“What names are on the table this week?” I asked. She sighed.
“Hmm…I don’t know. Anaconda for a girl, Bug for a boy.”
“Just Bug?” I asked, she shrugged.
“Yeah, no middle name. Bug Lacey. Has a nice ring to it I thought.”
I stopped painting and looked up at her. She tried desperately not to smile but she finally cracked.
“Stop worrying about it. We’ve got plenty of time. Six months in fact.”
When I finished both sets of nails I cleaned up and put the box away. While they let their hands dry, I started looking for the can of frosting I had bought the last time I was at the grocery store. It was strawberry flavor, full of sugar, and perfect for a slumber party. Taking the cupcakes out I checked the brownies, and seeing that they were cool enough, cut them and put them on a small platter.
“You guys want some before I take them to the boys?” I asked. They both nodded and I pulled three squares off the plate for us. I took the plate to the living room. Setting it down on the coffee table I looked up at the two men still playing video games.
“Hey you, brownies are done.” I reached over and planted a kiss on my reluctant husband’s cheek.
“Aw thanks, baby. Sorry, I’m in the middle of a fight,” he said, not looking away from the TV.
“Yeah thanks baby,” Derek smirked, and Mark clenched his teeth.
“Watch it Turtle,” he snarled and then snuck a very quick glance at me.
“How’s girls night going?”
I looked back at the kitchen and sat down next to him.
“Great actually. We’re having a lot of fun. We did our nails, watched girly movies, made cupcakes, did some prank phone calls,” I added and kissed him quickly again. He smirked.
“That’s great baby. Hey if you get the chance can you bring me down a blanket and pillow? I’m going to sleep down here. You guys can take the room.”
“Are you sure? With your shoulder?” He nodded.
“I’ll be fine. I’m almost healed. One night won’t kill me. You go have fun. Thanks again for the brownies baby, you’re the best.” He puckered his lips and leaned over for me to kiss him. His eyes not looking my way. I sighed and gave him his kiss quickly before heading back into the kitchen.
I pulled the cupcakes out of the pan and while they cooled a little more, I grabbed sprinkles out of the cabinet and a spatula for the frosting. When they were ready Cleo and Jimmy helped me decorate them.
“You wanna take these upstairs, start a movie, and relax?” I suggested and we all hurried up to my room. I brought Mark his pillow and a spare blanket and returned to Cleo starting another Rom-com.
Within a half hour Jimmy had fallen asleep in between us. I took the cupcake plate and set it on my side table. Cleo reached over and covered her up. She looked up at me and smiled.
“Are you nervous about your thing?”
“About what? The baby? Not really. Well kind of. Just because it’s something new.”
“Oh, no. Sorry, I was talking about your play. I should have clarified, my bad,” she chuckled.
“Oh, that. Yes and no. I’ve got the actual performance down, but Mark…” I trailed off.
“He seems like he’s in a good place with it. The guys tease him about it a lot, but he just shrugs it off. How does your scene partner’s girlfriend feel about it?”
“I don’t know. He doesn’t really say much about it. I’m assuming she’s dealing with it. I’ve met her before. I assured her that it was just acting and there’s nothing there.”
“I used to say that about Ethan,” Cleo muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. I turned to look her in the eyes.
“Yes, but my history with Thomas is nothing like yours with Ethan. Don’t compare the two.” She blanched away from me and quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry. I just- Mark’s my best friend. I don’t want-” I relaxed and smiled softly at her.
“It’s okay. I understand. I know how it may seem to someone on the outside, but me and Thomas are not like that. Mark and I have an amazing marriage and no one is breaking that. Hell, we are about to have a baby. No amount of good looking men can pull me away from him,” I said with confidence. I reached for my water on the stand.
She smiled wide and then raised an eyebrow.
“So, you confirm that he is good looking, this Thomas?” I was taking a drink and choked when she said it. I looked over at her and she was holding her stomach laughing. I rolled my eyes and joined her in laughing.
“Well, he is an ex, and you’ve seen Mark. It can’t be denied I have great taste in men.”
