Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty
Author’s POV
Tasha stood by the kitchen counter, pouring a glass of juice when she heard soft footsteps behind her. She turned, and a smile spread across her face as Claire walked in with Ethan, his backpack slung over his tiny shoulders.
“Look who’s sharp and ready for school!” Claire said with a bright grin, giving Ethan’s hair a playful ruffle.
Ethan beamed up at her, his nervousness momentarily forgotten. “Mom helped me pick out my clothes!” he said, standing proudly in his crisp blue shirt and khakis, looking every bit the brave boy ready for his first day.
Tasha chuckled, glancing at her son with a touch of pride. “He’s been planning this outfit all week.”
Claire knelt down beside Ethan, adjusting his shirt. “Well, you look like the coolest kid in the entire school. You’re going to make a lot of new friends today, right?”
Ethan nodded eagerly, his earlier doubts seemingly erased by Claire’s infectious enthusiasm. “Yeah! I’m ready!”
Tasha smiled warmly, grateful for Claire’s presence. Ever since they had moved to New York, Claire had been a constant support, helping Tasha balance work and raising Ethan. Today, though, was different. It was his first real step into independence, and Tasha felt a mixture of excitement and worry.
“You nervous, buddy?” Tasha asked as she handed him his lunchbox, filled with his favorite snacks.
Ethan shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Maybe a little… but Claire said I’ll be fine. Right, Claire?”
Claire gave him an encouraging nod. “Absolutely. You’ve got this!”
As they headed to the door, Tasha crouched down, pulling Ethan in for a quick hug. “You’re going to be amazing. I’ll pick you up after school, and you can tell me all about it.”
Ethan wrapped his arms around her, his small face pressed against her shoulder. “Okay, Mom.”
***
Tasha was straightening up the living room when she heard a knock at the door. She walked over and opened it to find Robbin standing there, dressed in a sharp suit, holding his briefcase. His usual confident smile was in place, but there was a hint of disappointment when he glanced inside.
“Hey,” Robbin greeted, leaning in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I dropped by to check on Ethan before heading to work.”
Tasha smiled softly. “You just missed him. Claire took him to school a few minutes ago.”
Robbin raised an eyebrow. “Already? I wanted to wish him good luck on his first day.”
“You know how excited he was. He couldn’t wait,” Tasha said with a chuckle. “But I’m sure he’ll love hearing that you stopped by. I’ll let him know.”
Robbin nodded, though the disappointment lingered in his eyes. He shifted the briefcase in his hand, taking a quick glance around the room as if hoping to catch a glimpse of Ethan’s presence. “He’ll be fine,
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Chapter Thirty
though. First days are always nerve–wracking, but he’s a brave kid.”
Tasha sighed, moving to sit on the couch. “Yeah, he’ll be okay. But you know how it is… first day of school jitters. I was a wreck this morning.”
Robbin walked in, setting his briefcase on the coffee table as he sat down beside her. “You worry too much,” he teased gently, putting his arm around her shoulders. “Ethan’s a lot stronger than you give him credit for.”
“I know, I just can’t help it,” Tasha replied, leaning against him for a moment, feeling his warmth and steady presence.
He chuckled softly, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “You’re a great mom, Tasha. Ethan’s lucky to have you.”
Tasha smiled, her heart warming at his words. “Thanks, Robbin.”
He glanced at his watch and then back at her, his expression softening. “I should get going before I’m late. But I’ll stop by later, maybe we can grab dinner?”
“That sounds nice,” Tasha agreed. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Robbin stood, picking up his briefcase. He hesitated for a second, then leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. It was brief, but there was something in the way his hand lingered on her shoulder that made Tasha feel comforted.
“I’ll see you later, Tash,” he said with a smile, then headed for the door.
Not so long after Robbin left, Tasha heard the sound of the front door opening. Claire stepped inside, carrying her purse and taking off her sunglasses with a flourish.
“Look who’s back,” Claire said, flashing a smile. “Ethan’s already made a couple of friends, by the way. He’s going to be fine.”
Tasha let out a sigh of relief. “Good. I was worried he’d have a hard time fitting in, especially since it’s one of those prestigious schools.”
Claire chuckled, tossing her bag onto the chair and sitting down. “Tash, you’ve got nothing to worry about. It’s one of the best schools in the city, sure, but Ethan’s a smart kid. He’s going to charm his way through
it.”
Tasha nodded, still feeling that nervous mom energy. “Yeah, I know. It’s just… it’s his first day, and I want everything to go smoothly.”
“Don’t stress so much,” Claire assured her. “You made the right decision putting him there. You’re giving him a great future.”
Tasha smiled softly. “Thanks for taking him this morning. I was a mess, and I didn’t want him to see that.”
Claire waved her hand dismissively. “That’s what I’m here for. Plus, I got to see all those rich kids with their designer backpacks, looking like mini CEOs. I swear, that place is like a runway for kids.”
Tasha laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, it is. Speaking of runways…” she said, her tone shifting, “I need to get my head back in the game for the upcoming fashion contest.”
Claire raised an eyebrow. “Ah, yes. The big event. You ready?”
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Tasha bit her lip. “I’ve been working hard, but you know how these things go. It’s Belvoir Couture’s debut, and everything needs to be flawless.”
1 know it’s stressful, but you’ve got this,” Claire encouraged her. “You’ve been through worse. Remember that disaster last year when half the models got sick the night before the show?”
Tasha groaned at the memory. “Don’t remind me.”
Claire grinned. “And yet, you still pulled it off. This contest is nothing compared to that.”
1 just need everything to be perfect,” Tasha said, running her hands through her hair. “Especially with the investors attending. The last thing I want is for something to go wrong.”
Claire’s expression softened. “Hey, you’ve worked your butt off for this. The designs are incredible, and you’ve got the right team. Trust yourself.”
Tasha nodded, though the pressure of the upcoming event still weighed on her. “Yeah, you’re right. I just have to make sure every detail is in place.”
“Speaking of details,” Claire said, leaning forward, “have you figured out what you’re going to wear?” Tasha gave her a small smile. “I’m working on it. I need something that makes a statement but doesn’t overshadow the designs.”
“I’ve got a few ideas if you need help,” Claire offered with a wink.
“I might take you up on that,” Tasha replied, feeling a little lighter with Claire’s support.
Claire stood up, brushing her hands off. “Alright, fashion guru, let’s start getting things in order. You’ve got a big week ahead.”
As Claire moved towards the kitchen to grab a drink, Tasha’s phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at it and saw a message from Mr Belvoir.
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