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Cooper:Thank you. Are you going straight to Chloe’s or stopping at home first?
Carys:Just going to Chloe’s tonight. I promised Mom I’d come over for lunch tomorrow.
Cooper:See you soon, baby.
Carys:Be safe, Coop.
One of thethings that I’ve learned in the two weeks I’ve been living with Chloe is that nobody knocks on the door. Of course, that’s because she never locks it. And when she does, everyone just uses their key becauseeveryonehas a key to the townhouse. We’re leaving for the beach houses later today, so it could be just about anyone who’s stopping by now when I hear the front door slam shut behind them.
Not gonna lie. I hate this.
Cooper made me crazy about locking the doors, and now I can’t stand knowing anyone could walk in. “Hello...” Nattie’s voice bounces off the high ceiling downstairs.
“I’m upstairs, Nat. Come on up so I can make sure everything fits.” We’ve been working on a lingerie set for her honeymoon but had to make a few alterations when she tried it on earlier in the week.
“Hey.” She pops into what Chloe and I have turned into our workshop. Her shiny blonde hair bounces around her shoulders, and an absolutely glowing smile stretches across her face. “Is Chloe here?”
“Nope. She had to run out and pick something up. She should be back soon though.” I hand her the bra and panties first. “Now, try them on, and let’s make sure you bring Brady Ryan to his knees.”
My stepsister moves behind the screen we have set up in the corner of the room and changes into the white French-lace set, throwing her clothes over the top of the screen. “Carys, seriously. When you decide to get married, just elope.”
She steps out from behind the screen and moves in front of the antique cheval mirror we have set up in here. “Don’t get me wrong. Saturday is going to be amazing. But part of me wishes we’d just eloped and I was already his wife.”
I step up behind her and adjust the back of the bra slightly. “Nat, have your boobs gotten bigger?”
Her blue eyes, that look so much like her brother’s, stare back at me through the mirror, shocked. Fuck. Did I just tell the bride she gained weight?
I ignore her reaction and adjust the panties, noticing they’re not fitting right either.
“Carys... Can you keep a secret?”
Fuck no, I can’t. But I also can’t tell her that either, so I nod like a good stepsister and steel myself for whatever bomb she’s about to drop.
“I’m pregnant.”
Ice water coats my veins.Pregnant. My mind spins until I force myself to react. “Oh wow. That’s amazing, Nat. Congratulations.”
She turns around and hugs me. “It’s twins.”
I take a beat to collect myself, then force a smile to my face. “Twins. Oh my God. You’ve got to be thrilled.”
She smiles, torn. “We are. I just wish it had happened a year from now. I’m scared. It’s barely been two months since Brady was drafted to the Sentinels and we moved to Maryland. And seriously, the fact that Murphy was drafted there too... I mean, it’s fantastic to be there with him and Sabrina.” She tears up. “It’s just all so much.”
Nattie hugs me again, and I wonder how many pregnant friends I’m going to have to hug before I let go of feeling sorry for myself that this is something I’ll never get to experience?
* * *
Cooper:Driving down from Dover now. Should be at the house in less than two hours. Am I going to see you tonight?
Carys:Not sure. You guys are going to O’Malley’s Bar for Brady’s bachelor party. I’ll be at Dec & Belles’s for a little ladies’ night.
Cooper doesn’t answer after my text, and I wonder if this is the week he gives up.
This isn’t fair to him. I have no idea what I’m doing or if I’m ever going to be able to give him the relationship he wants. The one he deserves. I’m trying so hard to be the strong one and walk away, but I might need it to be him.
* * *
When I wondered earlier how many pregnant friends and family I’d have to hug before reality crashed down in a giant, heavy heap on top of my head, I got my answer tonight. Apparently, I’m going to have to hug all my pregnant sisters. Two sisters-in-law and a stepsister. Because that evening at Belle and Dec’s house, not only does Nattie announce that she’s pregnant, but we find out that Sabrina is too. And so is Annabelle, for the third time in four years. Even Bash’s fiancé, Lenny, is pregnant. There’s a damn baby boom happening in Kroydon Hills, and Chloe, Mom and I are the only ladies at our little party who haven’t been drinking that water.
