal out of them always seating me here.” I felt myself blush and Blaire laughed.
    “That’s sweet,” she said.
    I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. It was sweet. Woods was always sweet. He was impossible to get mad at. Even when he deserved it. Like when he made the new server, Ken, almost pee his pants for talking to me.
    Jimmy came strutting out of the kitchen, grinning at us.
    “Looks like we’re going to get special service, too,” I said, nodding my head toward Jimmy.
    “Well, hello, my beauties. I didn’t know I was gonna get this lucky today,” he said with a southern drawl that made most women drool over him.
    “Hello, Jimmy,” Blaire said.
    “You broke loose from baby duty, I see,” he teased.
    “It’s never a duty,” she replied.
    “Sweet tea for both of you?” he asked.
    “Sparkling mineral water for me,” Blaire told him.
    His eyebrows shot up and then he laughed. “Well look at Alabama getting all sophisticated with her water choices. Damn, baby girl, I remember when you drank water out of the tap.”
    Blaire laughed. “It’s better for the baby than soda or tea. That’s all.”
    “Mmm-hmm, next you’re gonna be ordering sushi with that raw shit in it,” he said, shaking his finger at her. Then he shot us both a wink and turned to head back to the kitchen.
    “He’s a mess,” Blaire said with fondness in her tone.
    “Yes he is, but he runs the kitchen so well. I don’t know what