My mom plants a hand on her hip then walks to April to stand next to her. They both focus on Hadley and me.
“They’re up to something,” April states and studies the scene.
Hadley laughs nervously as she hands back their glasses. “Don’t be silly. Just a normal night.”
“What’s going on?” My mother gladly takes the wine, and her smile doesn’t fade.
Hadley arrives at my side and nudges my shoulder. “Abort plan, just spit it out,” she mumbles.
I bring my hand to rest on her lower back to ease her concern. “Okay.”
“You both were in Vegas, right? How was it?” April asks as she takes a sip from her glass.
“About that…” I wrap an arm around Hadley’s shoulder for a side hug. “We have some news…”
6
HADLEY
My heart is pounding so loud. This feels more profound than waking up hitched to the guy next to me.
Why did Connor have to start by saying we have some news?
His mother’s hands fly to her mouth before she takes a moment to gather her thoughts. “It’s okay, we’re here for you both. Your father and I, we were in your very shoes, and we were even younger.”
I glance to Connor, confused, and then a lightbulb goes off in his head. “We’re not pregnant,” he clarifies.
His mom takes hold of the counter and sighs in relief. “Phew. It’s not that.”
“Why does your mind even go there? They’re not together!” my mom squeaks at her friend.
Connor’s mom, Brielle, chortles then smiles warmly. “Come on, they’ve had a thing for one another. It’s not out of reach.” I hate that everyone thinks we have athing. “I mean, just the other day, I caught my son staring at her dancing in her studio.”
My eyes snap to Connor because I realize that he is my mystery watcher. He avoids my gaze, but it doesn’t matter. Something inside of me spurs warmth. I’m not surprised it’s him. I should have known, and I’m not sure why.
“Okay, so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad these two together. Kind of cute. The whole neighbor thing. I mean, I’m positive they kissed or something when they were younger. Caught him sneaking out of her room.” My mom crosses her arms and seems to be relaxing.
“Mom!” I shriek. I had no idea that she knew about that, it was when he told me we were a mistake. Oh my God, she’s a freaking detective when it comes to me. Dear Lord, I hope she hasn’t pieced together that I lost my V-card to Connor. “You knew?”
“Whoa, knew what?” Brielle asks.
“Oh boy, we’re going into the vault of memories,” Connor reflects almost fondly while he scratches the back of his neck.
My mom waves us off. “Nothing. I know nothing. Or at least, I’ve never and will never mention it to Spencer.So,what is the news, you two?”
Connor and I look at one another, and I give him a nod to just rip this band-aid off.
“Perhaps we gather the dads?” he suggests, and even I hear the nerves in his voice.
“For what?” My father’s voice startles me, and I turn to see him arrive at the kitchen island with a beer bottle in hand. His eyes land on Connor, and I can see he isn’t thrilled that he’s touching me.
“What’s going on?” Ford arrives by his side with a smile.
I feel the warmth of a hand entwine with mine, and I peer down to see Connor’s and my hands together. I attempt to ignore that it’s an image that looks right, and instead take a deep breath to give me courage.
But before I get a chance to announce our news, my husband does something incredibly stupid.
“Aren’t you going to welcome me to the family,Dad?” He directs his question to my father as he holds up my hand with a shiny diamond ring on it.
