A Kiss for a Kiss (All In 4)

“You can say goodbye to spontaneous sex until the kids move out,” Violet says. “Robbie stays up later than me half the time these days, which means zero privacy unless we farm them out to the grandparents.”

“You do realize these conversations are like birth control advertisements, right?” Stevie snickers and pulls up the hockey schedule for the season. “There’s a game in Tennessee in November. Maybe we could come out then, if that works for you?”

“It could definitely work.”

“Is it mid-week or on the weekend?” Vi asks.

“That one is on Friday,” Stevie says.

“Don’t you teach painting classes on the weekends? Are you missing one today?” Lainey asks.

“My friend Paxton is running it solo this weekend,” I explain.

“Maybe we could sit in, so you don’t have to change your schedule. It’d be so much fun to spend a weekend with you in Tennessee.” Lainey smiles warmly.

“I think it’s a great idea.” I really love how easy they all are to be around, and how, even though I don’t see them often, we have such a great time together and I always feel like part of things.

Our conversation is put on pause when we arrive at the spa and go our separate ways for our massage appointments. I almost fall asleep again during my massage, probably because it’s so relaxing. It’s followed by a heavenly facial. Afterwards, we meet up again for our mani-pedis.

Our manicures are first, and once our nails are set, we’re given snack plates and plenty of drink options while our toes get pretty. I have a headache, so I opt for water.

After our pedicures, we’re moved to the lounge, where we’re supposed to wait for our toes to dry. I take the opportunity to make myself a coffee, adding a spoonful of sugar and a smidge of cream. Then I take a small sip. Just like this morning, it tastes sour. I take another sip. Nope. Still tastes wrong.

“Everything okay, Hanna?” Lainey asks.

“Twice today I’ve had coffee that tastes like the cream is off.”

“Want me to give it a taste?”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. What if I’m coming down with something?” It’s entirely possible with the way I’ve been burning the candle at both ends lately.

“I can do a cream sniff test?” she offers.

“Sure.” I pass her the tiny pot of cream and she wafts it toward her nose.

“Smells fine to me.”

“Maybe my taste buds are off.”

“Every time I was preggers, three things happened,” Violet says and motions to her chest. “My bras stopped fitting because my boobs turned into giant balloons and I’d punch Alex every time he tried to touch them because they were so sensitive, dairy always tasted funky, and I could sleep like a teenager.”

“Oh! Yes! My boobs were so sore. I couldn’t sleep on my stomach at all,” Lainey says.

“Wow, way to sell me on not getting pregnant any time soon,” Stevie deadpans. She and Bishop have been together for years, but they still haven’t jumped on the baby train. Yet.

I chuckle, but it turns into something like a croak. I covertly press on my chest and cringe at how tender my breasts are. I assumed my body was being its weird self by making it seem like my period was coming. I’ve been having phantom PMS symptoms for the past year, and only once every three months do I actually get a “period.”

I’ve been exhausted lately, sleeping for twelve hours and still feeling like I could sleep longer. And then there’s the coffee.

“Hanna? Are you okay?” Lainey asks.

“I-I don’t know.” I cover my mouth with my palm. “Everything Violet said, that could be me.”

Silence follows, thick and heavy.

“I’m sure it’s nothing. I’m just run down,” I rush on. “I’ve been working long hours at my accounting firm. One of my big clients had an audit, and I’m being considered for a promotion.”

“That’s exciting, about the promotion,” Vi says. “I miss the constant work sometimes, but I like picking and choosing what jobs I want to take.” She’s also an accountant, but she mostly does freelance work.

“I thought it was a good move,” I agree. “But it means late nights and early mornings to keep on top of things, you know?”

“That’s really wonderful about the promotion.” Lainey glances toward the door as she shifts in her seat, turning to face me. It’s the four of us in here. “But is there a chance you could be pregnant?” Her expression is full of gentle concern. It’s very much the way she is, always maternal.

“I don’t know?” I swallow down my uneasiness. “I’ve been perimenopausal for a long while. My periods are irregular, and really short when I do have them.”

Lainey’s smile is soft. “Even during menopause you’re still releasing eggs, and sometimes your body goes a little haywire, so they lose the steady rhythm they once had. Or your cycle can be influenced by others around you.” She motions to Stevie and Violet. “I’m synced up with these ladies because we spend so much time together.”