His smile is indulgent as he sweeps a hand gently over the small of her back. “You’re feeling okay? Not too tired?”
She lifts on tiptoe, presses a kiss to his bearded jaw. “I’m feeling great. Now get back out there and try to win over Leo’s girlfriend.”
The owner of the snide tone and the Yeah, no. That’s not for me.
“Not sure what he sees in her…” Smitty’s eyes come to mine and I deliberately look down, refocus on packing leftovers.
I’m really good at packing leftovers.
Yup.
Excellent loading.
Precise lid-closing.
Tactical Jenga-stacking in the fridge.
And also, I’m really good at hiding.
From the beautiful, albeit bitchy, woman in the other room.
You’d think for her first time meeting everyone—who are all being their usual welcoming selves—she’d be nicer.
But she’s not…how do I put this kindly?
She’s not…receiving their energy.
In fact, she’s so not receiving their energy that the entire night has been nothing short of a disaster.
“I think she’s just…” Kailey pauses and sighs. “I don’t know what she is. Maybe insecure and compensating? Maybe upset that she and Leo are here with us instead of on a date night or something? Or they could have fought on the way over or—or?—”
“She just really hates boardgames?” I supply.
“Exactly,” she says.
I shove the last container in the fridge then brace myself. I’ve drawn out my packing up of the leftovers as much as possible—which means I have nowhere to look except for the ridiculously in love couple standing across from me.
So, I don’t miss the look they exchange.
Don’t miss Smitty running his hand over Kailey’s hair, kissing the top of her head.
Then he shocks the shit out of me by moving over to me and doing the same.
Without another word—which would be unnerving enough without the show of affection—he leaves the kitchen.
Kailey starts up on the dishes again.
“Does he know?”
“About you being pregnant?”
I nod as I take the pot she’s just washed and begin to dry it.
“No,” she says. “We—well Luna decided and we agreed—to keep things just between us. If the guys find out…” She shrugs. “We just figured you didn’t need any extra cooks in the kitchen right now.”
“I hear your pun,” I say as I put the pot away, “and I appreciate it.” I force myself to meet her eyes and smile. “Same as I appreciate you guys all being so nice to me.”
“Ah, Harp.” Her voice is soft. “You have to know it’s not just because we’re being nice.”
