“Honey, I’m home,” she singsongs, making me laugh. Her dark hair is up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing jean cutoffs and a black tank top, looking like she’s ready to be put to work.
There’s a lot on my list today if this nursery is going to be ready in time for our Little Bear’s arrival.
“There’s a key in the fake flower bed to your left,” I tell her through the speaker. She picks up the key and lets herself in, joining me upstairs.
“Well, look at you, nesting already.”
I roll my eyes but take the coffee from her. “Don’t start.” She and this coffee is a godsend. I didn’t get to make my latte today since Jase and I didn’t get out of bed until nearly lunchtime. Only because I was expecting the delivery and needed to shower, and he had to go in for his double shift today.
“Too late,” she said, peeking at some sketches I made while waiting. “God, you’re so good. This is going to be perfect.”
“I hope so, but there’s still so much to do.”
She lets out a low gasp as her eyes roam the room, taking in the colors and patterns of the space. Her eyes shoot wide as she looks back at me. “I see a lot of blues,” she says questioningly. “Does that mean?”
I understand her question without her asking. She’s wondering if this means we’re having a boy. I told Jase I wanted it to be a surprise, so we won’t be finding out the gender tomorrow. The pregnancy was a surprise, and so has this thing that’s blossomed between us. It only makes sense that our Little Beat surprises us with their arrival.
Though I can’t say the color choice was random. I’ve had an inkling—more like a gut feeling—for a while. “We’re not finding out. We want to be surprised, but I can’t lie and say that I don’t picture a baby boy every time I think about it.”
“Oh, Moe. This is so exciting. I can't believe you're having a baby in less than three months.”
I can’t help but smile that spreads across my face. I’m in such a good mood today it’s almost alarming. And something tells me Raven thinks so too.
“You fucked him?” She asks ever so subtly.
“Excuse you?” I can’t help but laugh, only further proves her suspicion.
“You slept with Jase again.”
“I…I didn’t,” I stutter, not helping my case. Just then, my phone chimes with an incoming text message from Billie in our group chat. I open the message and realize that aside from Billie and Bailey, this one also includes Raven and Brynn.
Billie: You naughty little mamacita.
Brynn: Oh my God! I’m going to have so many nieces and nephews.
My eyes flick up to Raven, who smiles brightly like she’s not at all ashamed of snitching.
Billie: I’m waiting. Don’t make me drive over there.
Monroe: You’re all insane.
Billie: And you’re deflecting. Which means something we’re right.
Brynn: OMG, SHE’S NOT DENYING IT.
Raven: Screenshot this moment.
Bille: Monroe Bishop, if you don’t tell us everything right now!
The last time the girls and I spoke about Jase, I may have accidentally let it slip out that we hadn’t been intimate. They almost suspected something was up since we made everyonebelieve we’re together, but I was quick to make up a lie and tell them we wanted to really get to know each other again before we let our obvious connection cloud anything.
Raven: You girls should see the blush on her face right now.
Brynn: Did he kiss you, or did you kiss him?
Billie: Or did you jump his bones?
Bailey: Oh, God. Please don’t give us all the details.
