Spiked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #6) - Toni Aleo Page 0,84
dark look. “Nope, I was a fourth damn thought! It went Amelia, Carter, and Hannah before you remembered me.”
I laugh as I hug him tightly. “I’ll make it up to you.”
He scoffs. “Don’t know how.”
“Free babysitting when I come visit.”
He beams. “Done.”
We share a smile, but then I notice how white Posey is. My stomach aches with fear as I go to her, pressing my hands to her face but feeling no fever. “You look like death.”
She forces a smile. “Thanks, friend.”
“Are you okay?”
She shrugs. “No and yes. I feel a bit better, but I can’t seem to get back to me. I’m exhausted. I’m going to have to go back to the doctor after this road trip.”
“Maybe you should skip it?”
She shakes her head. “No, it’s important, and my mom and Shelli are going. I can’t skip.”
I want to yell at her, but she’s a grown woman. It isn’t like I’m able to either because, out of nowhere, Claire Sinclair enters the room.
My jaw drops as I shriek, “What the hell! When did you come in?”
My cousin embraces me, and I almost feel like crying when her overextended belly presses into mine. I have known this woman for almost my whole life, and I’ve been a witness to her struggles to get pregnant. For years, they tried and tried, but it always ended in a failed pregnancy. It broke her and Jude, and it killed us all each time. We wanted so much for them to have a baby, and it brought back some nasty memories for my family. There were nights I heard my mom on the phone with Claire, crying, and it still breaks my heart. I couldn’t imagine losing a baby, but multiple times? That’s awful. But this baby, it stuck. It’s crazy since they just adopted the most precious baby boy, Harrison. Though, in a way, it’s a truly perfect love story for her and Jude.
I squeeze her hard as she kisses my cheek. “Surprise!”
I laugh as I beam at her. “So, tell me what it is.”
She shakes her head. “We don’t know. It’s going to be a surprise, just as this pregnancy has been.”
My heart soars. “Oh, Claire, that’s beautiful.”
She nods. “I know. I’m so thrilled. It’s going to be hell to push this sucker out, but I can’t wait.”
“I bet! I am so excited for you.”
We share a huge smile and then embrace once more before Shelli is clapping her hands. “Okay, we have a plane to catch tonight, and I have to pack. Let’s get started.”
I glare at her. “Um, excuse you. Family moment.”
Shelli glares back. “She’s here until tomorrow. Surprise!” she says, waving her hands, and I giggle as I wrap my arms around Shelli’s neck.
“Aw, you do love me!” I exclaim since I know she’s aware I miss Claire all the time.
“A little bit,” she jokes, and then Claire walks to the middle of the room.
She cups the bottom of her belly and asks, “Okay, how are we pairing up?”
Shelli turns and looks at us. I glance over to Asher, and his lips turn up at the side before he raises his phone. Within seconds, my phone sounds.
Asher: I want to pair up with you.
Before I can say I want that too, Shelli announces, “Well, Posey and Asher are a given since they are best man and maid of honor. But I guess, Amelia and Wes—”
“Nope,” Chandler says, and everyone looks over at him.
Amelia gawks at him as she says, “Will you hush?”
“No, you’re with Boon. He’s a nice guy.”
Wes feigns hurt. “That’s not fair. I’m nice.”
Chandler shakes his head. “No, you’re single, and my wife is hot.”
“Yes. Your wife!” Amelia stresses. “Shit, you knocked me up again. Am I really in the position to be looking for someone else?”
It’s obvious Amelia didn’t mean to say that, and she slaps her hands over her mouth.
Chandler scoffs as he shakes his head. “Like I said, you can dance with Boon.”
Shelli strikes her hips. “Amelia! You’re pregnant?”
She nods tentatively. “Yes?”
Shelli throws up her hands. “Great, now you’ll be super big at my wedding.”
Posey rolls her eyes as she hugs Amelia. “I’m so happy for you, even if you being pregnant at Bridezilla’s wedding makes her stabby.”
Everyone laughs, but then we’re all congratulating Chandler and Amelia. It’s such a ruckus as always. And soon, as we always do, Asher and I gravitate to each other. Our arms are touching, and I want so much to hold his hand. Or for him to hold