“Yes, that’s right.” I brace myself for the judgment, but there is none. Just cool and casual acceptance, which is so refreshing.
“I don’t know how she does it. One is enough work for me,” Aimi says.
“Hey!” Lacy objects before the two of them start to giggle. “So your sister is pregnant. How far along?”
“Only a month, I think.”
“Okay, we don’t know what sex either, and there’s going to be a seven-month age difference. To be honest, I would put them in separate nurseries. If they were twins, I’d put them together, but a newborn may disturb a seven-month-old’s sleeping pattern, and I tell you,neverfuck with a baby’s sleeping pattern.” The other two nod along with Lacy’s advice.
“So I’ll need two of everything then,” I think aloud. “And let’s give Kai’s baby a Hawaiian-themed nursery. Harlow’s can be all about zoo animals. Is that okay?”
“Yes, it’s freaking perfect. Let’s show you what we’ve got.” Aimi tucks her arm into mine and drags me over to the furniture, Lacy following behind.
“Are you coming?” I ask Riku, and he smiles and shakes his head.
“My sister will probably skin me if I get in the way. I’ll make us some coffee on her fancy machine out back.”
I don’t get a chance to reply before Aimi’s dragging me toward a wall with cribs. “About time you made yourself useful. Grab the baby monitor, would you? Your niece is due to wake up from her nap soon. When she does, can you get her?”
Riku salutes his sister and picks up a monitor from the counter before he heads back out the way we came in.
“She’s going to be so excited to see herOji.You should see them together. They aresofreaking precious,” Aimi tells me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “He’s going to be such a good daddy one day. He’s a good provider too, owns his own business, looks after his body, doesn’t smoke, do drugs, or drink to excess.”
“Jesus, Aimi, settle down. You sound like your parents trying to sell him off to the first woman who comes along. Jacinta might already have a boyfriend!” Lacy scolds her wife, but she raises an enquiring eyebrow, not at all repentant.
“Ah… well… I…” How do I get myself into these kinds of situations? You know what? Why should I feel guilty? “Actually, I have three potential boyfriends I’m having dinner with tonight.”
“Three? At the same time?” Like her brother, there’s only honest curiosity in her voice. I’m finding the entire family to be very open-minded so far. There’s something about both of them that makes me feel like I can be open—up to a point, anyway.
“Well, I think that’s what they’re hoping. They’re in a three-way relationship.” I can see her thinking about it, then I hear Lacy mutter something.
“Now you’ve done it.”
“Well, good, what’s one more in the grand scheme of things? You should consider adding Riku to your harem! He has to go away on business sometimes, so having brother-husbands will probably work well for him. He won’t worry while he’s away.” Aimi stops in front of the cribs and starts rattling off specifications like what she just said is a done thing.
“Just go with it for now. She’ll be distracted soon enough,” Lacy whispers out of the side of her mouth. “I love my wife, but she’s flighty as fuck.”
And with that little piece of advice, I spend the afternoon shopping for the impending arrivals. I didn’t grab anything for Molly, Emma, or Melinda yet, but I asked if they would be willing to shut the shop down again so I could bring the three of them in, and they assured me they would be delighted to.
I really felt like I had made two new friends by the time Riku and I left. His three-year-old niece, Kiko, was so put out when we announced we had to go, she clung to him like a koala. He promised to call her and wish her good night. We exchanged hugs all around, and as we walked out, Aimi extracted a promise from Riku to bring me to dinner one night. Despite Lacy’s assurance Aimi would forget, she was still firmly wearing her matchmaking hat when we walked out the door.
* * *
The drive back is quiet once more. I think Riku can tell I’m a little overwhelmed with everything we achieved, but I’m so freaking happy with my purchases. I can’t wait for everything to be delivered to Willow Castle.
Riku breaks the silence first. “I’m really sorry about my sister. She’s just so happy, and she wants me to have the same thing.” Aimi wasn’t shy about talking up her big brother, but what she didn’t realize is that she didn’t need to. I already see his appeal. I just don’t know how that’s going to fit in with what I’m starting with the other guys. Or if he’s even interested. He didn’t shoot her down, but maybe he was just being polite.
“Don’t be. I loved her and Lacy, and Kiko is adorable. Your family is lovely.”
We fall into silence again until we pull into the underground parking, and my phone beeps. It’s a message from Hope, assuring me the decoy plan went perfectly. The press is currently surrounding her friend’s club, hoping to get a shot of me day drinking. It’s such a relief to be out without needing to constantly look over my shoulder.
“Jacinta, you know I have to escort you to your dinner tonight, right?” Riku asks, and I sigh.
“Yes, I do. It’s okay. I know everyone is just trying to keep me safe. Hopefully, some new scandal will crop up so we can fade into the background.”
Riku is silent for a little longer, but then he continues. “Jacinta, you’re a very wealthy woman now, even more so than before, and your father feels like you need to have a full-time security team permanently. If you’re not happy with my company, I can make a couple of recommendations to him, giving you the chance to try out someone else.”
I sit there for a moment, absorbing what Riku just told me. “Why didn’t Dad tell me this?” I ask, feeling off balance.
