Swallowing down the words, I ask instead, “Dahlia’s still preparing the bakery for opening, right? She’s in there almost every day?”
Darby’s brows knit together, confusion flickering across her face as she places a teabag in each of our mugs. “Yeah.” She nods, swallowing. “The grand opening is March first, but they’re in there every day getting things set up and ready.”
“What time does she normally arrive?” I ask.
Darby grabs the kettle off the stove and pours steaming water in each mug. “I don’t know. Around seven or so most mornings now that she’s finished her baking course at Golden State.”
“And you have a spare key?”
Her hands fall to her stomach, making idle circles as she eyes me warily. “Yes?”
“Could I borrow it?”
She only blinks.
“I’m not going to like…cause destruction, and I swear I’ll give it back. I just… It’s for my brother, mostly.” I shrug. “And for me, I guess. I need to prove something to him. Both of them.”
Darby takes a deep breath. “Is there a reason you’re asking me and not Dahlia herself?”
“I can’t tell you that yet, but I swear it’s nothing bad.”
She gives me a wistful smile before disappearing down the hall. Returning a moment later, she hands me a small cupcake keychain with one key on it. I hold my hand out as she drops it into my palm.
“Thank you,” I breathe. “Please don’t tell my brothers. I mean…they’ll find out, but I’d prefer that be through me.”
She opens her mouth to say something, giving me that same apprehensive look as before, when suddenly her eyes squeeze closed and a hiss escapes her mouth. She groans, dropping her head to glare at her belly.
“You okay?” I ask.
She huffs, shaking her head. “I’m fine. She’s just kicking up a goddamn storm.”
“Do you like being pregnant?” I find myself asking, unsure if it’s an appropriate question after it’s already left my mouth.
“I do, I swear.” Darby laughs, smiling longingly at her stomach. “Things I thought I’d care about, like stretchmarks and weight gain, don’t bother me in the slightest. But other things I didn’t expect to be afraid of like my blood pressure or her heart rate, freak me out at all times. It’s a very odd experience, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“You’re still beautiful. I promise.”
She smiles up at me. “And I know you mean that, because you don’t bother lying for the sake of anyone’s feelings, even a pregnant woman.”
I shrug. “True. You look like you wipe your ass with sunshine and let singing birds pick out your clothes for you in the mornings.”
Darby bursts into laughter, and the sound makes it impossible not to join in. We’re interrupted by the distant sound of door hinges, and a moment later, my brother rounds the corner in a black wetsuit, the top half folded down at the waist and his bare chest on display. His hair hangs in front of his face, still wet with seawater.
“As I live and breathe.” He creeps into the kitchen with a hand clutched to his chest. “Is that my sister? In my kitchen? Drinking from my coffee mug?” Leo crosses the kitchen in two long strides, closing the distance between us and taking my face between his hands. “Are you okay? Did you get hit in the head?”
I roll my eyes, frowning as he squishes my cheeks between his hands. “You’re annoying.”
He smiles, dimples popping. “Well, I can see you’re fine.”
He wraps his arms around me and tugs me into his chest. I return the hug before he takes a step back, grinning brightly as he spins around and faces his wife.
Leo pulls her into him, planting a kiss to the top of her head. “My honey.” Then, squatting to his knees, he lifts her shirt, placing both hands on her bare belly. “My baby.” Pressing his lips against her skin before lifting his head to her, my brother’s gaze clashes with his wife’s—the love and adoration so blinding it seems to block out everything around them. “How’s she cookin’ today?”
“She’s playing soccer this morning, actually,” Darby says affectionately.
Leo chuckles. “C’mon, baby girl.” He spreads his palm over the front of her stomach. “Give Daddy a kick. Show me how good of a surfer you’re gonna be someday.”
“She’s going to be whatever she wants to be.”
