“There are beers in the fridge,” I shout to his back and shake my head as I face my father. “Do you think he’ll ever move past this and actually like Mark?”
“It’s hard to tell with your brother. He’s passionate about a good love story, so I’m sure he will come around.”
“Mark and I aren’t a love story, Dad.”
“And that’s my cue to go check on . . . the kitchen.” June spins and leaves.
“You might not think you are, dear, but a mold is slowly forming, and once it sets, that’s it.”
Why does everyone assume Mark and I will end up together? Just because two people are having a baby doesn’t mean they have to get married.
But you’d marry Mark.
God. Okay, focus, Sydney.
“Okay, I think you’ve been reading too many of Hero’s books.” I laugh and push my father toward the kitchen as the doorbell rings again. “Go mingle.”
He chuckles as he trails off, and Mom hugs me then follows behind him. I open the door to see Tripp and Lennox on the other side. My smile starts to fade.
“If you have a girl, Mark owes me a hundred bucks,” Tripp says.
Lennox swats his chest and laughs. “That’s your opening line?”
“What? It’s true.”
“Thank you for inviting us. Is Mark inside?” Lennox asks.
I step back to let them by. “Last I saw him; he was shoveling the back patio.”
Both of Mark’s friends pause in the doorway.
“Like supervising?” Lennox asks.
“No. He’s doing it himself.”
Tripp chuckles and shakes his head. “I knew it.”
I want to ask him what he means, but I’m too stunned at the way Lennox is looking at me with a soft smile and kindness in her eyes.
“What did I miss?” Winston says as he arrives.
“Nothing yet. Come check out what Mark is doing,” Tripp says and waves for him to follow him.
“You look beautiful, Sydney,” Winston says as they all make their way through the house.
“Thank you,” I say trailing behind them.
Our guests—my father, mother, Hero, June, Winston, Tripp, and Lennox—are all here.
“Are you ready for this?” Mark asks, brushing his hand against my back. He lightly rubs up and down my spine as he leans in. “I vote for a boy because you don’t really like sweets, and I read somewhere that a lot of sweets means girl.”
“You looked up old wives’ tales?”
“You didn’t?”
“I did, but I didn’t think you cared about the gender that much.”
“I really only wish for a happy, healthy baby, but it’s fun to read the myths.”
