Holly pokes Alex’s arm. “Now that you’ve gotten the very brief details of our private love life, come help me make pancakes, Alex. We can chat more once you’ve fed your wife.”
Reina winces and her nose scrunches. “Actually, I’m going to pass on pancakes this morning.”
I eye her suspiciously. Reina never passes up on breakfast. She gets the worst cases of hanger I’ve ever seen. I look at Alex, who gazes down at her with an adoring expression. She looks up at him, her lips quirked as if they’re sharing a secret between them.
Wait a minute.
A sneaking suspicion runs through my mind. But I’m a man, and there isno wayI’m voicing my question first.
Holly gasps as if catching onto my thoughts. “Are you pregnant?” she squeals.
Thank goodness for wives who can ask the awkward questions.
Alex and Reina smile, a glow in their faces as they look at each other with love. Alex gives a subtle nod to Reina. I let go of Holly, anticipating the estrogen surge about to happen. Reina and Holly grab each other’s hands and Reina squeals. “Yes!”
Next thing I know, my eardrums are ringing from the happy screams coming from the two women embracing and bouncing in front of us.
I scoot around the screaming ladies and embrace Alex. “Congratulations, man. You’re going to make a great dad.”
He shrugs, but even the insecurity in his eyes can’t wipe the smile off his face. “We’ll see. I have a lot to learn. Mainly, what I should do as a dad, seeing as I’ve figured out whatnotto do. Now it’s just a matter of beingtutored by the good men around me.”
That Alex can acknowledge that he needs to and wants to learn how to be a good dad shows me how much he’s grown since he first came to Bolt as a stuck-up celebrity. I’m so proud of how far he’s come.
“You’ll have plenty of help. I imagine Momma T is overjoyed about the news?”
Alex winces. “We haven’t exactly told anyone yet. Reina is still really early in the first trimester. We just found out right after your wedding and we haven’t been back to Bolt since. We wanted to tell her parents in person.”
My jaw drops. “Holly and I are the first ones to know?”
Alex’s smile is wide. “Yep. Welcome to the family, brother. You’re going to be an uncle.”
It hits me in a way it hasn’t before. I’m Alex’s family now too. We’re not just best friends, we’re brothers. Reina is officially my sister, which is perfect because she’s always felt like one.
Is this how Holly felt when we went to visit my family? This happiness and completeness knowing that my family is growing, in more ways than one?
If so, I think I can understand a bit more of why she wants to move to Bolt. This connection feels special.
Our wives break apart and wipe their eyes. Reina turns to me and I pull her into my arms as Holly hugs her brother. “Congrats, little sister. You’re going to make a fantastic mom.”
Reina squeezes me tight. “Thanks, bro. Now we just have to convince you and Holly to live in Bolt.”
I look over at Holly, who meets my eyes from her hug with Alex. Her smile grows into a smirk as she pulls out of her brother’s embrace. “Speaking of. We’re moving to Bolt as soon as we can.”
Alex’s jaw drops before he narrows his eyes at his sister. “Does this have anything to do with the press sharing rumors of you quitting your job, and throwing a fit at Rodney’s party last night?”
Holly straightens, folding her arms and popping out her hip. “Rodney, who’s been manipulating me since I met him? Rodney, who happens to be our father’s best friend? Yeah, I fired him as my mentor, and I told him I’m done playing games and working in this cockroach-infested place. I’m quitting my job, besides maybe working for you.”
Alex’s eyes are wide. “Come again. Did you just say Rodney is Dad's best friend?”
I move over to Holly and wrap my arms around her waist. Holding her feels as natural as breathing, and I soak in the feel of her in my arms.
She leans back into me and addresses Alex. “Yeah, our wonderful parents showed up at the party last night and revealed their true colors—again. I can’t handle it anymore, Alex. I’ll keep working for you, and you only. Even then, I think I want to phase out of the job. It isn’t worth it. I want to be in Bolt with you and Reina and Mateo’s family. It’ll take some adjusting, but I know I’ll be happier there.”
I drop a kiss on the crown of Holly’s head. “I’ll install the best internet I can. You can use the office in my house for your work and projects.”
Holly hums a happy sound and I tighten my embrace.
Alex pulls his own wife into his arms and looks between the two of us. “So what are you guys, then?” he asks.
