No One Else (The Ladies Who Brunch 2)

Chapter14

Amelia

“He did what?” Noelle leans across the table to make sure she heard me correctly.

“He fell off my stripper pole. And used my box of sex toys as a stool.”

Penelope about falls out of her chair from laughing. “Oh my God, Amelia Be Delia! This kind of shit would only happen to you.”

“Thanks for making me feel worse about it.” I drain the rest of my mimosa and then gesture for Charlotte to fill my glass back up, which she does without question.

“The first time your boyfriend’s kid goes to your house, and this is what happens?” Noelle continues. “Jesus.”

“I know. He was fine, just bumped his head and not bad, but it was definitely a wake-up call.”

“For what?”

“That I need to change a few things around the house if Oliver is going to be there more.”

Charlotte sits back and smiles at me. “Do you see that happening?”

I can’t fight the grin that comes over my lips. “I do. Things are going really well with us. Ethan is…”

“Oh, I know that look! I had that look!” Charlotte practically shrieks. “You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”

Sighing, I nod my head. “I am. I know it’s soon but being with him is so different from any other relationship I’ve had. Our chemistry is so hot when we’re together, but I enjoy the small moments with him too. And Oliver…” I shake my head as my heart beats faster. “I’ve never dated a man with a kid before, but I seriously can’t imagine my life without him in it. He asked me to go to his play at school in November, and going to watch his soccer games on Saturdays has become my new favorite thing to look forward to. I think I’m just as attached to him as I am to his dad.”

“I mean, there is something incredibly sexy about a hot, single dad. Why do you think it’s such a profitable trope in romance novels?” Noelle explains. “And what about Oliver’s mom?”

“She’s not in the picture.” I spend a few moments explaining the situation surrounding Ethan’s divorce to the girls, something I realize I hadn’t up until now.

“Okay, so are you two on the same page then about where this is headed?” Noelle continues to dig.

“I think so. I was very open with him yesterday about my intentions. I didn’t want him to doubt that I took this seriously, especially because I know he had reservations about dating again and letting Oliver and I get to know each other. I mean, he met my parents. Nick knows we’re seeing each other now, and what started as hate toward one another has blossomed into a relationship that I never saw coming. I feel like everything fell into place the way it was supposed to. We were both on our own paths and kind of found our way to each other.”

Charlotte raises her glass. “Then welcome to the club, Amelia.” She clinks her glass with mine. “Looks like you’ve found your guy.”

“I really think I did,” I say, holding back the tears of happiness that I can feel building. But I am happy. I feel like this is exactly where I’m supposed to be right now—with Ethan and Oliver.

Penelope sighs and then looks over at Noelle. “Looks like it’s just you and me left in the single’s club then, Noelle.”

“Well, I won’t be single for much longer. I won’t be bringing a man around, but I will be part of a package deal soon. I’m going to move forward with finding a sperm donor.”

Penelope sets her glass down. “Seriously?”

Noelle nods. “Yes. I’m tired of dating. I’m tired of waiting on the right man. I mean, look at Charlotte and Amelia now.” She gestures toward Charlotte and me. “They found their guys, but it wasn’t like they were necessarily looking for them. I’ve been looking. I’ve been searching, and I’m tired. I want children, and I want to be pregnant. So I can start my family and not waste any more time—mine or someone else’s.”

“What is the timeline like for this?” I ask.

“I have an appointment in two weeks at the clinic to start the preliminary process. Essentially, it can take up to a month to choose a donor and get ready for the transfer of sperm. They have to run a bunch of tests on me, check my cycle for when I’m ovulating, etc. It’s gonna take a few months before I can be inseminated, so I want to start the process.”

Charlotte reaches over and grabs Noelle’s hand. “You’re sure this is what you want?”

Noelle bobs her head up and down confidently. “Yes.”

“Then let us know what you need, and we will be there.”

Penelope and I also reach over and place our hands on theirs, showing our support.

“It takes a lot of courage to take control of your life, Noelle, and go after what you want. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you, Amelia. I’m not gonna lie, I’m nervous, more about telling my parents than anything. But I know this is what I want. I don’t need a man in my life to be a mom. Being a mother is something I’ve wanted since I was a little girl, and I’m ready to make that dream a reality.”

“It’s time to choose Noelle’s baby daddy, girls. I feel like I’ve been training for this my entire life,” Penelope says assertively.

We share a laugh, and then Frankie comes by with our food as we ask Noelle more questions about her life-changing decision. And as we talk with her, I realize that the dynamic of our friend group is changing. Charlotte is happy and in love, I’m building my own little blended family with Ethan and Oliver, Noelle could have a baby sitting here at brunch with us this time next year, and Penelope, well, I’m sure something will tackle her out of left field and knock her on her ass too.

That just seems to be the way of the world for us right now, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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