Introductions are made and we move to a couple of the tables pushed together to get out of the way of any incoming customers. It’s interesting watching Kai interact with these people. The closeness between them is obvious to any passerby. It reminds me of my friendship with Angie and Justine. The kind of bond that goes deeper than blood, straight to your very essence. Kai has told me that he met the guys when he was twenty-one, though he won’t tell me how. He said it’s some sort of closely guarded secret which sounds dumb to me but that’s neither here nor there. I’m just happy that he found them when he did, because if his years after we broke up were anything like mine, I’m sure he needed them.

Just then, baby Bianca, who’s been asleep against Isaiah’s chest this whole time, wakes up and starts screaming at the top of her lungs. Isaiah sways side to side and rubs her back to try to comfort her but she won’t settle. Nina starts to reach for her but Kai gets there first, holding his arms out for her. As soon as Isaiah puts her in his arms her cries go from a loud roar to a low whimper and my chest aches. Of course he’s a damn baby whisperer. I’ve seen and been around babies plenty of times since I made the choice not to have mine, and it’s never bothered me, but I’ve never seen Kai with a baby before. And to see how good he is with her breaks something deep inside of me. That should’ve been us. He should’ve had the chance to hold our baby and soothe them back to sleep. We should be worrying about the stresses of raising a teenager right now. My hands become clammy and my neck feels hot. I try to excuse myself to the bathroom, but the words are stuck in my throat so I just run off without warning.

I splash water on my face the minute I get into the bathroom and try to calm my breathing. There’s a small bench in the bathroom which comes in really handy since I don’t want to sit on the floor, even though it looks immaculately clean, and I desperately need to get off my feet.

My head is in my hands when the door creaks open, and I try to conceal the tears falling but I know it’s no use.

A handful of paper towels are held in front of my face, and I look up to find Ciara watching me with sympathetic eyes. Nina and Sasha are on either side of her, comfort rolling off them in waves.

“You okay, boo?” Ciara asks.

“Oh yeah, I’m fine. I just got a little warm.”