Gemma gaped. “Wow, really?”
“Hey, I always tell you the truth.”
“Except when you’re lying,” she tossed back. “Like there is no way you ordered cauliflower for yourself.”
“Let it go, Gem.”
“No, nigga, because you just gave me the third degree over Karma. It was Rissa, wasn’t it?”
“I gotta go.” I pulled my wallet out. “You can take that cauliflower with you. And the pizza.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” I dropped a couple bills on the table. “Share it with the love of your life.”
Her shoulders fell. “I thought we agreed to move forward. Don’t do her like that.”
I lifted my hands in surrender. “Fine. If you like it, I love it.”
“Now I know you’re lying.”
I barked out a laugh. “Whatever, Gem.” I stood and tugged her to her feet. “You look good, though. Healthy and not swollen.”
She smacked me. “That was baby weight. And my blood pressure was a little high.”
“Because you needed to slow yo’ ass down and stop moving so fast.” I hugged her. “I’m proud of you, though. Doing that mom thing, working . . .”
“And planning a wedding.” She groaned, pressing a hand against the small of her back. “This shit is painful.”
Concerned, I tilted my head and assessed her. “You need to go to the hospital, Gemma.”
Ignoring me, she waved a dismissive hand. “I’m fine. You know I want you to be my best person.”
I raised a brow. “If there’s really a wedding, I got you.”
“There’s gonna be a wedding,” she argued. “She’s the one.”
“Whatever you say.” I kissed her brow. “Call me tomorrow.”
“Yep. I told Paityn we were hanging out and she said I could bring the baby to her.”
“Who’s with him now?”
“My neighbors’ daughter. She’s responsible, intelligent, and needs extra money for band camp.”
“Look at that. I’m surprised you let someone watch the baby. I bet you gave her a book of instructions.”
Gemma had always been organized. Developing SOPs was part of her job because she’d created them all her life. Procedures for cleaning her bathroom, mopping the floor, washing her clothes. I was sure it was ten times worse now that she had a whole baby to take care of.
“And did,” she agreed. “I gave her your number because you’re my emergency contact. I also gave her the address of where you’re staying while you’re here. Just in case.”
“You probably have it in a color-coordinated binder.”
“With annotation tabs.” She giggled. “Seriously, I love you, bro.”
“Love you, too.”
She turned to walk away but paused. Whirling around, she said, “Tell Rissa I said hello.”
