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“What did you say?” Savannah asked her sister when Kristina also continued to stare after Hale, her face a mixture of worry, anger, and what? Maybe fear?

“Oh, I don’t know. It’s all so crazy. I just told him I feel out of control sometimes, like I’m . . .” She shook her head and made a face. “He really pissed me off. I told him I thought I was losing my mind, and I don’t think he gave a shit. Or he didn’t believe me. Or both.” She perched on the stool at the opposite end of the bar from Savannah and watched her lift the plastic wrap from her linguine. Steam lifted upward.

“I believe this is really your dinner,” Savannah said.

“I don’t want it. Please. I can’t eat anything.”

“You look like you could use a good meal.”

“Hale tells me I’m skin and bones, but what does he know?”

“I’m looking at you, and I think he might be right.”

Kristina shook her head. “When this is all over, then I can eat. It’ll all be all right.”

“When what’s all over? The pregnancy?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Are you losing your mind?” Savannah asked, smiling to take the sting out of it.

“No, I just have to get rid of . . . some baggage that I’ve spent way too much time on.”

“What baggage?” Forking linguine into her mouth, Savannah had to force herself not to moan aloud. “Damn, but Gino’s is good. You really should have some.” She tried to push the plate her sister’s way, but Kristina was already on her feet, walking away.

“I don’t feel hunger . . . for food,” she said.

“Meaning?”

She shook her head. “It’s just been weird, that’s all.”

“Weird with Hale?”

“Just weird. Sometimes I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience, staring at myself from a distance, like I’m a stranger. Ever feel that way?”

“Umm . . .”

“Of course not. You’re too squared away, as ever. It’s just your wacko older sister who has a problem.”

“What’s the problem?” Savannah asked. “You and Hale are going to be parents soon, and I want everything to be as good as it can be when that day comes.”

“I’m fine, Savvy. For God’s sakes, a baby! I mean, we’ve all been just dying for this day to get here, right? I’m making too much of this. My whole life’s going to change soon, and it’s good, it’s really good, but I am freaking the hell out. I don’t mean to be selfish. I mean, look at you. You’re huge!”

“Thanks,” Savannah said dryly.

“All I’m saying is, it shouldn’t be about me right now. You’re the one who’s pregnant. For me. I should just be eager and excited, and I am. It’s just . . .” She pressed her fingers to her eyes and shook her head. “God, can you believe it? I sound like such a bitch.”

“You just sound kind of . . . rattled.” Savvy ate some more linguine and drank from her glass of water, sending Kristina a sidelong glance when her sister went quiet. After a moment, she asked, “Was there something more specific, or did you just want me to be here with you?”

“I guess I just wanted you to be here.”

“Okay.”

Savannah finished up her plate, slightly alarmed at how much her food intake had grown. Kristina seemed lost in thought, and when Savannah set her fork down, she swung herself to her feet and took her plate, absentmindedly rinsing it off before putting it in the dishwasher. Then she leaned against the counter and faced her sister.

“I asked Hale earlier if he believed in sorcery,” Kristina said. “You can imagine.”

“Were you serious?”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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