McKenna passed Dez’s drink back to her and shrugged.“A few more of Josie’s drinks and the guests won’t feel a darn thing.”
Dez narrowed her gaze at McKenna’s empty hand.She must really not like Josie’s concoction.Dez hadn’t seen her with anything but water.
“Besides,” McKenna continued, “we had to celebrate the reopening of Raven’s Nest.”
“Thank you.I appreciate you hosting so I don’t have to clean tomorrow and can get everything ready for Monday.”She swirled the liquid in her glass.“Josie just went to make more.I should tell her to go easy on the tequila.”
McKenna held out her hand.“Quin told her already.”
“Oh, good.”She took a sip of the cocktail and her tastebuds tingled.Searching the crowd, she spotted Aiden with her mom’s arm looped around his.A flush of embarrassment lit her cheeks.To say Charlene had taken to Aiden was an understatement.
McKenna leaned toward her.“Looks like your mom approves.”
Dez snorted.“She’s probably talking to him about grandchildren right now.”
McKenna’s cheeks turned pink, and she fanned her face.
Concern filled Dez.“You okay?”
“Uh, yeah.Totally fine.”The pink turned to a shade of gray.
Dez glanced around the crowd and spotted Jaxon, who was talking to Wes.She motioned him over, and he quickly broke away and crossed the grass.He hopped onto the wooden deck and swooped his arm around McKenna’s waist.“What’s wrong?”
Fear pinched his brow and apprehension tickled Dez’s spine.Something wasn’t right.McKenna turned toward the house with Jaxon hot on her heels.Worry formed a wall of nausea inside her.
Josie sauntered outside, a huge glass beverage dispenser hugged to her body.
“Here, let me help.”Dez grabbed the side and they lowered it to the table so the tap hung over the edge.
“There.”Josie beamed.“Don’t worry, I toned down the booze.I don’t think anyone’s complaining, but it was way too strong for me.”
“And McKenna too, maybe.She looked pretty sick a moment ago.”
Josie’s eyes rounded.“Oh my gosh.I just saw her and Jaxon run toward the bathroom.”She pressed her knuckles to her lips.“Dammit.I hope she’s—wait.I didn’t see her drink anything, did you?”
Dez shook her head.“Maybe it’s a stomach bug.Shoot, we should maybe call off the party.I’ll go check with Jaxon.”
She entered the house and made her way toward the bathroom.McKenna exited just as she approached.
“Are you sick?I just came to let Jaxon know I can cancel the barbeque and—”
McKenna shook her head.“No, no.This isn’t contagious.”
Warning bells screamed in her head.She caught McKenna’s elbows and tears stung her eyes.“McKenna, please...”
Her friend let out a loose laugh.“I’m sorry.I should have told you before the party, but I didn’t want to overshadow the day.”
Dez shook her head in confusion, and then the pieces started to click into place.Footsteps sounded behind her, and Jaxon approached with a glass of water.“We’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t say anything.It’s still so soon.Only seven weeks.”
Dez gasped.
McKenna giggled.
Dez covered her mouth with both her hands and turned to Jaxon then McKenna.“Oh my god, I don’t know who to hug first!”She seized McKenna’s shoulders and squeezed her tightly, then did the same to Jaxon.Her nerves started to settle, but excitement made her unable to stand still.“No wonder.You must feel so sick.”
“It comes and goes.But that was a quick wave.Thinking about tequila did me in.”
“I’m so happy for you!”
