“She’s in love,” Summer said softly.
“They may only be on their way to twenty and fighting their feelings, but I hope they get their chance,” Brinley told us. “I knew what Rowan meant to me when I was that young and look where we are today.”
As I listened to everyone chime in about the situation between Jett and Patience, I felt like they all did, and prayed they would get their time together some day.
“That girl is tough. And stubborn,” Gemma added to the pot of thoughts going around the room. “When I trained her for reception atNo Surrenderand she shared how things were growing up and having a baby so early, I knew she was tough. But she feels strongly too and tries to hide it.”
Ruby’s shoulder sagged a bit. “No matter what happens she will always be part of my family and like a little sister to me. But I’m with all of you and think both of them are holding back. I know how much she cares about Jett and she would never hold him back from trying to live his life so she puts on a brave face when she does get to talk to him.”
My eyes misted over as I listened to how much love was in the women's voices when they talked about our friend who didn’t make it to the sleepover.
“I’ll be there for her too,” I told the ladies. “And if she has all of you in her life looking out for her like you’ve done for me, then she will find happiness, I just know it. You girls are the best friends anyone could ask for.”
“Oh shit, we always get to the sappy part at every sleepover,” Alley said, rolling her eyes.
She liked to play the toughest of them all but that woman had a heart of gold. I saw the shimmering of tears in her eyes like I did everyone else.
Alley stood up and started for the kitchen, but as she walked by me, she pointed her finger at me. “You were always meant to be with us, don’t ever try and get away from us again or I will kick your ass.” Then she made a funny face. “Once you’re not pregnant that is,” she added.
“She’s all talk,” Gemma said in a sassy tone.
Alley whipped around, eyes glaring at Gemma. “You better sleep with one eye open tonight.”
Gemma stuck her tongue out at Alley and Alley gave hers right back. We burst into giggles again.
“I’m hungry,” Gemma whined.
“Of course you are,” Teal said. “You are weeks from popping that baby out of your hoo-ha.”
Gemma rubbed her belly and looked down at the huge round bump with so much love. I couldn’t help but follow suit and do the same with my growing tummy.
“I can’t believe we managed to wait to find out if we are having a boy or girl. Eek, I am so excited to finally meet this special little one. It is hard to believe this is my life.” Gemma sighed wistfully.
Paxton and I were waiting too, but it was hard.
“Let’s go raid the sweets,” Gemma said.
And the next thing I knew we were all in the kitchen shoving our faces with the sweet treats I brought from the bakery.
I looked around the room and laughter bubbled inside me. The way everyone was eating you’d think the whole lot of ladies were pregnant.
They were a special group of women for sure and I was glad even with the horrific journey I’d had to go on to get where I was that it had led me to them.
Pax too, of course.
He was the icing on the cake.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
PAXTON
I chuckledas the blinds moved once again.
“The girls are trouble,” I told Bodie who was sitting in the passenger seat of my car.
He shook his head while looking in the direction of the house. “Do you think they’re planning something? Why the hell do they keep peeking out here?”
“Oh they are probably up to no good for sure. There has to be a joke out there somewhere that starts something like, ‘What do you get when you put eight crazy women-friends together in one house for a sleepover?’”
