Page 79 of Love Me Like You Do

“Oh, I misunderstood,” Phinny said. “I thought the two of you were adopting them.”

Hope took form—so thick, sharp, and real—it surprised her. Just a few days ago, the prospect of keeping them had been unthinkable. “Ideally, we’ll find a good family for them. If not…it’ll have to be me. Cole won’t be adopting them.”

“Well, you don’t have to make any decisions right now,” Glori said soothingly. “I have a feeling by the time you do, you’ll be ready. That’s the way these things go.”

“And just know we’re here.” Stella gestured around the table. “All of us. We’re your support army.”

“She means that,” another woman said. “We really are.”

“Thank you.” She wanted to believe them. She really did. It was just…she’d been let down so many times.

“Rosie’s got kids around that age,” Callie said. “And I’m…” Her features softened, and her color rose in her cheeks.

“No.” Knox, the most subdued of all of them, jumped out of her chair and threw her arms around the woman. “You’re pregnant?”

Callie nodded, and she looked too emotional to speak. All of them started speaking at once.

“Oh, my God, I’m so happy for you.”

“That’s the best news ever.”

“I get to be an auntie.”

“You’re already an aunt.”

“So, I get to be one again.”

“You could get pregnant and letmebe an auntie.”

“Okay, okay,” Glori said. “Let’s start the meeting. We can talk about all the good stuff while we’re eating. Hailey, why don’t you start? Fill us in on your situation.”

“Well, first, let me say thank you for letting me come tonight. I know we’re only a week from Christmas, so I really appreciate it. So, anyhow, I work for Abbott’s of London.”

“Aw, really? I used to get a nightie every single Christmas.” This came from the regal blond woman. “I’m from St. Christophe.”

Stella shook her head. “Don’t let the dirt under her fingernails fool you. She’s not only from there, but she’s a princess.”

“A princess in Calamity?” Hailey asked.

“She’s only a princess in her home country,” Callie said. “Here, she’s a shit-kicker in pink cowboy boots like the rest of us.”

The royal lifted her leg for proof, and everyone laughed.

“All right.” Glori nodded to Hailey. “Go on.”

“Right. So, they’re in financial trouble, and it’s looking like they’ll either sell the company or close its doors. And I’m freaking out because it’s the only job I’ve had since I graduated FIT.” Also, she could work remotely, which was important if she was going to adopt the girls.

“How can we help?” Stella asked.

“I want to pitch a third option.” She pulled her sketchbook out of her tote bag. “I’m just one on a team of fashion designers, so I have no pull or influence, but it seems pretty obvious to me that if they just diversified, they could compete in today’s market.” She opened the book and turned it so the others could see. “I’ve come up with some ideas.”

“These are nice.” Knox seemed genuine but not excited.

And she couldn’t blame her. It was just more of the same. “As you can see, the only changes I’ve made are the holiday themes.” She tapped the Easter bunnies and carrots and colorful eggs. “But at least it will give people a reason to buy a nightgown other than at Christmas.”

“Okay, so they won’t vary on the style?” Knox asked. “Can you have sleeveless? Any fabric other than flannel?”

“No. They’ve been making the same product for a hundred years.”