“Big of you,” Sawyer says dryly.
“It is.” Smitty’s eyes narrow. “Isn’t it, Ricky?”
Christ, that fucking nickname.
I fork up a bite of pasta, ignore him.
Thankfully, he allows himself to be ignored.
Probably because Sawyer says, “Did you know it would take a wombat four to six days to digest the meal we’re eating?”
Smitty pushes his still-full plate away. “You’re an asshole, you know that, right?”
“I know it doesn’t make any sense as to why you’re scared of them. They’re fucking adorable.”
“They have claws”—he makes a rawr motion with his hands—“and beady little eyes”—he shudders—“those are reason enough. What about you? Do I need to bring up the fact that you’re allergic to commitment?”
“Do I need to bring up cube-shaped poop again?” Sawyer threatens.
Smitty shudders.
“How about we eat instead of discussing titties and poop and a fear of commitment?” Kailey suggests.
“Tell me why you’re so smart, little bird,” Smitty says, jumping on the distraction. “Because I definitely need some dessert after this.”
Sawyer opens his mouth, but I tune him out as Luna leans close to Faye, her voice dropping in a way that has me listening closely. “Do you really think that Harper is going to be okay at her appointment by herself?”
My heart sinks.
Is she?—?
But before I can ask…or even consider what exactly I’m suddenly desperate to ask Luna keeps talking, her words so quiet I have to strain to hear. “I know she said she’s fine and Dr. Harlow is amazing, but deciding to keep the baby is huge?—”
My breath hisses out of me, the relief pouring through me so intense I can barely think, let alone listen.
By the time I tune back in, it’s to hear Kailey say, “We have to respect her wishes.”
“Yes,” Faye agrees, her gaze flicking to mine before she leans closer to the girls and whispers, “Her appointment is at ten tomorrow. We’ll give her until noon to check in. If she doesn’t, we send reinforcements.”
Luna nods approvingly. “I like this plan.”
“Yes,” Kailey says.
They glance at Bri, who’s sitting on the other side of Aiden.
“I’m in,” she says.
“I would ask what you’re all plotting—” Smitty says.
“But we wouldn’t tell you anyway, honey,” Kailey says, neatly cutting him off. “The good thing is”—she snags the dessert menu the waiter brought by earlier—“it’s time for more food.”
Smitty scowls.
But only for a moment.
Then Luna is talking about crème brûlée and Bri is asking Faye to help her with a new recipe she wants to try out.
Sawyer is griping about his new neighbors who moved in next door—and seem determined to fight, but only in the middle of the night.
