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Grandma drops the platter of pancakes on the table right next to the tub of margarine and the real maple syrup. “Bon appetite, my loves. Eat up, I made enough for seconds!”
I think that the only thing Wes and I might agree on is that neither of us could ever want seconds, but we share a look that says we’ll both eat however many rounds we have to, because we love our grandma more than anyone else in the world. Yeah. That’s definitely the only thing we agree on.
CHAPTER 4
Leandra
“Oh my gosh, these new pieces are perfect. I’m sure they’ll all be gone by the end of the week, if not sooner, and it’s already Tuesday.” I can’t stop gushing over my sister-in-law’s newest jewelry creations.
Luna is endlessly creative and for the past two and a half years, she’d been putting her jewelry in my boutique. I’d known as soon as I saw the pieces she was creating that they would be an instant hit. I get asked all the time, as in constantly, as in seriously constantly when the new pieces are going to be in, even though everyone knows that Luna restocks her display at the beginning of the month.
“You make me feel so good about myself,” Luna says easily and laughs. “My jewelry sells better in your store than it does in mine.”
I wave off the praise. “Your jewelry sells outfits all the time. I often suggest pairings, either with the jewelry or with the clothing. It’s the perfect symbiotic relationship.”
Luna puts her hand on her stomach. “Don’t talk science words first thing in the morning. That makes me think of my high school lab class and how I’d have to smell the beakers with all their chemicals all morning. I can still bring back the smells, and since all smells are just off to me lately…”
“Is it that bad?”
“It’s terrible. But I’m not complaining. We’ve been trying for a year and I thought it wasn’t going to happen, and then it did. I guess it’s like everyone says. How when you’re not expecting it, it happens. Milo was a shock. I didn’t see that coming at all. This one, though, I guess we were trying too hard. When I basically gave up and admitted that it might not happen, that’s when it did. I know that being barfy in the morning and completely nauseated the rest of the time is a good sign. Milo is freaking excited to be a big brother. He’s only known for the past two weeks, since we wanted to get past the three-month mark before we told anyone, even him, but he’s already begging me to take him shopping to pick out clothes and supplies and everything.”
“That’s super cute.” I love my nephew. He’s the sweetest kid who ever existed. He’ll be the best big brother ever. He’s a thoughtful, compassionate, kind, caring person, just like his dad.
“I have to say that growing up with two older brothers, and two cousins who also acted like older brothers, that it was a good thing, but also the most frustrating thing. I think it would be better if the baby was a boy. The poor girl will have to deal with getting all her dates cancelled and being pranked unmercifully. She’ll have to go through her fair share of farts and sharts and other nasty things that brothers like to plague sisters with.”
Luna puts her hand on her flat stomach. She’s wearing a black jumper and I’ve never seen anyone rock a jumper like she does. She looks casual and fabulous all at once, and wearing her jewelry- a ring, two bracelets (one of them her cursed bracelet), and a double stranded necklace that hangs down between her breasts, she’s stunning.
“I agree, four is too many, but one might be okay. And Milo is like Toren. He’s too quiet and nice and introspective and broody to think about teasing and farting and ruining his little sister’s life.”
“That’s true.” I look up sharply from Luna’s designs which she’s set on the counter when the bell above the boutique’s front door jangles.
Jillian and Alanna are in the back steaming the new order we just got in and unpacked. I agreed to take the front because steaming isn’t something that I love. I’ll do it if it needs to be done, but I’d rather happily hold down the ship and deal with even the grouchiest of customers. I’ll take steamy attitudes over steamy machines any day. I guess I have a pretty thick skin, thanks to my already stated older male family members.
“Oh my gosh!” Luna exclaims when she notes the flower delivery lady coming towards us. I’m assuming she’s a flower delivery lady because she’s holding a bouquet of flowers wrapped up with paper and clear wrap. There’s a parcel attached, which she sets down on the counter.
