“No more alcohol for you. And, seriously, ‘Sugar Lips’?” Velma pinched her not-sugary lips together.
“Tastes just like strawberries.” He winked at her.
She blinked, her cheeks burning. “What?”
Brek wouldn’t have told anyonewhat she’d done on the couch.
“Strawberries. Sugar Lips. Tell me I’m not the only one who gets that?” He held up his fork with a strawberry stabbed in the tines.
Velma opened her mouth and closed it again. Her phone vibrated in her purse. Thank goodness… It had to be Brek.
“Would you excuse me?” She grabbed her bag and pushed out her chair.
“Not a problem, Sweet Potato.” Jase grinned up at her as she stood.
She pulled out her phone and clicked it on without checking the screen as she headed toward the sitting room. “Hello?”
“Velma? It’s Pam.”
Velma’s heart stopped. She gripped the back of the sofa. Had something happened to Brek?
“Is Brek okay?” she asked, gripping the upholstery harder.
“I was hoping you could tell me,” his mother said, exasperated. “I’ve been trying to reach him for hours. Aspen’s water broke. We’re at the hospital. They say it shouldn’t be long now, and I figured he’d want to meet his nephew.”
Velma’s breaths went shallow. Brek had said a couple of days ago it was still too early. “Is she okay? Is the baby okay?”
“Everyone’s fine. Baby’s got the all clear to come. I thought Brek was with you?”
Velma shifted her phone to the other ear. “No, he had a meeting tonight. But I’ll go find him and make sure he gets there. Are you at St. Luke’s?”
“Yes. Hang on.” Pam mumbled something in the background before returning. “Let me know when he’s on his way?”
“Of course. I’ll be in touch.” Muscles in Velma’s neck cinched tight.
“Thanks, dear.” Pam disconnected.
He’d mentioned offhand the name of the club—what was it?
Velma clicked off her phone and tried Brek. He didn’t answer. She shoved a hand through her hair as she waited for his voice mail. “Brek, it’s me. Aspen’s at St. Luke’s. Baby’s coming. I’m on my way to find you…call me.”
Velma tossed her phone in her bag and hurried back to Jase. “Aspen’s having the baby. I need to get to Brek to tell him. Can you help me find him?”
She’d already brought up the search engine on her phone to check social media for the club name.
Jase dabbed his napkin against his lips. “By all means, let’s go clubbing. Thanks for dinner, Mom. I’ve got to take my fiancée to find her boyfriend.”
“Nice to meet you. We’ll talk next week?” Anna rose and squeezed Velma in a hug. The Dvornakovs were loud, and they were huggers. Velma would have to get used to both.
“Perfect.” Velma turned to go, but Babushka waited behind her, arms wide. Velma leaned down to squeeze her.
“Grandbabies come soon, yes?” the old woman asked.
Velma glanced up to Jase and glared.
“Nah, we want to wait and get to know each other better.” Jase tugged Velma’s sleeve. “C’mon, Baby Cakes. You’re driving.”
“Because…vodka?”
