“Come on, if you’re going to be sitting at the table with us, you might as well have a drink. Actually, make his a little more herbal. He seems more like the rosemary type. And an espresso martini for me.”
The server smiles, typing it into her little pad. “And to start?”
Angie gives the menu another quick look. “Baked Brie. The one with the fig jam.”
“Coming right up.”
“I see we’re eating light,” I say with a smirk after the waitress leaves.
She leans in with a conspiratorial grin. “Come on—it’s a special occasion.”
I laugh. “Alright, you talked me into it.”
The two of us do some seriously needed catching up, and then the drinks arrive. Bogdan sips his—I can tell he actually likes it—as he sits perched on the edge of the booth, both to give us some space and to keep an eye on the entrance.
After a short time, the baked brie lands between us, molten gold and smelling like heaven.
“So, uh… there’s something I haven’t told you. Something I know I should’ve told you earlier, but I couldn’t find the right moment.”
She freezes, one hand in mid-gesture. Her expression is serious. “Wait, you’re not dying or something are you? Please tell me you’re not dying.”
“No, not dying.”
“Opposite, actually,” Bogdan interjects, his eyes on the entrance.
“Huh?” Angie asks.
“Not dying,” I say. “Multiplying.”
She tilts her head. “Multiplying.”
I lift my glass. “I’m pregnant. Twins.”
For a second, she just stares. Then she squeals and launches across the booth, nearly toppling over the baked brie.
“Twins?Gabby, are you freaking kidding me?” She’s hugging me before I can answer, arms tight, joy and disbelief mixed together on her face. “Oh my God, that’s insane. It’s incredible!”
I laugh into her shoulder, half crying. “I swear I meant to tell you sooner. I didn’t mean to keep it from you. Everything’s just been totally insane, and Sasha?—”
“Is Sasha…” she finishes, rolling her eyes playfully. “Listen, you’re allowed a secret or two when your life is basically a mob drama.” She pulls back just enough to look at me properly, eyes glossy and glowing. “Two babies, Gab. That’s… I mean, that’s you. You never half-ass anything.”
I snort, wiping a tear form my cheek. “Double the kids, double the nausea, double the worries.”
“But double the love,” she counters, raising a finger. “And you’re going to be an amazing mom. I just know it.”
Bogdan’s watching the entrance, but I can tell he’s moved—at least a little. Angie reaches for the brie knife.
“Alright, time for some celebratory cheese. A little brie for the babies.”
I laugh, my heart fuller than it’s been in a long time. “Brie for the babies. I like that.”
We dig in. Twenty minutes later, the Brie’s half gone, and the mocktails are sweating against their glasses. We’ve been chatting about baby stuff, mostly, and it feels good to be with my bestie. For the first time since the drive-by, I actually feel human again.
Angie pushes the plate of brie toward Bogdan, who’s been laser-focused on the entrance the entire time.
“Come on, you know you want a bite...”
He flicks his eyes at the plate for a moment. “Too heavy for me.”
