Lydia grinned, drawing out the suspense like she’d been training for this moment her whole life. “And that means the winner of this year’s chili cook-off is…”
She paused, milking it.
“The Rusty Stag!”
Cheers exploded around us, echoing off the snowy streets. Before I could even process what happened, Drew whooped, grabbed me by the waist, and spun me around.
“Drew!” I yelped, laughing despite myself as the world blurred into white flakes and Christmas lights. “Put me down!”
“Not until you admit I make a mean chili,” he said, spinning me again.
“Fine! You win!” I gasped, clinging to his shoulders. “Nowplease, before we both eat snow!”
He finally set me down, still grinning, his hands lingering at my waist just long enough for my heart to misbehave. The world had gone dizzy in more ways than one.
“Congratulations,” I managed, stepping back. “Guess that flirting system works after all.”
He smirked. “Told you it’s good for business.”
Before I could retort, the snow started coming down harder with fat, heavy flakes falling fast enough to blur the lights of the booths. People began shuffling toward the bar and coffee shop, ducking under awnings for shelter.
“Looks like the storm’s settling in,” Lydia called from the stage, her hair already dusted white. “Let’s get everything packed up and head inside!”
I moved toward the chili station to help with cleanup, but what caught my attention stopped me cold.
Callum was hovering beside Lydia, helping her gather supplies, his hand brushing hers in that unconscious, easy way that made me both melt and gag. But then he did something different…something that made my heart stutter.
He reached out and rested a hand lightly against her belly.
And Lydia… didn’t move it away. She just smiled, soft, secret, and radiant, before covering his hand with hers.
I froze mid-step, the snow instantly forgotten.
Wait.
Wait,what?
Shecaressed her belly.
I blinked.
Lydia… was pregnant.
Pregnant.
My best friend. My non-stop, caffeine-powered, always-had-a-plan friend.
And she hadn’t said a single word.
But now that I was thinking about it, it all made sense. The hot chocolate instead of wine. The cider instead of the champagne.
The mysterious “I’ve been tired lately” and “no sushi for me back in Seattle.”
I turned slowly toward Drew, my mind spinning faster than the snowstorm.
He caught my look immediately. “What?”
“How long have you known?” I demanded.
