And if I tell her the entire purpose is to get me pregnant so I can have a slice of the happiness she’s feeling, she’ll lose her mind.
She knows I want kids; it’s a topic we speak on regularly, and she believes it will happen in time. But I don’t want to wait any longer.
I feel like I’ve had my fair share of bad dates, bad hook ups and bad men. I’m done waiting for it. Trying and failing is getting me nowhere. Now I am in control.
“You’re totally lying,” she huffs, “And I’m too tired to fight with you.”
I remain quiet, letting her stare at the side of my face in the hopes that the big sister glare will get me to spill the tea. It won’t. I’ve grown armor against it.
There isn’t a huge age gap between us, only two years, and we were close growing up and now, we have a bond that few can claim to have. I was there for the birth of her first son, maid of honor at her wedding; she taught me how to drive and helped me set up my shop.
Eventually, Luce gives up trying to stare the truth out of me and dramatically falls back onto the cushions. “Fine. Keep your secrets.”
“You’re so dramatic.”
“Listen,” she mutters, “I have been spending all my time with a newborn; I have barely had any adult conversation. Forgive me for wanting a little excitement.”
Shaun, Luce’s husband, works away a lot. He’s got a great job with good pay, but it has him traveling all over the country, so he spends days away at a time. He only managed to get a week off after his son was born, but he does it for his family, and I know Luce appreciates the hell out of that man.
“When is he back?” I ask her softly.
“Two days,” she gets a dreamy look on her face, “Then he has a project in the next town over, so he’ll be home more.”
“That’s good,” I beam.
“And how is that fine as fuck best friend of yours? Haven’t seen him for a while.”
“Good,” I squeak. I’d hoped she wouldn’t bring Noah up since I knew I wouldn’t be able to school my reaction at the mention of his name. Especially not when only eight hours ago he had me sprawled on my desk with his head between my thighs.
Pretty sure that’s not how you make a baby, but I digress.
Like a dog with a bone, she picks up on the scent of my nerves and narrows her eyes. “What did he do?”
“What do you mean?” I laugh nervously.
“He did something. Have you two fallen out?”
Not quite. More like fallen into each other.
“Please,” I shake my head, forcing my hair out from behind my ear so I can use it like a shield, “When have we ever fallen out?”
“That’s true.” She nods, “But there’s something.”
“Noah’s good. I’m good. What more do you want?”
She pouts, “I have a lot of time on my hands, Sid. Remember when that dude started leaving all those bad reviews for Peace and Peonies because you turned him down for a date? I found his mom, brother, second cousin,anda list of his former employers. I will find out, so you may as well tell me.”
She’s not wrong.
“We slept together.” I mumble it under my breath in the hopes she doesn’t hear.
“What!?” She shrieks, startling her son, who yanks away from the bottle to let out a cry.
“Hey, hey,” I adjust him so I can burp him. “Shh, it’s okay.”
“Back the fuck up, Sidney,” my sister is practically foaming at the mouth, “When?”
“Last night,” my cheeks are turning hot, “and at lunchtime—well, I’m not sure that can be classed as sleeping together since we didn’t actually—“ I cut myself off. “Never mind.”
