Jaxon sets the bag down and presses a kiss to Jessa’s temple before turning to me. Kamal follows with the takeout, offering me a warm smile as he starts unpacking containers.
But it’s Jaxon I’m watching. The way his gaze drifts to Antonio, then back to me. There’s quirk at the corner of his mouth, like he’s holding back a comment.
I’ve seen that look before. At brunch three weeks ago, when Antonio passed me the syrup without being asked. At game night, when we accidentally reached for the same card. Small moments that shouldn’t mean anything, but Jaxon always seems to catch them.
I’ve spent months telling myself I was paranoid. That no one could know about the night I’ve pretended didn’t change everything.
But the guys have been different around us lately. Not obvious about it, just a certain awareness in the room whenever Antonio and I occupy the same space.
They know something. Maybe not about the baby, but about us.
Which means Meesha and Jessa are the only ones still in the dark. My best friends. The last to know.
I’m too tired for this. For the pretense, the secret glances, the slow unraveling.
“How are you actually feeling?” Jaxon asks.
“Sore. Exhausted. Like my brain is wrapped in cotton.” I pause. “But okay. Really.”
Kamal starts unpacking the takeout containers. “You need to eat something. Hospital food is—”
“I’m pregnant. Antonio is the father.”
The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. Before I can think them through.
Kamal’s hand freezes over a container of fries. Jaxon smirks. Connor blinks once, twice, as if he’s waiting for the punchline.
Meesha stares at me. Then at Antonio. Then back at me.
“I’m sorry—Antonio?” She points at him. “This Antonio? My brother?”
I nod, bracing for her reaction.
Meesha’s face breaks into a grin. “Oh my God!” She smacks Connor’s arm. “I’m going to be an aunt!”
“Me too!” Jessa adds.
“Not really,” Meesha is dancing. “My best friend is having my brother’s baby. Do you understand what this means?” She points at Jessa, then at me. “I’m going to be an aunt before either of you. I win.”
“This isn’t a competition,” Jessa says.
“It is, and I’m winning.” Meesha crosses to my bed and grabs my hand. “A little niece. I’m going to spoil her rotten. She’s going to have the best wardrobe of any baby in this city.”
Connor shakes his head. “Of course that’s where your head goes.”
“Where else would it go?” She looks at Antonio, still frozen in his chair. “You’re going to be a dad. This is exciting. Carmen will be happy!”
Antonio doesn’t respond.
“We should give them some space,” Jaxon suggests.
Jessa squeezes my hand before stepping back, and Meesha leans down to press a kiss to my forehead. “We’ll call you tomorrow,” she murmurs, then moves to her brother. She cups his face and plants a kiss on his cheek. “Breathe, Tony. This is a good thing.”
He manages a tight nod, and she pats his shoulder before rejoining Connor.
The guys file past Antonio one by one. Jaxon claps him on the back without a word. Connor follows with a firm squeeze to his shoulder and a look that says they’ll talk later. Kamal pauses longest, studying Antonio’s face before giving him a nod.
“We left you some food,” Kamal says, gesturing to the containers on the windowsill. “Make sure she eats something.”
