“No,” Em says even more softly. “Anotherpart.”
I freeze.
Laney makes a strangled noise.
Zen squints at Em.
“Something happened on my runaway-moon.” Em’s whispering so quietly now that we’re all leaning in to listen. “Someone, more accurately. Someone good.”
“Emma,” Laney gasps. “Spill.Now.”
The men all turn to stare.
“It’s over,” she says quickly. “It was one of thosewe’re both going through hell after super rough break-upskind of things. Mutual support, you know? But I…brought home…an unexpected souvenir.”
I cannot actually speak.
Laney’s mouth is a perfectO.
Zen gasps and grabs my shoulder like they’ll fall over if they don’t.
Em fans her shiny eyeballs. “This is a good thing. It’s a really good thing. I think—I think this is how I’m supposed to have my own happily ever after. Just me and a baby.”
“You don’t know who he is?” Laney whispers.
“I do. I’ll let him know. But I don’t think—I don’t think he’ll want to be involved. It’s…complicated. And honestly, it’s probably better this way.”
“Oh my god, Emma,” I breathe.
The men are still staring.
My eyes are getting hot.
“And this is a good thing? You’re sure?” Laney asks.
Emma smiles through tears. “Honestly? This isthe very best thing. If I can’t have everything I wanted, this is what I wanted the most.”
“Your kid is going to have the best aunts and unclesever,” Zen says reverently. “Can I be an honorary auncle? Please?Please?”
“Of course,” Emma says.
“Who. The fuck. Do I need to kill?” Theo asks.
Em laughs. “Sit down and shush.”
“Not kidding, Em. I have a get out of jail free card with the sheriff. I will absolutely use it for murder.”
“I can research how to make a body disappear,” Grey says.
“Already done,” Decker offers.
Grey blinks at him.
“I’m anovelist, dude. You don’t even want to know what my search history looks like.”
Lucky and Jack both drop to a knee, then get into a shoving match.
“I was going to make an honest woman of her.”
