JORDAN
“We’ll get marriedin the spring,” Darcy says after dinner as we sit around our table.
She smiles up at Hayden and he tucks a lock of lavender hair behind her ear, a gesture so loaded with affection and familiarity that my heart gives a sharp tug.
“Under the cherry blossoms,” she admits to the table. “They remind us of falling in love.”
On her left hand, her engagement ring sparkles—a cluster of pink lab-grown diamonds set to look like cherry blossoms.
“Darce, I was in love with you long before that,” Hayden reminds her, and she blushes as he kisses her cheek.
“Aw.” Rory grins at them before putting his arm around Hazel and pressing his lips to her temple.
Georgia sighs happily and Alexei slips his palm into hers. Jamie looks down at Pippa and gives her the serious, tiny smile he reserves for her.
“We’ll do the honeymoon in the summer,” Hayden adds. “And we were thinking of making it another group trip. Maybe Italy, since you two love it so much there.” He nods at Georgia and Alexei, who have a summer home in Tuscany.
Georgia lights up. “We’re in.”
“Same,” Pippa chirps, squeezing Jamie’s hand.
Darcy looks at me with an expectant expression. “You too, Jordan, Tate. You need to be there.”
I give her a hesitant half-smile. “Maybe.”
“I’m honored,” Tate says with warmth. “I’ll have to see how it works out with Bea’s schedule.”
“Bea’s welcome to join. We’d love to have her.”
Two people at the table are noticeably quiet—Rory and Hazel. They’re looking at each other with loaded expressions, having a silent conversation.
Hayden gives them a baffled look. “You twohaveto be there.”
Rory raises his eyebrows with a question, Hazel smiles and nods, and he takes a deep breath, nerves flashing over his features.
So they’re finally going to tell everyone. A curious energy ripples around the table.
Rory takes another deep breath. “We can’t travel this summer because... Hazel’s due in July.”
Everyone falls silent.
Hayden’s expression turns confused. “Huh?”
“Due.” Pippa covers her face with her hands, eyes wide and focused on Hazel, who’s smiling. “Oh my god. Oh my god.”
“Oh my god,” Georgia echoes softly, smiling at Hazel, and there’s a tiny flip of something pleasant in my stomach.
I expected them to all find out before me.
“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Luca asks.
“As in due date?” Pippa asks her sister. “Did I hear that right?”
Hazel smiles again, nodding. Pippa lets out an exuberant yelp, leaping up and throwing her arms around Hazel’s neck.
“Due date for what?” Hayden asks Darcy.
She smiles at him. “A baby. Hazel’s pregnant.”
