Page 122 of Holden’s Resurrection

“New bedroom furniture isn’t a housewarming present,” Holden returned and I settled in for the same argument I’d heard three times already.

I’d politely declined her generous offer. Holden hadn’t declined politely, he’d told her she was nuts and she absolutely couldn’t buy us a ten-thousand-dollar gift. Yes, ten grand, I’d nearly fallen over when I saw the price tag. His comment had led into a thirty-minute dispute about Holden saving Evie’s life. Seeing as Chasin was present for this disagreement and he hated being reminded his friend had been shot and almost killed protecting his woman, he thankfully ended the tiff by pulling a still-shouting Evie out the door.

“It is to me,” she retorted.

“Well, it isn’t to me. Love you like a sister, Genevieve, but you are not now nor are you ever buying us furniture.”

“Fine,” she huffed, and tears sprang in her eyes.

Holden’s face fell and he took a step to her but she put up her hands to stop him.

“Evie, sweetheart, I didn’t—”

“I know you didn’t,” she hissed and angrily swiped at her face. “Stupid pregnancy hormones.”

Evie’s eyes widened in shock and she slammed her hand over her mouth like she could shove the words back in, but it was too late. The whole room was stunned into silence.

“Come again?” Chasin barked, and Evie jumped and her eyes sliced to her best friend, Bobby. The look could only be identified as “eek”.

Thank God, Bobby broke the tension and roared in hysterics.

“You suck at…” Bobby stammered, “keeping secrets. It hasn’t even been an hour and you’ve already blown it.”

“An hour?” Chasin growled. “Why does she know you’re having my baby before I know you’re having my baby?”

Holden stepped closer, put his arms around me, and tucked me to his side. When he had me where he wanted, he bent down and whispered, “It’s a shame Nixon and Alec went to Nix’s to get a toolbox.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because they’re gonna miss Chasin throwing a tantrum.”

“That’s not nice,” I mumbled and glanced back at a red-faced Chasin.

“It might not be nice but it’s gonna be hilarious.”

“You say that, but how mad would you be if you found out I told Kennedy I was pregnant before I told you?”

Just as I expected, Holden went solid and his hand went to my chin and forced me to look up at him.

“Did you tell Kennedy you’re…are you?”

I shrugged and smiled. “No. I didn’t tell her. But I am three weeks late, so I asked her to pick me up a test.”

All the color bleached from my man’s face and his beautiful brown eyes went lazy.

“Have you taken it?” he whispered.

“Nope. I thought we’d wait until everyone was gone.”

“Party’s over!” Holden shouted. “Everyone out.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I smacked him on the chest and glanced around the room at our startled friends.

Our friends.

Mine and his.

And Faith’s.