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“Something like that!” When I open the back gate, I can see the party is in full swing. Mason is in the pool with Hope and Jacob, while Josh is on the patio overseeing the barbecue. At the seating area, Libby, Quinn, and Savannah are cooing over baby Annie, who lies in Libby’s arms. Zara’s sitting with them, but her eyes are on the pool. Glancing over to where she’s looking, I wonder if it’s Mason who’s caught her eye, or Jacob.
“Well, finally!” Savannah shouts as she gets up and makes her way across the yard to us. “We’ve had to entertain Zara.” Her voice has lowered to a whisper, and she pulls a face. “Sorry, Jack. No offense,” she says sheepishly.
He shrugs. “None taken.”
“Daddy!” Jacob shouts from the pool. Jack squeezes my hand before dropping it and heading to the pool.
“Sorry we’re late.”
“That’s okay. I was only joking, Aria.” She links her arm with mine and leads me over to where Lib, Quinn, and Zara are sitting.
“Hi, Aria,” Zara says with a smile as she gets up and heads over to Jack. I sigh as I watch her go.
“It must be hard having her here,” Quinn says as she gets up and pulls me in for a hug. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay.”
“Really?” Savannah asks.
I shrug half-heartedly. “What choice do I have?”
“She’s been so nice this week,” Libby says. “She’s like a different person. I don’t trust her.”
“Neither do I,” Savannah agrees, and we all turn to look at her sitting on the edge of the pool, talking to Jack.
Needing to change the subject, I tear my eyes away and turn to Quinn. “You look amazing, Quinn.” And she really does. She’s wearing a pale pink bikini, her small but perfect baby bump on display.
“Thanks. I’m finally past the feeling-like-shit stage, so I’m making the most of it.”
“I hear you’re craving sparkling water?”
She drops her head in her hands and groans. “I told Brody he didn’t have to go into town. I feel bad he’s missing the party.”
“We just saw him. I have some at home. He’s not going into town.”
“Thank you, Aria.”
“No problem.” I wave off her thanks and move toward Libby and Annie.
“How are you feeling, Lib?” I can’t help but smile as I look at Libby. She looks so happy. Her eyes sparkle, even though she looks exhausted.
“I’m really good. Knackered and sore, but good. This one likes to feed every hour, but I’m loving it.” My eyes drop to Annie, who is sleeping peacefully in her arms. A wave of longing rushes through me. I want what Lib has. “Do you want to hold her?” I nod and sit down. She passes me Annie and I hold her close. She stirs briefly before going back to sleep.
“Are you okay with her while I use the bathroom?”
“Sure. We’re all good here, aren’t we, baby girl?” I coo to Annie.
“Thanks.” She kisses Annie on the head before heading inside.
“Drink, Aria?” Sav asks, and I nod.
“God, yes! Wine, please, and make it large!”
“Coming right up.”
My eyes drift over to the pool. Jack and Zara are sitting on the edge, their legs dangling in the water. Zara’s eyes meet mine briefly before she looks away and places her hand on Jack’s bare thigh. She whispers something in his ear, and he laughs. Anger bubbles up inside me, and I know for sure now her speech when she first arrived was bullshit.
“Fuck!” Quinn exclaims from the side of me. “I saw that. What does she think she’s doing?”
