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An hour later, the seven of us are lying on heated loungers around the swimming pool at the Regency Spa in Hope Creek. As well as me, Paisley, Sophie, and Ash, Ivy, Tessa, and Bree are here, and other than the seven of us and an older couple, we pretty much have the place to ourselves.
“What time is the first treatment booked for, Ash?” Bree asks, turning sideways on her lounger.
“Eleven. You’re booked in for a manicure.”
“I can’t wait. I haven’t had my nails done since before Oliver was born.”
“How’s the little cutie doing?” Paisley asks.
“He’s teething again, so he’s grumpy. This spa day couldn’t have come soon enough. I haven’t slept well in weeks.” She looks across at Sophie and grimaces. “Sorry, Sophie. I probably shouldn’t be telling you how tired I am. You have all this to come.”
Sophie smiles. “I can’t wait.” She rests her hand lovingly on her swollen stomach. “Even for the sleepless nights.”
“It’s totally worth it.”
“Do you think you’ll have any more babies, Bree?” Paisley asks.
“Yeah, maybe. Not for a couple of years, though. What about you?” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Is there a reason for the quick wedding? Something you’re not telling us?”
Paisley laughs. “No. No reason other than I can’t wait to be his wife.”
“I can’t believe you asked her that,” Ivy says with a chuckle. “Her future mother-in-law is right there.”
Tessa, who’s lying next to Ash, has her head back and her eyes closed. She waves her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about me. I remember what it was like to be young and in love.”
“You’re still in love,” Ash says.
She opens her eyes and sits up. “Of course. I’m just old now.” She laughs.
“You’re all lying if you don’t admit to thinking the same as I did,” Bree says before turning to Paisley. “No offense.”
“I’m not offended. I probably would have thought the same if it was someone else.” Her cheeks flush pink and she smiles. “I hope it won’t be long until I’m pregnant, though. We’re trying,” she says quietly.
“Oh my God,” Ash exclaims. “I’m going to be an auntie again.”
“It hasn’t happened yet, Ash,” Paisley says with a chuckle.
“But it will. I’m so excited for you guys.”
“I’m going to pretend I haven’t heard, otherwise I might cry,” Tessa says, and Ash pulls her into a hug.
“Two grandbabies, Mom.”
She smiles and reaches across Ash for Paisley’s hand. “I’m so happy for you and Nash, Paisley. You deserve to be this happy.” Paisley smiles at Tessa and I can see she’s too choked up to speak.
“Me too, Pais,” I tell her. “It’s amazing news.”
Ever since I’ve known her, she’s always wanted a family. Miscarrying her asshole ex’s baby after she arrived in Hope Creek can’t have been easy, especially as she had no idea she was pregnant. She’d struggled for a while over feeling relieved to have miscarried, but no one would have wanted a child in her situation. This time will be so different. Nash adores her, and I know she feels the same way about him.
“Nobody tell Nash I’ve told you. I wasn’t supposed to say anything yet,” she says on a giggle.
“Your secret’s safe with us,” Sophie says. “It’ll be great for this little one to have a cousin so close in age.”
I’m so happy for my best friend. She deserves the world and more.
A couple of hours later after my full-body massage, I’m in the changing rooms when Sophie walks in, fresh from hermother-to-bepamper. She sits down on the bench next to me and smiles.
