“You like him, a lot, a lot.”
I bite my lip. “Yeah, a lot, a lot.” We used to say it with Max when we liked or wanted something. The moment suddenly feels very heavy.
“Because he’s got that big dick energy?”
Her question causes us to both burst out laughing.
“That he does.”
She bites her bottom lip, a wistful look crossing her features. “It’s almost sinful how good-looking those boys are.”
I cock an eyebrow.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that. Ethan's a twin, for crying out loud, it’s impossible not to appreciate such fine specimens, and now I’ve seen Nathan’s arse. Well, it only solidifies what I’ve thought all along, men who look that good should come with a warning label.”
“I don’t know whether to reprimand you for checking out his arse or not at this point.”
She pulls her hair over her shoulder and starts playing with the ends. “Oh please, like you never checked out Ethan’s,” she deadpans.
Okay, fine, she has me there, so I shrug.
“Anyway, you start rehearsals tomorrow?”
My stomach lights with nervous energy.
“Yeah.” I bring my thumbnail to my mouth and start biting the skin around my nail bed.
She looks at me quizzically. “Vi, is everything all right? I feel like I’ve been neglecting you lately.”
I frown. “What, don’t be daft,” I say, slapping her knee softly with the back of my hand.
Her eyes glass over. Fuck, pregnancy hormones.
“Char, where’s this coming from?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I don’t know, everything is changing so fast, and you’re my person. And I just don’t feel like I’ve been there for you.”
Her admission surprises me.
“You’re scared?”
She nods and then shakes her head. “Yes, and no. Ethan is, Ethan.” Her smile is wistful. “He’s amazing, attentive, thoughtful, everything I’d want in a partner. But we’re about to have not one but two babies. Having a baby is hard as it is, but two.”
I know she’s worried. Who wouldn’t be, it was a surprise, and a double one at that, but if any couple can make it work, it's these two.
“I have no doubts it will be hard. You can kiss your arse goodbye to sleep. But I know you’ll both be the best parents to Holly and Max.”
It’s hard not to get choked up when I think of what her little boy’s name will be.
When Char found me in the kitchen as the baby shower was wrapping up and told me they wanted to name their little boy Max, to say I was blown away was an understatement. I was already somewhat overwhelmed, and that revelation brought it all to the surface. But in a good way, it’s also a testament to the kind of man Ethan is too. He was the one who suggested it.
Her eyes brighten. “You think?”
I shake my head because no, I don’t think. “Charlotte, I know.”
She reaches up to play with the end of her French plait as it curls at the end. I don’t know how she has the patience, not with all that hair.
“Thank you, but I want to know if you’re okay. I know something else is going on with you. Please talk to me.”
