Love Like This, page 17
“Perfect!” Hadley said five minutes later when Larry emerged in black leggings that were too short to extend beyond his mid-calves and a purple maternity shirt with bright yellow flowers all over it. “Maternity clothes rock and stretch in fantastic ways. I think we’ve solved our problem.”
“I’m uncomfortable with this,” he said stoically.
“Well, you shouldn’t be,” Hadley told him. “You look great, and Autumn won’t mind at all. I’ve got your clothes already going in the washing machine.”
“Dear Lord in heaven,” Spencer murmured, studying him. “He’s like the Incredible Pregnant-Hulk.”
“Actually, that’s not a bad comparison,” Hadley said, smothering a smile. “Just trying to keep him happy.”
“You’re a smart woman. And about later?” Spencer asked, once Larry excused himself to check on his clothes. “I do happen to be free.”
“Great. Me, too. Well, I have a few things I need to take care of, and then I’m all yours.” Spencer’s eyes darkened and Hadley felt the warmth gather in her stomach. “Don’t look at me like that until later. There are children in the room.”
“As if I can control it. Have you seen yourself?” Spencer asked. She dropped her voice to a whisper. “And now that I’ve seen you naked, it’s just worse.”
Hadley felt the blush hit her cheeks and warmth prickle up her spine and settle behind her neck. Oh, dear goodness. Yep, blatant and undeniable lust had arrived right on schedule. “Later,” she said, with what she hoped was an effective smolder. She knew it probably wasn’t. She wasn’t the smoldering type. Spencer’s amused laughter only confirmed her status as smolder impaired. She’d work on it.
“You’re adorable,” Spencer whispered. “And ridiculously hot. I don’t know that I can wait for you.”
Hadley’s eyes widened. “There are childlike ears about.”
Spencer glanced down at Carrie. “This little mama is my wing woman and an exceptional one at that. Skills beyond her years. You have no idea.” Will fussed in Hadley’s arms. “Boys are always a little slower to mature,” Spencer said with a wink. “Why don’t we switch?”
Hadley pulled her face back and let her mouth fall open. “Is that a challenge? You think he’ll calm down for you?”
Spencer grinned. “I know he will. Let me show you.”
Hadley obliged and handed Will to Spencer, placing him in her free hand, and scooped up Caroline gently, so as not to disturb her peaceful slumber. The little girl stirred for a moment, opened her eyes, and peered up at Hadley. Realizing all was well, she sighed and went back to sleep with the back of her fist to her mouth, stealing Hadley’s heart for the eighty billionth time. When she glanced up, she was shocked to see that not only had Will ceased his fussing but was enamored of Spencer’s face looming over him. The twins were old enough now where they were capable of authentic smiles and she was pretty sure Will was showing off that skill now. “I think he has a girlfriend,” Hadley said, mystified. “Look at that.”
“He just needs a slower vibe is all.”
“That’s what you’ve done? You’ve slowed your vibe? How do I do that?” Hadley offered her smolder of earlier as an attempt. “Like this?”
“Are you doing Elvis? I don’t think Will knows him.” Spencer stared down at the little guy and talked to him in that soothing low voice, the same voice that had struck Hadley as so melodic the day she’d met Spencer. “He just needs to know that he can relax. Isn’t that right, little Will? We’ll take care of all the rest. You just take some chill time.”
He blinked back at her heavily, clearly not long for the land of the conscious.
“Wow,” Hadley said. “I’m not kidding when I say that you’re the baby whisperer. You talk to him in your sexy voice, and he’s done for.”
“My sexy voice?” Spencer said, emphasizing the smooth quality. “That’s what you call it?”
“Is there another term for it?” Hadley asked. “I’m going to have you read me the phone book each night now if that’s how quickly you snag results.”
Spencer laughed quietly as she rocked Will. “Putting you to sleep is not always going to be in my best interests.”
Hadley shimmied her shoulders. “There you go again with the perfect saucy line.”
“Where’s William?” Larry asked, stalking through the living room in his maternity shirt and short leggings.
“Shhh,” Hadley said. “Spencer got him to sleep.”
Larry glared at her suspiciously. “How did you do that?”
“Just my own little brand of mojo.”
“You’re the backup babysitter.” It was a firm reminder, which Spencer took in stride.
“And I won’t ever forget that, Lar. Can I call you Lar?”
“No.”
“Okay.” They stared at each other.
“Hey, why don’t you take Carrie,” Hadley said to Larry. He seemed to soften as Hadley approached him.
“No, no. You have her content and cry-free. I’ll just sit over there until there’s a crisis.” On that last word, he shot daggers in Spencer’s direction, making it very clear where said crisis would likely emerge.
An hour later and the door to the apartment opened slowly and two very smiley mothers entered the space, holding hands. “How’s everything in here?” Autumn asked quietly, glancing around the room. She took in Carrie sleeping against Hadley’s chest, Will curled up in Spencer’s arms, and Larry working a crossword puzzle in the Wall Street Journal he’d brought with him. “What in hell happened to Larry? That’s my shirt!”
“Your shirt is unharmed,” Hadley said calmly, with a we-did-what-had-to-be-done look. “Larry is taking good care of it.”
“The boy child vomited.” He glanced down at his ensemble. “Emergency measures were called for.” He stood. “You’re home now. I’ll take my leave. Ms. Cooper,” he said, nodding politely to Hadley as he passed. “Backup,” he bit out to Spencer. “Good night, both Mrs. Carpenters.”
Kate knocked him on the shoulder. “Thanks for your help, Larry. Because of you, Autumn and I got to have a nice dinner out. I think we needed it.”
“Yeah, thanks, Larry,” Autumn said with a warm smile.
Larry’s entire demeanor shifted, inspiring him to soften and appear sheepish and sweet. You didn’t see that side of Larry too often, but Hadley had always understood that’s who he really was underneath all the odd, intense bravado. “Just wanted to do the noble thing.”
“Well, we couldn’t have done it without you,” Hadley said. “I mean that.”
He nodded to her chivalrously and now seemed embarrassed and beet red. “Good night, all.”
“Wait, Larry,” Autumn called after him. “Your clothes.”
But he was already around the corner and on his way, escaping the perceived limelight. They looked at each other.
“Well…it is Venice,” Hadley offered. “He’ll blend.”
“So how about ten dollars an hour?” Kate asked, thumbing through her cash.
Hadley placed her free hand over her wounded heart. “How dare you offer me money for the care of my honorary niece and nephew, even if you’re coming from a very good place because you’re Kate. I refuse any and all monetary gestures!”
“Are you sure?” Kate asked. She gestured with the money to Spencer, who shook her head and held up a hand.
Autumn waved off Hadley’s theatrics. “Free labor. Don’t argue.” She turned her attention to the babies, racing over to Carrie and pulling her gently into her arms. “It was so strange to be out in the world and not here with them. It’s like some sort of parallel universe out there. How did they do?”
“Luckily, we had Spencer the baby whisperer along for the ride. They’ve been asleep for the past hour.”
Autumn’s eyebrows rose and she turned in appreciation to Spencer. “What are you doing tomorrow? I don’t know what very successful designers make by way of salary, but I’m willing to try and match it.”
“Don’t you try and poach her from me!” Hadley stepped between them. “We have big plans for Spencer at Silhouette, and she can’t moonlight as a babysitter and keep a clear head.”
“It’s not awful to be fought over,” Spencer said quietly, to Will.
“Let me steal him from you,” Kate said, gently taking the sleeping boy in her arms. “You’re off the clock. Big plans tonight?”
Hadley exchanged a look with Spencer. “Not sure yet.”
Autumn shook her head vehemently as if that answer were not at all acceptable. “It’s still early. Get out there and cause trouble, dammit. Dance on tables and wave your shirts over your heads. You have no children. Live, for God’s sake.” She looked from Hadley to Spencer in desperation. “Promise me.”
“We promise,” Spencer said solemnly. It’s possible she was afraid.
“Already on it,” Hadley said, pulling Autumn into a hug. This was a transitional time in Autumn’s life and she needed all the support she could get. “Did you have fun tonight?” she asked her quietly.
The undisputable smile that hit and grew did all the talking for Autumn. “The best time. It was like we were dating all over again. We kissed at the car. For a really long time, too. I owe you one, Had.”
“Anytime. And I mean that.” She gave Autumn’s hand a squeeze, pulled Kate into a hug, and then with Spencer at her side, left the new little family to the rest of their evening.
“That was fun,” Spencer said, once they hit the courtyard. “But I don’t think Larry and I will be reprising our partnership.”
Hadley scrunched an eye in apology. “He’s jealous.”
“I can completely see why,” Spencer said, taking her hand. “And because I just promised a woman that I would live, for God’s sake, I have to do this.” Hadley grinned as Spencer closed the distance between them and caught Hadley’s mouth with hers. She’d been longing to kiss Spencer all night and the reality was every bit as gratifying as she’d hoped. In fact, it knocked her out of the socks she wasn’t wearing. The crackle, the sizzle, the chemistry did not let her down. Her spirits soared even as she tried to maintain control. It wasn’t just the kiss itself that had shepherded her to this inarguable high. It was everything leading up to it, their give and take, the fashion overlap that left them so much to talk about, the amazing night they’d spent together, and the domesticity of the last two hours. She was losing custody of her own heart and it was thrilling and terrifying like a roller coaster you didn’t want to get off. She was on a path to something big.
“We’re more than a big bang kiss,” she murmured when they came up for air. She hadn’t intended to say it out loud, but it was as if the words flew from her lips, refusing to be suppressed.
“Is that good?” Spencer asked, dreamy-eyed and gorgeous. Hadley would never tire of looking at her, kissing her, or talking to her.
Hadley nodded, too trepidatious to explain any further. Spencer didn’t buy into forever, so how would she possibly understand Hadley’s childhood fantasy come to life? And how was Hadley supposed to reconcile the fact that Spencer might never share in the sentiment, no matter how strong her feelings for Hadley might grow? Nope. She wasn’t doing this tonight. They’d agreed to keep open minds, and that was exactly the plan she would stick to. Plus, she wasn’t willing to do anything that would put a damper on her big bang realization. She would tuck it away and keep it safe.
Spencer took her hand. “What now?”
“Chicken soup,” Hadley blurted.
“You’re hungry?” Spencer asked. “If you’re hungry, girl, I will happily feed you.”
Hadley laughed, and gave Spencer’s arm a tug. “No. I need to pick up some chicken soup for Gia at this little deli. They’re known for miles for their delicious, not to mention comfort-inspiring soup, and Gia isn’t feeling so great, so she needs the best soup possible, posthaste. She needs to be comfort inspired.”
“Posthaste sounds important.” Spencer tugged back. “So, let me get this straight. You just spent two hours babysitting infants for one friend, and now you want to head out into the night for soup for another without so much as being asked?”
“Well, yeah. I can’t let Gia feel awful without a helpful remedy. Soup will make her feel better, at least temporarily while she’s eating it. We should probably pick up some Nyquil, too. I don’t know if she has any.”
Spencer went soft. “You put nuns to shame. Do you realize that?”
Hadley grinned. “I like nuns, so I’m going to embrace that comparison. I just feel it’s important to look out for the people I care about. I always make sure I do that. Always.”
“That’s an honorable trait. Don’t ever change it.”
“You’re on, because I’m not sure I’m capable.”
Spencer stole another kiss. “All right, then. I’m in. Take me to the soup,” Spencer said. “A sick woman needs us.”
Hadley grinned and tugged on Spencer’s hand once again. “Follow me.”
“Anywhere.”
* * *
Hadley hadn’t been lying. The soup in question came from a tiny unassuming deli in Franklin Village, about fifteen miles from Venice, but took way longer to reach in LA traffic. The small shop had a green neon sign in front that let everyone know they were open until midnight, and that was a good plan, because there were four people in line when they arrived at just after ten. The little man behind the counter couldn’t be less than seventy years old, and he smiled and nodded to them when they entered the closet-sized shop. There were exactly seven items on the menu board that hung over the register: four different sandwiches and three kinds of soup: vegetable barley, cream of broccoli, and as promised, chicken noodle.
“Slim offerings,” Spencer whispered.
Hadley shrugged off the comment. “No, no. Nothing slim about this place. You’ll see. That’s Saul, and he puts care into everything he does. There’s love in those soups and sandwiches, and you can’t dilute love just to have more menu offerings. It’s not worth the trade.”
Spencer shook her head. “I wouldn’t want Saul to dilute the love.”
“Me neither.” She said it as if it would be the most dire of consequences ever. Just thinking about it brought a melancholy expression to Hadley’s face. “Good thing that’s not our reality.”
“Agreed,” Spencer said, as they stepped forward in line, and more customers filled in behind them, keeping the room fairly tight.
When it was their turn, Saul smiled at them warmly. “Hello again!” he said to Hadley, as if they were long lost friends. “I never forget a face. You have a pretty one.”
“Thanks, Saul. We’ve met once or twice before. My name is Hadley and we’ll need a large chicken soup to go. A friend of mine is sick, and she needs it to get better.” He pointed in question at Spencer. “Oh, no. This is my friend Spencer. She’s well.”
“Hello! I’m glad you’re feeling okay,” Saul said, and offered her the same warm smile.
“Thank you. Me, too, Saul.”
He rang up the soup and packaged it up in a nice sturdy container with a bag full of homemade crackers to go with it. Impressive, and all made with love, apparently. She could get behind that kind of extra service.
“See you soon, Hadley!” he said, handing her a receipt with a wave.
They headed to the door, and Spencer noted that the line now had even more patrons than when they’d arrived. Apparently, lots of people knew about love-filled soup and demanded it. Where had she been?
“You take care of yourself, Saul! Good to see you,” Hadley called, waving happily back at him from the door.
This so wasn’t behavior she was used to, but at the same time, she was compelled to wave at him herself. And did! What the hell was going on here? “I think you’re sucking me into your warm and happy vortex.”
Hadley stared at her, her eyes darkening. “That sounds sexy. We should get out of here.” And just like that Hadley tossed Spencer onto her head once again. Happy do-gooder one moment and sex vixen the next. She had to learn to prepare for that duality more, realizing Hadley could change it up at any moment.
Spencer swallowed. “Then hurry we shall.”
Gia, Hadley’s sick friend, opened the door to her apartment with bleary eyes and a red nose. “Hey,” she said with that “I have a cold” voice people got. “What’s going on?”
Hadley pushed past her and gestured with her head for Spencer to follow. “I brought you some soup and some NyQuil. Oh, and Spencer. Feel like you could eat? You should eat.”
Gia took a seat on the couch. “I think maybe I could. You didn’t have to go all the way to the deli, though. Hi, I’m Gia. I’d shake your hand, but then you’d get the plague.”
“Spencer Adair,” she said, with a smile. “Sorry about the plague.”
Gia shrugged. “Happens.”
“Yes, I did have to go to the deli.” Hadley began assembling a bowl for Gia, moving around her kitchen like she owned it. “You need your strength, and this soup will do that. Is Elle staying with you tonight?”
“She is,” a voice from behind Spencer said. She turned to see a familiar, radiant blonde enter the apartment and move immediately to Gia. “You don’t look so hot.” She felt her forehead with one side of her hand and then the other. “Yeah, you have a little fever going.”
“She’s worse than a few hours ago,” Hadley called from across the kitchen counter. “I brought soup!”
“You’re a doll, Hadley,” Elle said. She turned to see Spencer standing there. “Spence!”
“Hey, Elle. How are you?” she asked, and accepted Elle’s hug as it all came together in her brain. Aha! So Gia was the friend of Hadley’s who was dating Elle. She was also the other woman from the corn chip billboard on the 405.
“I’m sorry I bypassed you on the way in,” Elle explained apologetically. “I was worried about this one. She tries to act tough when she should really just be a crumpled mess on the floor.”
“So true,” Hadley said, tag-teaming. “She does that exact thing.”
Gia looked at Elle and shrugged. “Not letting it take me down is all.”
