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Which means we’re probably the last ones here, and I can’t delay the inevitable.
I hop out and smooth my hands down my fitted white dress. Looking at me, you’d have no idea that I’m pregnant. It’s proof that looks can be deceiving.
I open the back door of the truck and grab the two gift bags while Xander gets Prue.
The bags are blue and red for the Fourth of July. I didn’t want to do anything babyish that would give it away before they got to the contents of the bag.
Xander meets me at the other side of the truck, with Prue on a leash. He takes one of the bags from me and then holds my hand. He gives it a slight squeeze and gives me a reassuring smile.
“It’s going to be okay. Breathe.”
I do as he instructs.
He lowers his head, brushing his lips over mine, and when he pulls away, I laugh. “You have lipstick on you now.” I move the bag to my wrist so I can use my fingers to wipe the red smear away. “Got it—but whore red is a great look on you.”
He snorts. “Noted.”
“I’ll buy you a shirt.” I grin at him.
“I’m sure you will,” he grumbles.
“Gotta feed my addiction.”
We head inside, not bothering to knock. The house is empty, so Xander keeps goi
ng, straight out the back.
We find everybody gathered around tables, or standing talking. Xander’s dad, Cooper, is grilling, and his mom is chatting with mine. His sister, Alexis, and brother, Xavier, are bickering—because siblings never grow up. I spot my brother, Rae, Jace, and Nova at a table hanging out. Nova sits on Jace’s lap and he sips at a beer. Cade and Rae sit side by side, Cade’s fingers brushing against her leg.
“So,” I hiss under my breath, “are we doing this now or waiting?”
“Uh …” Xander pauses, looking around at everybody, and I can finally sense his nervousness about this whole thing. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one freaking out. “I think we should do it now. Rip it off like a Band-Aid.”
I try not laugh and fail. “Did you just compare the revealing of our child to ripping off a Band-Aid?” I whisper so no one can hear me. Besides, they’re all so absorbed in their own thing they haven’t even noticed us.
“I’m nervous, give me a break,” he defends.
I smile, pleased that his feathers have finally been ruffled by this whole thing. He’s been so calm the last few weeks, taking the whole thing in stride while I’ve freaked out. It’s nice to know he’s not as impenetrable as he always appears to be.
“Hey, guys!” I finally call out.
“Oh, hi!” Xander’s mom, Sarah, cries. She hops up, hurrying over to us. “I’m so glad you guys came. I know you’re probably still busy with the move.” She hugs me.
“It hasn’t been too bad,” I say with a smile. “We finished everything within the first week. We have some more things to buy so the house isn’t so bare, but other than that it’s done.”
“Well, that’s great news. Your dad will be done grilling soon and then we’ll eat,” she says to Xander, and pulls him into a hug. “I’ve missed you.” She stands on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
“I’ve missed you, Mom.”
“Come, come.” She waves her hand “Get a drink and sit down.”
“Oh,” I say, holding out one of the bags. “Can we do gifts first?”
Sarah smiles at the bag. “That was sweet of you. You didn’t need to get me anything.”
“This is for you and Cooper.” She takes the bag from me.
“And this is for you, Lauren.” Xander holds the other bag out to my mom.
