I glance up and see Sam and Dakota talking to the people a few tables away from us. We all promise to dial back our excited noises.
“How far along are you?” I ask.
“Just hit fourteen weeks,” Maddy says, beaming.
“How are you feeling?” Abby asks.
“Pretty good overall. I was a little sick during the first trimester. The smell of chicken grossed me out. How random.”
Abby waves a hand. “Oh my gosh, when I was pregnant with Emma, the smell of fish made me vomit for, like, three months. I was so glad when that finally stopped.”
“Are you having any fun cravings?” Maya asks.
“Pickles dipped in peanut butter,” Madeline says with a chuckle. “And Ryker’s potato soup. He’s been making huge batches for me non-stop.”
Ryker kisses her cheek and rests his massive hand on her stomach. “Anything for you. And anything to help our little nugget grow.”
He looks at her with his heart in his eyes. I grin so hard, my cheeks ache. “That’s amazing, you guys. We’re so, so happy for you.”
“Happy for what?” Dakota says as she and Sam walk up to our table.
“Oh, um…” I look at Dakota and smile. “Happy for you and Sam. You look stunning, by the way.”
I gesture to the slinky, sparkly, mermaid-style gown she’s wearing. Her long, dark hair is styled in soft, Hollywood glam waves and swept over one shoulder. She really does look gorgeous.
“So very stunning,” Sam says to her, kissing her cheek. Dakota beams.
I flash a relieved look at Madeline.
“Wait, why do you keep looking at Madeline?” Dakota asks me.
I hesitate as I try to scramble for a convincing lie, but Madeline just sighs and smiles at Dakota. “I’m pregnant.”
Dakota’s jaw drops. She leans down and hugs her.
“Oh my god! You guys! Yay! Congratulations!” Dakota says as she squeezes her. She turns and hugs Ryker too.
“Thanks. Sorry, we didn’t mean to steal your thunder on your big day,” Ryker says.
Dakota steps back and playfully smacks his shoulder. “You’re not. I’m so happy you told us.”
Sam hugs them and tells them congrats too. A minute later, Sam and Dakota leave to cut their cake. We all watch as Sam sweetly feeds Dakota a bite and kisses her lips.
“He looks so in love,” I say.
Camden grins at me. “I looked at you like that on our wedding day.”
I chuckle. “But we weren’t in love yet.”
“Part of me has always been in love with you, Ellie girl.”
He drops a kiss on my shoulder, and I swoon.
After we all have some cake, we head onto the dance floor. In the middle of dancing, Ryker pulls his phone out of his pocket. He frowns at the screen.
“What’s wrong?” Madeline asks.
“My mom just texted about my idiot brother.”
