pillow at me. I caught it midair, and then just threw it back at her.
“Hey!” Rob said. “Careful, don’t hit Skye.”
“Hon, I don’t think a pillow can hurt me. Just saying.”
Rob was glaring at me.
“No more throwing. I promise.”
“My medical input is that a pillow really can’t hurt. But I’ve also learned you don’t get between an expecting dad and his wife.”
“I don’t foresee this changing once the baby is here,” Skye said, patting her belly.
Everyone laughed... except Tess. She glanced down at her cup, but I suspected she might be misty-eyed. That suspicion grew when she excused herself from the room, saying she wanted more ice cream. I followed her down the stairs, catching up with her at the kitchen island in the living room.
“Sis, what’s wrong?”
Tess rolled her shoulders, immediately flashing me a smile. But I knew her well enough to tell when she was genuinely happy or just putting on a good show. The troubling part was that Tess never actually put on a show for the family.
“Don’t pretend, Tess. Not with me. What’s wrong?”
She pressed her lips together, shrugging.
“I’ve always wanted to be a mom, you know.”
“Okay.” That was no surprise, but I couldn’t figure out why that would bring her in this state of melancholy.
“I always loved the idea of having a family, even when things were tough, even when I saw that it took a toll on Mom.”
“You’ll have a family,” I said firmly.
“Well... that’s debatable. I’m still single, and I’m not getting any younger.”
Oh, shit. I didn’t see this coming.
“Tess, you’re in your midthirties.”
“Yup.”
“How’s that not plenty of time?”
“Hmm... do you want a detailed rundown of the past few years of dating?”
I shook my head. Some things I didn’t want to know.
“I’m happy with life, you know. I don’t want to sound ungrateful. Skye and I have this unbelievable business, and I spend the whole day doing something I love, and I don’t take that for granted. I just...” She shook her head, putting more ice cream in her cup. For the first time in years, I was at a loss as to how to comfort my sister.
Usually, I was pretty good at it. Even when she’d been fretting about the store, worrying herself sick over the numbers, I’d managed to take her mind off it. Taking her out to dinner usually did the trick, and if that didn’t, then suffering through flicks like Gone With The Wind was always a winning strategy. But this was different, and if I was honest, I was completely out of my depth.
“Come on, let’s get back up to the group. Don’t want anyone getting suspicious.”
“Tess...”
“I’m fine, really.”
She wasn’t, but I wasn’t even sure if she needed comfort, or encouragement? I just knew that I hated seeing her like this, missing her usual spark and joy. Without any idea on how to improve her mood, I followed her back upstairs.
The dancing situation had escalated in our absence. Isabelle and Laney were dancing their asses off to some crap music. Rob was still on his chair, watching Skye like a hawk, as if thinking she might get ideas if she saw too much movement. Tess immediately joined in on the dance party.
We ended up spending half the day at Skye’s house. Mom and Mick had come too. Mom had met Laney when Skye was in the hospital, but now I got to introduce them properly.
“Thank you so much for taking such good care of Skye. And knocking some sense into Cole.”
“My pleasure,” Laney said, smiling nervously.
“Are you staying for dinner too?” Mom asked.
“No, the crowd’s too big. I think it’s too much excitement for Skye,” I explained.
“You’re right,” Mom said. “I didn’t think about that. I’m going to ask Rob what’s the best thing to do.”
Ever since Skye got pregnant, Mom’s been fussing about her, even more so after she was ordered to bed rest. Rob agreed that there was no way we could all have dinner in their bedroom, so only Mom and Mick would stay. Laney and I were the first to leave.
“I had so much fun,” Laney said as we walked to the station. Skye lived in a suburb, and the pace was so different from Manhattan. I wasn’t used to the quiet and watching people just leisurely stroll on the streets. I loved the energy of the inner city, the speed and frantic pace. “The girls are a trip. I mean, Isabelle told me that a few times, but still.”