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“You’re pregnant?” Abby asks her sister. Lexi’s eyes go wide, but she doesn’t say a word.
“It’s okay. We won’t say anything,” Jaime promises.
“I’m going to tell him when we get home,” Lexi whispers, a smile playing on her lips.
She’s pulled immediately into a hug, instigated by Payton. The oldest sister looks down at the youngest and says, “AJ’s pregnant too.”
Lexi’s eyes fly to her sister. “You are?”
AJ nods. “Just found out this morning.”
Lexi bursts into tears, her hormones clearly getting the best of her. “Five of us?” she whispers, glancing to all of her sisters.
“Five,” Payton confirms. “Just as God intended it to be.”
Realization seems to hit Lexi in that moment as she turns to the oldest. Without saying a word, she pulls her into a tight hug. The rest of the sisters follow suit.
“Okay, enough of the tears. We have dinner plans tonight down the coast,” Payton says, clearing her throat and wiping away any remaining moisture from her eyes.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Cindy asks.
The family had invited all of us to drive down the coast for dinner with them. My mom, Brian and Cindy, and Aunt Emma and Uncle Orval are all staying behind to watch all the kids, while all my cousins and their spouses are going to eat. Marissa and Rhenn and Jensen are going, Jensen’s son, Max, staying behind with my mom. Samuel’s on call this weekend and didn’t want to leave town, and I had already made plans with Latham. I’m sure he’d be all for dinner with my family, but my plan for the evening involves very few clothes. That’s not exactly conducive to dinner with the family.
The thought of getting Latham naked has me a little flush and squirming where I stand.
“I already have plans, but thank you,” I say, praying my cheeks don’t betray me.
“We’ll see you tomorrow though, right?” Jaime asks.
“I’ll be there,” I confirm. “Free’s coming too,” I add, nodding my head to my best friend.
“Great!”
“Well, as much as I hate to leave, we need to get back and get ready for dinner,” AJ says.
My cousins all talk over each other as they grab their bags and head toward the door. With quick hugs and waves, they head out the door and pile into the two vehicles parked right out front.
“Phew, that was exhausting,” Free says, flipping the open sign to closed.
“No kidding,” I confirm, heading back to the counter.
“But at least they bought a ton of stuff,” Free says as she makes her way toward one of the tables in slight disarray.
“That they did. Just leave all that until Monday. I’ll come in early and straighten it up,” I tell her, turning off the register and computer system.
“I won’t argue with you there.” Free comes back to the counter and helps with our end of business day ritual, turning off the lights and emptying the trash.
Before I knew it, I had everything closed down and was ready to head out. Latham wouldn’t arrive for a few hours, but I want to take a soothing bath and shave and moisturize every square inch of my body. And believe it or not, I’m a little worn out from the hour-long shopping visit with my family. I love them to death, but they’re definitely a lot to take in.
Waving goodbye to my best friend, I head toward my car, noticing Latham’s big truck parked down the alley, behind his hardware store. Three hours until he arrives. Three hours until I open the door, wearing that sexy negligée. Three hours until I get my hands on his amazing body.
I can’t wait.
