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The gathering was nice. Ryan remembered what it had been like to be the host at Lisa’s cottage, manning the grill, playing bartender, and how he complained constantly about it. A rush of regret went through his body. This wasn’t much different, only he had to keep reminding himself that it was Betsy, not Lisa, who lived there with him.
Betsy was a take-charge hostess. Within minutes of walking through the door, guests had a drink in their hand, children were squired off with a nanny, and Ryan was free to talk to his friends. If he had reason to ask her a question, he always knew where to find her, either washing dishes at the kitchen sink or arranging more food in the dining room.
“Why don’t you come out and schmooze? I feel like I need to hire a maid so you can relax.”
“Ryan, these people are your friends, not mine. Go! I’m happy being the facilitator.”
“That sounds like a nursing term,” he said, grimacing.
“It could be. Go. You’re making me nervous.”
Kassandra finally arrived and sought out Betsy.
“You and I are the only newbies,” Kassandra said. “How’s it feel?”
“I hate to lump you into the skinny crowd, but if the shoe fits…”
“You’re gorgeous, Betsy. And soon I’ll be out to here.” She put her hands out two feet in front of her belly.
“You know Lisa’s pregnant, right?”
“No way.”
“She is. She finally told everyone last week, only because I asked her if she was going to have a kid when I saw her belly.”
Glancing over the crowd, Kassandra spotted Lisa with a glass of water, laughing with Sandra and Andy. Kassandra lowered her gaze to Lisa’s belly, and there it was.
“I can’t believe I didn’t see it before,” Kassandra muttered.
“She said she was trying to hide it to give Ryan time to get his life together.”
“Wow, so it’s Ryan’s!”
Betsy gave Kassandra a sideways glance.“Yep. I’m surprised she didn’t copy you on the text she sent all the others.”
“Nope, not a word, and no one said anything either. I guess I’m still an outsider.”
“I am too.”
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Being an outsider?”
Kassandra nodded, hoping for an ally.
“Surprisingly, no. Everyone is so nice. And now we have a new baby to look forward to.” Betsy looked down at Kassandra’s flat belly. “Two new babies.”
“I’ll have to remember that. Lisa and I will have them to bond over. Also, my obstetrician is her ex-husband, Steve Lafferty.”
“No way!”
Sandra had just arrived and walked over to Kassandra. “Tony’s not coming?”
“I haven’t talked to him in a while. Since Thanksgiving. I don’t think we’ll be talking again until I deliver.”
“I’m so sorry. As far as I know, Andy hasn’t talked to him either. It doesn’t seem right.”
Andy came over to them. “Kassandra, I’m so sorry about Thanksgiving.”
