And maybe I’m a little disappointed that he didn’t stay.
Come to family dinner tonight.
Red
No.
Yes. I already told everyone you’re coming.
Red
I told Thea I’d help her get the nursery ready. Apparently she’s surprising Jules.
Perfect, I’m helping too. I’ll pick you up.
And family dinner is at Jules’ house tonight.
See you soon *kissy face emoji*
In a surprise to absolutely no one, Jules and Thea are madly in love. I’m glad they figured that out before the baby came. I’m sure there will be enough to focus on once he makes his grand entrance.
Because we are all happy for the two lovebirds, Bardot family dinner is a particularly jovial affair.
I, too, would be thrilled if it weren’t for the fact that my fiancée isn’t wearing her ring and has a goddamn scarf around her neck to cover up the hickey I left there.
“Why do you look like someone peed in your Raisin Bran?” Bex, my younger sister, is not one to mince words.
“One, I don’t eat Raisin Bran?—”
“Yes you do,” Gabe pipes up.
“And two,” I continue, completely ignoring Gabe, “Why are you even here?”
Bex and Anders’ newest addition, Molly, is strapped to my sister in some confusing contraption that would take me an hour’s worth of YouTube videos to figure out, and their older daughter, Elodie, is running around causing chaos, I’m sure.
“It’sfamilydinner.” She says the words slowly, enunciating each syllable before pointing between the two of us and then around at the rest of the room. “We, Benoit, are a family.”
My sigh could probably move mountains. “I know that, Rebecca. But you, the giant redheaded man, and these cute little cherub babies live almost four hours away. So again, I will ask: Why are you even here?”
She shrugs and then walks away, still not answering my question.
“Something weird is going on,” I murmur to Gabe.
“Agreed.” Gabe eyes me. “You do look like someone peed in your Raisin Bran. Is it Cole? Is that why she’s here?”
“She’s here because she has an open invitation to join our family dinner any time she wants. And because she’s friends with Thea.”
“Is that all she is?” he asks, his tone knowing.
This is the hardest part about the arrangement between Cole and me. I would happily tell the world that she’s mine—and I’m trying to do just that in any way she’ll let me—but she’s not ready. She’s still wrapping her mind around us. And notusin the way she’s always known, but the newusthat could be if she wants it.
Before I can answer, I see Mom cornering Cole. I hand my drink to Gabe without looking at him so I can interfere before Elaine Bardot starts one of her famous lectures.
“Dear, take your scarf off! It’s unseasonably warm. I can set it by the front door!” I know Mom is trying to help, but I would be able to see Cole’s mortified expression from Mars.
“No, that’s okay, Elaine! Thank you, though. I get very… cold… indoors.” Cole’s face is flushing even redder than normal, betraying her lie to anyone with functioning retinas.
Before I have a chance to jump in and save her—and honestly I’m not moving very fast because Iammad she’s not wearing her ring—Thea pops out of nowhere. “Cole! Come to the bathroom with me.” She rubs her belly obnoxiously as if to emphasize her next statement. “Pregnancy means I constantly have to pee! So sorry, Elaine. I’ll bring her right back.”
