Some Women (27 page)

“True, but I'm sure it wasn't a fun conversation.”

“No, it wasn't.” He exhaled. “I'm going to take this to her now.” He reached for the pages Mackenzie was holding. The three of them were well aware that CeCe read things only in hard copy, as she insisted she couldn't edit on the computer. Not that she really edited anything these days. Her job was to be the overseer. To be the one who took all the credit when things went well and also the one who shouldered the responsibility when things went wrong, even if she did try to blame everyone else first. Piper didn't envy her position.

“Thank you again.” Mackenzie smiled genuinely

“As I said, it's the least I can do.” He stood up and, before speaking, he seemed to stop and think for a moment. He looked at Mackenzie. Really looked at her for the first time since he'd entered Piper's office. “You can count on me. I promise.”

Once he'd gone, Mackenzie turned back toward Piper and released a shriek. “This is going to be huge! I can feel it.”

“From your mouth to God's ears.” Piper laughed nervously.

“Oh, trust me, you don't need divine intervention on this one. You earned whatever comes your way.”

“With your help.”

“That's what friends are for, right?” Mackenzie grinned.

“It sure
is.”

As time went on, and the months and years came and went, he was never without friends.

—Charlotte's
Web

“First, the front page of the
Journal
. Now lead story in the business section of the
New York Times
. I still can't get over it,” Mackenzie gushed. “Piper, my friend, you have arrived.”

They were back at Café Crunch to celebrate for roughly the fifth time in the days since the article had been published on the front page of the
Journal
, against CeCe's will. Apparently, she'd put her foot down with Trevor. She'd said she didn't care if the Pope had run naked down Main Street in Eastport; since the story had originated with Mackenzie, she wanted it blocked.

In a rare display of valor, Trevor had gone behind her back in order to take just one small step toward making things right with Mackenzie. Fortunately, for his sake, CeCe had forgiven him once all of the hype had ensued surrounding Piper's exposé. She'd also offered Piper a promotion in title and a substantial raise in salary.

“And it was all over the AP wire! Henry said he owes you his life,” Annabel enthused.

“I wouldn't go that far.” Piper feigned modesty. “Okay, fine. It is really awesome.” She squealed. “I actually have some unbelievable news.”

“You're pregnant?” Mackenzie smirked.

“God, no. Please don't even put that out in the universe.” Piper laughed. “I'm very happy with Fern and Fern alone. She's enough of a handful at this point.”

“Just you wait until she's a teenager. My friend Rachel's daughter turned thirteen last month and she's driving her to drink. Literally.” Annabel took a sip of some green concoction Mackenzie had convinced her to try. “This is actually pretty tasty.”

“It's green apple, celery, spinach, and some other stuff that's good for you,” Mackenzie explained. “So, what's the word?” She turned toward Piper, who was sitting next to her.

“I got a job offer to be a writer for a new crime show coming to Fox this fall!”

“Holy shit! That's amazing!” Mackenzie hugged her.

“Congratulations, Piper.” Annabel reached across the table to give her arm a tight squeeze. “No one deserves it more than you do!”

“I mean, that's like your dream come true, right?” This was Mackenzie. “You know I want every single detail. What's the show called? Who's the producer? Is it Mark Burnett?”

“Well, it's as-yet-titled. I know that much. They said it's sort of a cross between
America's Most Wanted
and
American Idol
, whatever the hell that means. No idea who the producers are. They couldn't tell me too much, since I have to sign some confidentiality
agreement first, but it sounds like exactly the opportunity I've been waiting for pretty much forever.” She paused. “As a bonus, the job is bicoastal between New York City and Los Angeles, which means I'll get to take Fern out West with me a lot. And LA isn't far from San Diego, where Max will be, which Fern is thrilled about. She thinks I'm going to be a celebrity.”

“So I take it you're not accepting CeCe's offer?” Mackenzie asked.

“You've got that right.” Piper nodded definitively. “I need a change. I've been working at Mead for so many years now, and with everything that's gone down with Lucy and Trevor, I just think it's for the best for everyone. What about you?” She looked at Mackenzie.

“I already told CeCe I'll be resigning. It makes no sense for me to stay.”

“What will you do next?” Annabel probed.

“I'm not really sure, to be honest.” Mackenzie shrugged. “Trevor went to bat for me in the divorce settlement. Let's just say I'll be financially secure for a while. And then some. Although I do want to find something I'm passionate about, when the time is right.”

“Lucky girl.” Annabel tore off a piece of her croissant. “In the end, Trevor kind of stepped up, huh?”

“He really did,” Mackenzie acknowledged. “It's puzzling even to me that I never realized I wasn't happy in our marriage. I think somehow I confused contentedness with happiness. Does that make any sense? It was like all of the right boxes had been checked. Trevor was handsome, kind, generous, and obviously very wealthy—although that part never really mattered to me. He was the guy every girl dreamed of marrying. And then there was the
proposal and the ring and the extravagant wedding. It was all so consuming and over-the-top fabulous while it was happening.”

“But?” Annabel prompted.

“But the burning desire wasn't ever there between us, nor was the intimate companionship I've realized I deserve in a husband. It was like I was wrapped up in this life he'd enveloped me in, even though we never truly got each other. We're so different in almost every way.” She thought for a moment. “Oddly enough, I feel thankful now that he and Lucy met. It forced me to see what was right in front of my eyes all along. I need someone who shares my interests. Someone with whom I really want to have and raise children. And, most important, someone I want to throw down on the bed and have my way with. The bottom line is that Trevor felt more like a friend.”

“Do you think you'll start dating again soon?” Annabel couldn't help herself.

“Funny you should ask.” Mackenzie grinned knowingly.

“I knew it!” Annabel announced. “What did I tell you?” She pointed to Piper.

“You were right; I'll give you that,” Piper admitted. “She said you'd find someone in no time.”

“Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.” Mackenzie held her hand up to stop them from jumping to conclusions. “The ink on the divorce papers has barely dried.”

“And may I say it was the quickest divorce in the history of divorces,” Annabel commented.

“I can give CeCe credit for expediting it. Once something has been decided on, she wants it done and over with so she can spin
it to her favor and move on. Unexpectedly, this time it worked to my advantage.” Mackenzie picked at her chocolate chip muffin.

“So, who's the guy?” Annabel arched an eyebrow.

“Do you remember James? That doctor we met the night you took me to the hospital?”

“Vaguely.” Annabel hesitated. “Super hot, right?”

“Kind of.” Mackenzie blushed. “Anyway, he asked me to go to the opera with him next Saturday night.”

“He doesn't waste any time.” Piper laughed.

“Actually, he was really respectful about it. He heard about the divorce. He said he just wants to get to know me better, whether as just friends or something more. We're going to take it slow; see where things go from here.”

“But you like him.” Annabel stated the obvious.

“I do,” Mackenzie confessed.

“Oh, sorry, that wasn't a question. I can tell. It's written all over your face.”

“Is that tacky?” Mackenzie scrunched her nose. “So soon after? I mean, I'm not saying he's the one. I guess I just want to find true love. Eventually.”

“If it feels right, that's all that matters,” Annabel affirmed. “Speaking of which, what's going on with you and Todd?” She shifted the conversation back to Piper.

“Things have been good. Really good. He moved back in. And not only is he supportive of my new bicoastal career plans, but he seems legitimately excited for me.”

“And all is friendly between Todd and Fern?”

“Thankfully, yes. Not to mention that she's cool with Max's
decision to move to California, now that she knows we'll be traveling there pretty often.”

“Wow. Seems like everything is as close to perfect as it could be. Although no more mention of marriage from Todd?” Annabel and Mackenzie exchanged glances.

“Nope.” Piper looked down at her plate of eggs and potatoes. “I guess he's not there yet. For the second time.”

“Are you sure?” Mackenzie stood up, as did Annabel. They both backed away from the table.

“What do you mean, am I sure? Where are you guys going?” Piper stared at them blankly. And before she knew what was happening, Todd and Fern came out from behind her. “What's going on?” Suddenly Todd knelt down on one knee in front of her, in the middle of the café. “Oh, my God!” Piper's hands flew to her mouth.

“Did you really think I'd let you get away that easy?” Todd opened up the black velvet ring box in his palm to reveal the same sparkling, pave-encrusted diamond band with the same oval-shaped emerald stone he'd presented to her on their second anniversary at Templeton's. “Let's try this again. Piper, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” she cried. “Yes, yes, yes!” She jumped out of her chair, knocking it to the ground and sending her purse and its entire contents to the floor. Todd got to his feet too, and slipped the ring onto Piper's finger before kissing her passionately, as the entire café full of patrons erupted into applause. Once they broke apart, she hugged Fern close. Then Mackenzie and Annabel too. “So, you all knew about this?”

Fern nodded enthusiastically, her smile wide and proud.

“We may have played a small role.” Annabel winked at her.

Todd wrapped his arms around Piper's waist. “So, everyone finally happy?”

“We sure are!” Piper beamed. “You know I'd hate to say I told you so.”

“But?” Mackenzie encouraged.

“Fine. I told you so!”

“Who wants Daddy's superduper delicious pancakes?” Henry's bellow echoed throughout the house. It was only ten in the morning and he'd already gone for a jog and stopped on the way home to pick up a dozen eggs and Annabel's favorite fresh-squeezed orange juice from the farmers' market. They'd invited Mackenzie and James and Piper, Todd, and Fern over for a midmorning brunch.

“I DO!” Harper called down the stairs, racing into the kitchen with his brother not far behind him.

“I DO TOO!” Hudson echoed. Neither of them had mastered the art of what Annabel called their inside voices.

“And what about you?” Henry came up behind his wife, grabbed her playfully around the waist, and kissed her neck tenderly.

“I should have an egg-white omelet.” She smiled wryly, turning around to face Henry. “But homemade pancakes are just too
tempting to pass up.” She clasped his face in her hands and planted a kiss firmly on his lips.

“Pancakes all around, then,” Henry announced triumphantly.

“With strawberries on top!” Annabel added. It had been just a few weeks since Henry had moved back in, but they'd yet to fall back into even one of their old habits. And she felt absolutely certain that their renewed passion toward each other and toward maintaining their family of four would only continue to flourish.

“Yay!” the boys cheered together as the doorbell rang.

“That'll be our guests,” Annabel declared, and made her way toward the front door.

“Hello, hello!” Mackenzie smiled wide, as Annabel ushered everyone into the house.

“You guys have good timing.” She hugged Mackenzie, then Piper, and shook hands with James before kissing Todd on the cheek. “Welcome.” She leaned over to give Fern a tight squeeze. “Don't you look pretty?” She motioned to Fern's pink dress with embroidered flowers.

“Thank you.” Fern curtsied before revealing a proud grin.

“Let's all migrate into the family room. Henry's making pancakes.”

“Hi, everyone!” Henry called from the other room.

“We've also got eggs, bagels, and fruit salad,” Annabel continued. “Whatever strikes your fancy.”

“Sounds delicious.” James nodded approvingly. Annabel didn't know him that well yet, but she could see how happy he was making Mackenzie. And that was what really mattered to her. After all, Mackenzie had always been the first one to steer her and Piper toward finding their own happiness in her wise but gentle way.

“Take a seat—make yourself at home. I'm going to check on Henry's progress.”

“I'll help you.” Piper stood up.

“Me too.” Mackenzie followed suit.

“No, you will not. We've got everything under control.”

“Really? There's nothing we can do?” Piper sat back down reluctantly.

“Nothing?” Mackenzie repeated.

“Nothing. Just relax,” Annabel insisted.

“I'm not particularly good at relaxing,” Piper added.

“Todd, can you please tell your fiancée to chill out?” She laughed. “I assure you, we're on it.”

“I can try.” Todd shrugged. “You know.
Some women
.”

“I sure do.” Annabel rolled her eyes good-naturedly and then retreated to the kitchen, where Henry was cracking eggs into a hot pan, with the boys a captive audience.

“Mommy?” Harper widened his eyes at her.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“I like having Daddy home. Is he going to stay?”

“I think you should ask Daddy that.” Annabel winked at Henry. “But I'm pretty sure I know the answer.”

Henry walked toward his sons, who were standing side by side, looking more distinct with each passing day, despite the fact that they were supposed to be identical. He knelt down in front of them and took one of their hands in each of his. “I promise you I'm not going anywhere. Ever again. I love your mommy. And I love both of you . . .”

“To the moon and back,” Hudson said, finishing his thought.

“To the moon and back.” Henry nodded and hugged them close.

Annabel closed her eyes. And finally exhaled.