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The table fell silent at that. I opened my mouth to say something, then quickly shut it.
“You knew!” Sutton said in an accusing tone. “Mom!”
She shrugged. “I try to stay out of my kids’ business. Now, two things. Stop screaming. And the second, never utter the word ‘Braxlee’ again. That sounds creepy.”
Turning to walk away, she stopped and looked back at Addie. “How was your breakfast taco this morning, honey?”
Addie’s face went blank as Palmer whispered, “How does she know everything?”
“Good morning, ladies.” Brax walked up, grabbed a chair, and swung it around to sit at the end of the booth. When he looked at me, he winked. My mind instantly went back to my office. His truck. My bedroom…and then again this morning in the shower. According to Brax, we were making up for lost time, which was perfectly fine with me. I was a bit sore, though. Not that I would tell him that.
“Harlee Tilson, did you just blush?” Sutton asked.
“She totally did,” Palmer added.
I shot them the finger and laughed.
“My, oh my, what could you have been thinking of?” Addie added.
I decided to give them a taste of their own medicine. “Probably the amazing shower I had this morning.”
Brax laughed while the three of them all screwed up their faces in disgust.
“Gross. I did not need that visual.” Addie put her hand to her mouth and pretended to gag.
“You were the one who asked, Addie,” I said.
“Touché,” she mumbled.
Palmer reached for her brother’s hand. “We just found out that it’s true! I’m so happy for you both. But how did Ms. Seaside get it confirmed? None of us even knew.”
Brax shrugged. “Maybe someone saw me going into Harlee’s house last night and not leaving until this morning.”
Addie waved her hand in front of her like a fan. “Man, when you two decide to get together, you don’t waste any time.”
Everyone laughed.
Sutton reached across the table for my hand. “Well, I, for one, am so happy. Two of my most favorite people have found happiness with each other, and that makes me…it makes me…”
“Oh God, here we go,” Palmer muttered.
Sutton started to cry.
“Sutton?” I put my hand over hers. “What’s wrong?”
Sniffles came from my right, and I turned to see that Addie was crying too.
“Addie?” I asked.
“What’s happening?” Brax looked from sister to sister.
Palmer leaned back and sighed. “I’m never getting pregnant. It makes your hormones too crazy. They both cry at the drop of a hat, I swear.”
Brax grabbed some napkins and handed them to his two sisters. “Seriously, why are you both crying? What’s wrong?”
Sutton waved her hand frantically in front of her as she attempted to get her emotions in check, while Addie blew her nose.
“It’s okay, Brax. These are happy tears,” Addie said before breaking into a full sobbing fit.
Brax and I looked at each other with stunned expressions.
“Put me down for no babies, please.” Palmer leaned forward and waved Ruby over. “Ruby, do we have champagne?”
Ruby made her way over and started to rub Addie’s back. “I don’t think so, why?”
“A mimosa sounds really good about now, hold the OJ.”
Ruby chuckled. “Should I get your mother?”
Our five voices all said, “No!” at the same time.
Holding up her hands, Ruby took a few steps back. “Sorry it took me so long to get over here. Are you all ready for your drinks and breakfast?”
“I ate already,” I said.
“Nothing for me,” Sutton said, suddenly perfectly fine and with a smile on her face. “Wait. Can you bring me a pickle and some mayo?”
Ruby nodded as if the request wasn’t the grossest thing ever ordered.
Palmer gagged. “I’ll just have a coffee.”
“Same for me,” Brax said.
“Really, Sutton? A pickle and mayo?” Addie asked.
“Yep. It’s what the baby wants.”
Addie shuddered. “I’m so glad I haven’t gotten any weird cravings.”
“Excuse me.” I turned to face her. “Who texted me two weeks ago at midnight and asked if I could please go buy rocky road ice cream and black beans because Gannon was working. THEN you proceeded to mix them together and eat it, remember?”
Palmer practically turned green. “Yep. Nope. I think I’ll stick with my future stepson, Charlie.”
Addie put her hands on her stomach and giggled. “Trust me, Palmer. Being pregnant is the most amazing thing you’ll ever experience.”
Palmer raised a brow. “Even better than making said baby?”
Brax cleared his throat. “This conversation is taking a turn in the wrong direction with your brother sitting here.”
“No, nothing is better than that,” Addie stated.
Sighing, Brax said, “So, my dinner last week with Kelsey Roberts. No way she’s Ms. Seaside.”
All eyes turned to Brax.
“I could have told you that,” Palmer said. “She isn’t on Kimberly’s level of never-could-have-pulled-it-off, but she’s a close second.”
“Who else is on your list?” Addie asked.
Before either of us could answer, Barbara and Keegan appeared. “Kids, we need to have a family meeting. Now, please.”
