morning and blueberry muffins in the oven, and I’d been going out of my mind watching the clock until that door had opened.
“What smells so good?” Rae asked when she and her sister, Emberly, stepped into the kitchen.
“Muffins,” I said, offering a smile when Emberly passed me a coffee from her coffee shop and bar: Brewed. “Thank you.”
“Considering what’s about to go down, I really would’ve preferred something a little harder. But this one doesn’t drink,” she said, pointing to Rae, “and most importantly . . .” She rubbed at her still-flat belly as Rae echoed, “Yes, most importantly.”
I pressed my trembling lips together and forced a tight nod. “How far along are y’all?”
“Ten weeks,” Rae said with a soft smile.
“Fourteen,” Emberly added as she plopped into a chair at the large table.
I made some sound of acknowledgment and smiled.
Tried to.
“That’s so exciting. I can’t believe those boys are gonna be dads. And, Emberly . . .” I gestured to her. “God, I met you the same day I met those boys. I can’t believe you’re gonna be a mom.”
She did an excited little dance before sitting back in the chair and grabbing her drink. “I’m mad at this one though,” she said, using the cup to gesture to where Rae had sat.
Rae just continued smiling.
“This brat has felt amazing since day one, and I still throw up at random,” Emberly continued.
“It’s my gift for being abandoned by our mom,” Rae said, all affectionate teasing.
A sharp laugh burst from Emberly’s chest before her face crumpled and tears started falling down her cheeks.
“Oh God,” Rae said, hurrying out of her seat and over to the one next to Emberly. “It was a joke.”
“I know.” Emberly’s head bounced jerkily before shaking fiercely. “But I think about it, like, all the time now. How could she have done that? I don’t—I just don’t get it.” Gesturing to her stomach with both hands, she let out a soft cry and said, “All I’ve seen is a squishy, fuzzy bear and heard a heartbeat, and I can’t imagine ever being able to do what she did. Who leaves their child?”
“She was trying to save herself and you,” Rae said softly as a tear slipped down her own cheek.
“Oh, shut up,” Emberly mumbled, her shoulders jerking with her hitched breaths as she grabbed Rae’s hand. “You’re just being nice. I already know you don’t like her.”
“But I love you.”
“Love you too.” Emberly wiped at her cheeks with her free hand and focused on me. “Sorry, that’s not why—great, we already made Savannah cry.”
A startled breath fled from me when I realized she was right. I brushed away the tear that was there, standing and muttering, “Hormones,” when the timer sounded.
When I finished pulling the muffins out of the oven, the girls were there. Standing directly beside me. Cheeks still wet but looking at me with a mixture of surprise and expectation.
I jolted back at their unexpected nearness and hurried to put the muffin tin on the counter. “Hi.”
Emberly’s head tilted, brow lifting slightly. “Yeah, hi. How are you?”
“Um . . .”
“How are you feeling?”
I looked between the two of them, not knowing what to say when my world was falling apart, and they were already well aware—at least, they knew most of it. Not the recent parts.
“I wouldn’t think that’s something I really need to answer,” I finally said.
Something like a laugh left Rae. “Maybe not before that little comment of yours.”
I thought back to what I’d last said, confusion weaving through me. “What comment?”
“That’s adorable,” Emberly said as a wry grin crossed her face. “You know, this really is going to be a tough conversation. I’ll make you a drink.”
“You brought me a drink. And I don’t think we need to have whatever conversation you’re expecting,” I added when she started around the island, heading right for where we kept the liquor.
She lifted a shoulder but didn’t stop, grabbing a barstool on the way to stand on. “I brought you coffee. Would you like it with a kick?”
“No thanks.”
“Mimosa?” she asked, then looked to Rae. “It’s still early enough for mimosas, right?”
“Why not?” Rae said with a mischievous grin as she leaned on the counter, searching my face like she was trying to read me.
“I’m really fine, and I—” I pressed a hand to my chest before gesturing to them. “I love y’all, I really do. But this isn’t a great time.”
“The kids and Beau aren’t here,” Emberly said as she grabbed my vodka.
“Emberly, I’m