Page 81 of Rebound

“You’re still open to the idea of marriage though?”

“I’ve always been open to it. A string of bad luck did scare me away for a bit, but I like the idea of spending my life with someone. Calling them my life partner or whatever. And Elias would make such a good husband.”

Patrick would too.

I look across the beautifully decorated backyard to where the Joseph brothers hold onto each other while talking with a bunch of other guys. While Millie has been our friend for years, I often forget she and Jonathan have a life outside of our circle. I lean against my cousin and we admire our men from a distance. Until a squeal reaches me.

“Auntie Tam!”

“Little Sammy!” I try to match her pitch, but it’s pointless because she’s five and I’m…not. I do my best to bend so I can hug Krystina’s daughter. She’s a carbon copy of her mother with big expressive eyes and straight black hair that’s always tied up in some weird new style.

“Mama says you’re having a baby.”

“Hopefully she’ll be as pretty as you.”

Samara’s eyes widen and she touches my belly. “Is it a girl? Can she be my best friend too?”

“I don’t see why not.” She bounces up and down as her eight-year-old brother walks over with the attitude of a twelve-year-old. “What about you, Luke the Duke?”

“I’m too old for cutesy nicknames, Auntie Tam.”

I gasp and Vera echoes it playfully as Lucas tries to hide his smile. I ruffle his hair and bend to kiss his cheek. “Until you’re a hundred, you’re going to get all of the cutesy nicknames. So get used to it.”

“Fine,” he says dramatically and then gestures to my belly. “Are you sure it’s a girl?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know, actually. And I won’t know until they’re born.”

Samara pouts. “When?”

“Next year.”

“That’s so far!” Luke moans and we all laugh, because it really is far.

He grabs his sister’s hand and they walk away, whispering to each other. When I finish my drink, I look across the backyard and my heart plummets. Patrick leans against the opposite bar as he talks to Vinitha. I remember when we were all friends, but that’s no longer the case. Especially since she’s the one Kabir was sleeping with before and after my miscarriage. She rubbed it in my face as often as possible, but I still never told my friends. Other than Vera who was there during the D&C, nobody even knows I lost a baby three years ago.

I smooth down my dress and excuse myself from the group of ladies that has suddenly congregated around us and head towards where an evil woman is trying to sink her claws into my man.

I’ll be having words with Millie after this party. What was she thinking putting Patrick and Vinitha next to each other? I should have known she’d be here. She’s Jonathan’s friend from college or something, but she’s also my biggest nightmare.

Ugh, don’t turn into one of those jealous girlfriends.

Jealousy has always felt like an excuse to be a bad person. Every time someone reacts that way, everybody else suffers. I don’t think I’ve even felt it until tonight and it’s Patrick’s fault. I know he’s not going to flirt with Vinitha, but I see the way she admires him, how she can’t take her eyes off him. Earlier when she was fluttering her eyes at Patrick, my blood boiled. He didn’t look interested, but I had to mark my territory. Make it clear to her and the few other single people around that he’s off limits.

Mine, I remind myself.

I stare at the lipstick stain on his throat and when I look up, he’s watching me with a smirk. I stick my tongue out at him and he chuckles. When he turns to Jonathan’s brother, I focus on my food. It’s a five course meal and everything that’s come out so far has been delicious. As a restaurateur, I’m not surprised Jonathan got the best of the best to serve us and with Millie’s taste in the good stuff, I’m sure everything served is of the highest quality.

“So, carrying a future athlete, huh?”

I glance to my right, my face splitting into a wide grin. I didn’t notice who was on either side of me while I was focused on Vinitha trying to move in on my man. Now I’m staring into the young and handsome face of Millie’s favourite cousin.

“Hey, Paulie. It’s good to see you.”

“You too, Tam. Been a while, huh?”

I nod, realising the last time I saw him was right after my miscarriage and I was in no state of mind to be socialising. Yet, I showed up and put on a brave face.

“So cooking another Olympian?”