“I haven’t finished. We’re going to do a paint effect.”
“We are?”
“Yes, because block color is so hard. Something swirling, so that it feels as if we’re under the water.”
“Drowning? Because that would be appropriate.”
Skylar smiled. “Not drowning. Think of me as your life preserver.” She experimented and Emily left her to it and started unpacking boxes.
The afternoon passed quickly as they worked and caught up on the latest gossip.
“Where’s Alec?”
“Working.” Sky wiped a damp rag over the paint, smearing it. “Where’s Ryan?”
“Working at the Ocean Club. The winter crowd is increasing. And Zach has flown Brittany to the mainland. She’s talking to someone at the university. Lizzy, don’t put painty fingers in your hair, honey. Go wash them.”
Sky watched as Lizzy skipped over to the tiny bathroom at the back of the store. “How is she doing?”
“She’s good.” Emily mopped up the paint that Lizzy had spattered on the floor. “Better than I could have hoped for. She loves school, but that’s mostly because of Rachel of course. And she and Lisa’s twins are inseparable.”
“It’s good having two close friends—you always have one spare.” She looked at Emily, noticing how tired she looked. “Is something wrong?”
“No! Nothing.”
“Hey, this is me.” Concerned, Sky put the paintbrush down. “Are you finding it hard? These past few months have been like a whirlwind for you and being responsible for a child is a huge thing.” At least for her friend, who hadn’t chosen this life.
“I’m tired.” Emily picked at a smear of paint on her hand. “And sometimes I’m scared I’m not a good enough mom.”
“You’re the best.” Sky wrapped h
er friend in a tight hug. “No one could be better than you.”
“Am I?” Emily’s voice was muffled against her shoulder. “What if I’m doing it wrong?”
“You’re not doing it wrong. Remember when you brought Lizzy here at the beginning of the summer? She was this pale, silent kid who wouldn’t let go of that bear—Alistair—”
“Andrew.”
“That’s him. Andrew. You see? You know the name of the bear and I don’t. She looks well, Em.”
“She still has Andrew. And six stuffed puffins that Ryan bought her.”
“Six?”
“One and five spares.”
Sky grinned. “That’s adorable.”
“I lie awake at night wondering how Lizzy came to be living with me.”
“She’s lucky to be living with you.” Skylar thought about her own parents and the way they’d raised her, and then thought about Alec’s family and the way Suzanne had sat and talked with her. “There is no one way to be a parent. Just be the way that feels right for you.”
“It’s scary.”
“Sure, but you’re not on your own with it. You have us. And Ryan.”
“Yes. Thank goodness for Ryan. So what’s happening with you and Alec?”