Free November Foxtrot (Rhythm of the Heart Book 2) by Scarlett Jade Page B

into the crisp air outside. Her arms wound around her waist and she curled into herself as the tears poured.
    Damn you, Daddy. Why did you have to do this to me? I miss my mom...God, she would be so excited about this baby coming...You should be too. But you're not here. You're God knows where. She wrestled with her thoughts and wiped at her eyes, taking slow, cleansing breaths.
    A hand touched her arm and she turned to see Layla standing beside her. “Hey, you okay?”
    Zoe shrugged. “I'm fine.”
    “No, you're not. You're out here bawling. D'you miss your momma and daddy?” Layla wrapped her arms around herself and whispered, “You're not the only one, if you do.”
    “Yeah, I do miss them,” Zoe whispered back. “A whole lot more than I thought I would.”
    “Yeah. It does get a little easier, you know.” Layla stared out at the trees and then raised her hand to wipe at her eye quickly. “I'm sorry.”
    “Sorry?” Zoe glanced in her direction.
    “Yeah. For being a bitch. I was wrong.” She choked out a bitter laugh. “I know – I know. Mark it down on the calendar. Layla admitted she was wrong.”
    Zoe blew out a breath. “It's okay. If I had a brother, I'd probably be just as protective.”
    Layla nodded. “I just want him to be happy.” Her dark eyes met Zoe's own. “That's all my momma would want for him.”
    Zoe's stomach clenched. “I know. It's all my momma would want for me too.”
    “Yeah. And if you make him happy, I can get over myself.”
    “Okay,” Zoe nodded.
    “Well. That's all I wanted to say. Let's just stand here for a few and dry our eyes before we go back in. I don't want to hear about it from Grams.”
    Zoe chuckled. “All right.”
    They stood in the cool afternoon and Zoe closed her eyes. At least we fixed that part. Sort of like waving olive branches at each other and not quite hitting each other. It's a temporary peace. Layla left her a few minutes later and she kept standing, her eyes closed until she felt ready to go back inside.
    As she walked in the door, Grams smiled. “You okay?”
    Zoe nodded. “Yeah.” And for the first time in a very long time, she meant it.
    They spent the rest of the evening finishing off the tree and watching a Christmas Story . Zoe found herself smiling as she curled up around one of the pillows and rested her palm against her belly. Her little girl rolled and fluttered, reminding her that she was never alone...and never would be again.
    Later, she shifted on the couch and frowned as something poked her hip. Layla's phone was wedged under her and she pulled it out. Layla lay on the end of the couch with her eyes closed and her breath was steady. The phone buzzed in her hand and she clapped a hand over her mouth to muffle the shriek that threatened to pour forth. Tim's name flashed across the screen with the words, “You coming to see me?”
    Her brow raised and she fought the urge to see how deep their relationship was via text. Layla had just offered the branch of peace, and even though she was under age, it was by mere months. Tim was a good guy, he'd been there for her more times than she could count. Who am I to stop them?
    The phone buzzed again and she smirked as she read, “I love you, Lil Bear.”
    Oh god, 'lil bear! She sat the phone beside Layla's knee and shifted off the couch. Let them be in love. What's the harm?

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    Zoe stood with trepidation in the Mobile airport, her heart in her throat as she waited for Calvin's plane to land. Grams stood with her, and she found her softly wrinkled hand and held it. Grams patted her arm. “It'll be fine, honey.”
    Zoe nodded. “Yeah, I know.” Her throat tightened with worry anyway. What if he isn't interested in me anymore? Or thinks I'm fat and pregnant...Damn Grams' cookies!
    She shifted her sweatshirt again, wishing fervently that she'd actually purchased some maternity clothes. No, here she stood getting ready to see her new husband in skin tight yoga pants