Bunny with congratulatory messages from the Dark Knights and offers to help them move Chloe’s things next weekend. She and Justin took Sampson for a nice long walk, and though Shadow wasn’t home yet, Chloe already felt the unity of family.
When she drove to meet the girls for her birthday lunch, she once again gushed about her birthday and the proposal to Serena via Bluetooth. “I can’t stop looking at my ring. Did I tell you Justin designed it and his friend Sterling made it for him?”
“Four times. Not that I’m counting or anything.”
“I’m sorry. I’m just so excited! Serena, we’re going to have two dogs who really need us, and I’m getting married!” She yelled that last part, and they both cheered. “I can’t wait to tell all the girls.”
“Gee, I couldn’t tell,” Serena teased. “Oh, shoot! I forgot to tell you that Desiree can’t make it. She’s due next week and really uncomfortable, so I thought we’d stop by after lunch, before we hit the beach.”
“Poor thing. Wait! Change of plans! Let’s meet at Summer House for lunch. We’ll order pizza. Desiree shouldn’t miss out just because she’s pregnant. Vi and Andre are supposed to come home sometime this morning. It would be great to see them, too.”
“I’m sure Des is resting,” Serena said.
“No way. She’s baking or something—you know how she is. Even if she is resting, she won’t mind if we come over.” Chloe made a U-turn and said, “I’m going there. I’ll call Tegan and Harper and let them know. Will you call Daph and Emery?”
“Wait! We can’t do that,” Serena insisted. “Desiree and Rick might be going at it. You know how she is with all those hormones running wild.”
“That’s doubtful with Vi and Andre coming home. She’s way too modest to risk being caught. What is up with you, anyway?”
“We have plans to meet at the restaurant, Chloe. You can’t change our plans.”
“Sure I can. It’s my birthday. What’s wrong? Can’t keep up with your spontaneous sister?”
“It’s not that! It’s….”
“It’s nothing! I’m going to call Tegan. Meet you there!” She ended the call and quickly got in touch with Tegan and Harper. She was bursting at the seams to tell them her news, but she waited, wanting to tell them in person.
She rolled down her windows and cranked the radio, singing to every song that came on. When she got to Summer House, she stepped from her car feeling like she was walking on air and hurried across the lawn. Serena flew into the driveway as Chloe opened the kitchen door. She waved to Serena and headed inside. The sweet aroma of fresh-baked goods tickled her senses. She’d been right about Desiree baking. The counters were covered with cooling racks full of cookies, cupcakes, and baking paraphernalia. Cosmos scampered into the kitchen, going paws-up on Chloe’s leg. She scooped up the fluffy pup and he licked her face. “Hey, there. Where’s your mama?”
Cosmos wiggled out of her hands and darted down the hall, barking.
She followed him, calling out, “Des?” She glanced up the stairs, hoping Serena had been wrong and Desiree and Rick weren’t going at it. She peered into the dining room and said, “Desiree?” She heard something in the living room, and as she crossed the hall, she heard the kitchen door open.
“Chloe?” Serena hollered.
“In the living room,” Chloe called out.
Cosmos was barking and running around the couch. Serena ran into the room and said, “There you are. We should go.” She grabbed Chloe’s hand, dragging her toward the hallway.
“Why? Desiree is probably in the office or out back relaxing,” Chloe said over Cosmos’s barks.
“Come on. We shouldn’t be in here.” Serena tugged her toward the hall again.
Chloe yanked her hand free. “What is wrong with you?”
Cosmos stood between the edge of the couch and the wall, growling.
“And what is wrong with him? Come on, Cosmos,” Chloe coaxed as she walked toward him, but he lunged behind the couch in a flurry of barks and growls. “Cosmos!” Chloe ran around the couch just as a sea of red balloons rose to the ceiling, sending Cosmos into a leaping, barking frenzy. And there behind the couch sat Tank, Drake, and Ginger.
Ginger wiggled her fingers. “Hi, sugar.”
For a second Chloe thought she was in the wrong house, and her jumbled mind couldn’t make sense of seeing those three people sitting on the floor behind Desiree’s couch.
As Tank, Drake, and Ginger pushed to their feet, Cosmos barked furiously.