“Ailee, we know you’re home!” Lareina says cheerily.
“Josh sent us. Can you let us in?” Fiona adds.
I blink. What are Ares’s and Bryce’s wives doing here?
I hit the open button on the monitor, curious about this visit. Did I forget to do something for them on Josh’s behalf? I remind him of all upcoming birthdays and any family-related celebrations, but can’t think of anything that’s happening at the moment.
The door unlocks, and they come in. Lareina is pretty, with unusual eyes—one blue and one green. A teal-and-purple dresswith a loose skirt fits her slim frame, her stilettos silver. Her wavy blonde hair hangs down in a heavy mass, and she has the most beautiful smile.
Fiona, on the other hand, is in a white empire-waist top and stretchy blue pants, maximizing comfort. Azure flip-flops slap the floor as she walks, a pink lacquer adorable on her toes. Her mouth twitches awkwardly, like she wants to smile under her mop of red hair, but can’t quite make herself to do so. Not sure why. Does she disapprove of the way Josh and I got “engaged”?
Lareina hugs me before I can say a word. “This is so exciting! I’m getting another sister!”
“Thanks…” It’s just a fake engagement, but I don’t have the heart to burst her bubble when she’s so excited.
“I was screaming when I saw the video. By the way, it didn’t do you justice. Bad lighting.”
“She’s right. The video made you look slightly green, but then, it also made your sister look like Shrek, so…” Fiona says.
I giggle, both at the imagery and the very idea that Katt could ever look like an ogre.
She covers her nose. “Sorry. Something smells a bitoffin here.”
I stiffen with embarrassment.Is it the soot on my clothes?
“Not you,” she adds hurriedly. “Probably some food or something.”
“Just an English muffin,” I say, in case she thinks I ate something super gross in Josh’s home.
“No, it’scream cheese. Ugh.” Fiona turns slightly pale. “I’ve developed this weird aversion to almost everything.”
Oh, shoot.I should’ve realized she might be experiencing nausea sooner. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” I take her and Lareina to sit in the living room so they can be away from the kitchen.
Fiona shakes her head. “Sorry I’m being difficult. Morning sickness is killing me. Anything except cornflakes, and my body’s likenope. I can’t even smell coffee on Bryce without feeling like I’m about to heave. He’s eating out for dinner and then brushing his teeth before coming home now.” Her shoulders sag. “This isn’t what I thought would happen when I got pregnant. I thought I’d be glowing, and he’d bring home all the delish things I was craving.”
Lareina pats her shoulder. “It’ll pass. It’s still early.”
“Yeah, I read that as the hormones fluctuate, your condition can change with them,” I add in sympathy. “I’m pretty sure the glow doesn’t come until the second or third trimester.”
“I hope so.” Fiona smiles wanly. “Areyouall right, though? I saw the news about the fire. How awful. Josh said you lost everything.”
“More or less. Except for my car, which I can’t drive until I get the fob replaced.Buuut—the bright side is that I’m healthy and unhurt.” I smile to let them know there’s no need to worry.
“So you only escaped with what you’re wearing?” Lareina gestures at my clothes, moving her hand up and down. “Like, literally?”
I nod. “I got lucky because a neighbor noticed the fire and knocked on my door. Otherwise, it could’ve been much worse.”
“Still, it’s horrible. What about things like photos with your family and friends?” Fiona asks.
The sincere warmth touches me. “Everything I want to keep is backed up in the cloud,” I say. And there really wasn’t much except for some photos with friends. My family and I never took a lot of pictures. And the ones we did take were awkward, with me trying to act like I belonged in the shots while Mom and Dad had their arms around Katt. I keep that to myself, though, since Fiona’s family situation is worse than mine. It wasn’t long agothat gruesome articles about her criminally abusive brother were all over the place, leaving her no dignity or privacy.
“Do you want to head out and get some clothes and stuff?” Lareina asks. “We’d love to take you shopping, if that’s okay.”
I almost tear up at the unexpected offer. The idea of having to replace everything has been just…overwhelming. I hate making decisions about what to buy—because it has to be affordableandnice, since I have to look the part of a successful lawyer’s assistant. If Max were in town, I would’ve asked her to shop with me. But she won’t be back for several days, and I can’t continue to wear this shirt and boxers, especially sans bra.
I’ve never seen Lareina and Fiona dressed badly, so I’m sure they both have a fabulous sense of style. Still, I hesitate. “Okay, but…” I turn to Fiona. “Won’t you get tired? I don’t want to impose if you’d rather rest at home.”
She smiles. “I slept in this morning. And my doctor said it’s better to get out and about from time to time. Besides, I want to hear everything about your romance with Josh!”
