"They cornered me at breakfast Saturday. I told them about the pregnancy and they were relieved because they thought I had cancer."
Julie starts laughing. Actually laughing, right there in the baby section. "Your brothers thought you had CANCER?"
"The entire family did. Brennen hyperventilated."
"Of course he did." She's wiping tears now. "Oh god, Emma. Only you would have your family think you're dying when you're actually pregnant."
"It wasn't intentional!"
"How far along?"
"Eight weeks."
"And you're feeling okay?"
"Nauseous. Tired. But okay."
"Hence the merger with Preston?"
"When did you first hear about that?"
"Emma, this is Pelican Point. Everyone's heard about it by now. Preston's been bragging to anyone who'll listen that he convinced you to join them."
"Great."
"It's smart timing." Julie picks up the "Daddy's Drinking Buddy" onesie. "I'm buying this for you."
"It's inappropriate."
"It's perfect. Miles needs it."
We wander through the baby section, Julie asking questions about due dates and doctors and whether I'm hoping for a boy or girl. It feels good to talk about it. To not be terrified for once.
"March," I tell her. "Early March."
"Are you going to find out the gender?"
"I don't know. Haven't gotten that far yet."
"You need to have a baby shower."
"Julie—"
"I'm planning it. Don't argue. Sophie and I will handle everything."
"That's terrifying."
"It'll be tasteful. Mostly." She grabs a tiny pair of baby shoes. "Look at these. They're smaller than my hand."
I look at the shoes—impossibly small, soft yellow leather. They're perfect.
"I'm buying these too," Julie declares.
"You don't have to?—"
"I'm your best friend and I just found out you're pregnant in a Target baby section. I'm buying the shoes. And probably a lot of other things." She's already loading up her cart.
"This is too much."
