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Chapter 22

Warrick

The girls have been checking in with me daily on the progress of the surprise. It’s been three weeks since I brought them in on it. Hazel comes by each day on her way home to check on the progress. Even when there aren't any updates, she still stops by to check. Thankfully, I received a notification this morning that the chair was being delivered today. I have no idea how we have kept this secret as long as we have, but we are almost to the end. We are down to the last day. It couldn’t have run up the clock anymore than it did.

Everything else has arrived and just been sitting in the boxes in the new room waiting for this final piece. I call the delivery driver and arrange for an afternoon delivery, then shoot off a message in our small group chat Nova created because she was tired of bouncing around the message threads. Sometimes, she just sends memes she finds hilarious and we all react because we know she is struggling right now. Between the babies, the wedding coming up, and being stuck on the couch, she is just tired of being alone.

The chair will arrive at 2 p.m. today! I know we are all getting ready for the Bachelor/Bachelorette parties. Anyone have time to squeeze in to help me put everything together?

Gail: You don’t need to worry. We will all be there, except Nova, who better be resting. Otherwise, she will be on bed rest while we party.

Nova: ??

Gail: Watch it, young lady! I’m not too old to whoop your ass.

Nova: You have to come over here and I can leave before your old ass gets here!

Gail: On my way, dearie!

Hazel: … what did I just walk in on?

These two clogging up the group chat again.

Nova: Kiss my ass, Warrick.

Hazel: Warrick, I’ll be there. I’m excited to see everything set up.

Nova adds Willow to the group chat.

Hazel: What are you doing, Nova?

Nova: ??

Willow: What the fuck is this chat, and why is that asshole in a chat with you three?

Nova: Oh goodie! My own version of Real Housewives. ??

Gail: Nova, you better explain it to her. You started this.

Nova: ?? ??

Willow: Someone better explain …

Sigh, Nova, just because you love the drama shows doesn’t mean that we need to make it happen in real life. Willow, can I call you? It would be faster and easier to explain if I do.

Willow: Sure …

Swiping away from the text thread, irritated with Nova and her antics, I click Willow’s contact and hit call.

It doesn’t even fully ring before she answers. “Explain.”

A heavy breath pushes out of me as my shoulders drop. I run through the entire story again because I know with Willow, there is only one way to win her over: honesty.

When I finish explaining everything, she says, “I’m hurt, Rick. Why wasn’t I brought in on Operation Win Over Aspen?”

I rub my hand across the back of my neck as I pace across the living room. “Honestly, I was trying to keep this as minimal as possible. I didn’t want it to get back to her. So, the fewer people who know, the better. I’m pretty sure that Gail brought in Nova because the girl is practically living on her couch watching drama TV all day.”

“Shit, that’s fair. Last time I came over, I was pretty sure that the couch was about to swallow her and she would become a cushion soon.”