Page 26 of Verdict

Addison and Farrah nodded, sending Patty on her way.

“Jesus, that woman is too much. And why does she always pick on me?” Farrah complained.

Addison chuckled. “Because you always give her a reaction.”

When Patty returned with our wine and a large pizza, we dug in and fell into comfortable conversation.

“So, I just got off a FaceTime call with Cohen, and he said Walker totally leaked whatever it is you planned on telling us today.” I took a quick sip of wine.

Farrah groaned. “Of course he leaked it. But dammit, Ava, now he knows I’m telling y’all. He’s gonna be pissed at me.”

“Okay, Farrah. Like that boy ever really gets mad at you,” Addison teased with an eye roll.

“Okay, whatever. Who cares? Now tell us what the hell the news is,” Aria chimed in, impatient.

Farrah looked at each of us with a smile that nearly split her face in half. “I’m pregnant.”

Addison jumped up, squealing, rounding the table to pull Farrah into a hug. A tear slipped down Aria’s cheek as she quickly swiped it away, and I couldn’t wipe the massive smile off my face.

“I was wondering why you weren’t touching your wine,” I smirked. “Congratulations, Farrah! That’s amazing. How do you feel?”

“I feel great,” she beamed. “We just found out we’re having a boy.”

“I have two nieces, and now I get a nephew!” Addison clapped her hands together happily.

Aria pulled her sister into a hug. “I’m so excited for another baby in our family. How excited is Hadley?”

Farrah took a bite of pizza as we all settled back down. “She’s over the moon. She’s been dying for a sibling. I can’t wait to see her with her baby brother.”

Was this a glimpse of my future? Another baby. A sibling for Ellie. But with a man who wasn’t Cohen?

The pizza suddenly sat heavy in my stomach. I pushed my plate away.

We talked a little while longer about her pregnancy and Walker’s ridiculous antics.

And as if she could see straight through me, Farrah glanced over. “So, how’s everything going with Cohen? You guys seem to be settling into a good routine.”

I nodded around a sip of wine, setting the glass back on the table. My eyes stayed down, watching the dark ruby liquid slide along the sides as I swirled it. “Yeah, he’s definitely surprised me this last year.”

Aria nudged me with her elbow. “Doesn’t help that you think he’s stupidly hot,” she teased. “I think being a dad has only upped his hotness level.”

Addison laughed. “Totally true.” She propped her chin in her hand and let out this dreamy sigh. “I can’t wait to see Dean as a daddy.”

"Yeah, you two won't have to worry about being creative in finding ways to fit in sex. You have zero issues doing it in public places." I snickered behind my wine glass, unable to help myself. Addison and Dean had a habit of being found in compromising positions. In a bathroom at the local bar, in a horse stall, and, most recently, in his office at his veterinary clinic.

"Cohen is attractive, funny, and very single. Oh, and the father of your child. How do you not have sex with him?" Farrah tilted her head curiously.

I took that moment to take another very large sip of wine. I may have drunk half the glass in one pull.

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and I noticed the way Aria narrowed her eyes at me. As if she knew. No way I was telling any of them about the recent slip-up with Cohen. Not only was it slightly embarrassing that the poor guy had helped me out with an… er… uncomfortable situation, but then I’d proceeded to mount him like a tiger in heat.

As Cohen and I had agreed, we would just pretend that had never happened.

Because pretending was easier than admitting the truth. That it wasn't a mistake. That I wanted it to happen again.

"I don't know. He isn't into me that way, and it would only complicate everything. We have a really good friendship, so I'd like to keep it that way. He's a great dad to Ellie," I said instead.

Aria remained quiet, but I could tell she wasn't remotely buying what I was selling.