“Speaking of relationships.” Stella crosses her arms, but they sit high on her chest due to her belly. “What’s going on here?”
“What do you mean?”
“Chase and I were sitting exactly the same way the two of you are sitting right now, just moments ago.” Stella grins. “Your hand hasn’t left Tate’s since it got there.”
“What, friends can’t comfort each other?” I scoff, but I know we’re done for.
Not that we planned on hiding our relationship, especially not this long, but every time we thought about telling our friends, something came up.
First, Declan and Brin found out their parents were getting a divorce. Ember and Declan’s relationship fell apart, and then Brinley and Alex were officially dating. We didn’t want to steal their thunder, and then Zeke’s mom got sick, and it just never felt like a good time to bring this up.
Bigger things were going on that we needed to worry about.
The only people who currently know about us are Jeremy, Becca, Naomi, and Ethan. Well, I guess Chase and Stella know now, too.
“When?” Chase’s eyes study mine.
“Valentine’s Day.”
“Aw, that’s so romantic.” Stella’s face lights up.
“Did Tate make the first move?” Chase’s eyes narrow. “I always felt like she’d make the first move.”
“Actually, I did.”
“After I told him we couldn’t be friends anymore.”
“You told him you couldn’t be friends anymore?” Stella gasps.
“I mean, he came in and started tearing into me, accusing me of being jealous and distant, which I was, but I wasn’t going to tell him that.”
“She fails to mention I was walking intomyhouse, and she was sitting onmycouch, and I could just feel the tension in the air.”
“So, after attempting to deny everything, I exploded, and then he said he was scared to lose me, and I asked him how that was working out for him—”
“Okay, Tate.” Stella smiles. “Stand your ground.”
“And then he left.”
“I did. But then I thought, why am I leavingmyhouse? And if she’s ending our friendship, then why wouldn’t I do the one thing that I’ve been fighting foryears? So, I came back and kissed her.”
“And that was that.”
“It sounds like a romance movie.” Stella gleams. “I would totally watch that.”
“I’m happy for you guys.” Chase stands up, and I meet him between the couches, hugging him. He gives me a couple of firm pats on the back. “You’re good for each other.”
“Speaking of people being good for each other.” Tate pulls a gift bag out of her bag. “Sorry, we couldn’t make it to the baby shower, but that didn’t prevent me from buying out the baby section at the store.”
“Honestly, she would’ve bought a ton more if I didn’t cut her off.”
Tate hands the bag to Stella, and Chase sits back down next to her as she takes out the first item. The cutest little overalls withMickey Mouseon the front pocket matched with a cute, striped shirt.
“Oh, my goodness.” Stella cries. “This is so cute. It’s perfect! Honestly, this is one of the best things we’ve gotten for him.”
“She pretty much cries over everything nowadays.”
Stella swings her arm into his gut, and a puff of air escapes his mouth.
