As soon as I finish my speech, I race across the room to my sister and throw my arms around her.“You came!”
“I couldn’t not be here on my baby sister’s big day.”Her smile is tentative at first.“You said it—family is everything.”Her hand rests on her stomach.Stays there.
I gasp.“Mari.Are you pregnant?!”
She nods.“Two months.I was having some hormone problems, and that was contributing to my emotional swings.I’ve never felt so out of control, and someone from the office went on maternity leave and got fired, so I was a little stressed over it all.Then when I found out about you and Clay, I overreacted.I’m sorry.I guess it’s hard to break the habit of worrying over you.”
“Well, now you have someone else to worry about.”I nod to her stomach.
“Is it selfish to say I hope you’ll stick around Denver?You can be part of the baby’s life.”
“I’d love that.”
She throws her arms around me, and I hug her back every bit as hard.
“Where is Harlan?”I ask.
“He’s been busy working all day on the trade deadline.Even when there’s not a big deal, he’s on the phones until the bitter end, and—there he is!”
Harlan appears from nowhere, his tie hanging around his neck and his eyes weary.
“Nova, I tried.I’m sorry.”His expression is pained.“Tell Clay I’m sorry.There was nothing I could do.”
“What are you…?”I shake my head.He does owe me an apology for all the mess he caused, but this seems overly heartfelt for him.
When I go to find Clay, he’s surrounded by teammates and grinning.
“Can you keep a secret?”I murmur.
“Anything for you.”
“Mari is pregnant.I’m going to be an aunt.”I’m bubbling over with excitement.
“That’s good news,” he says.
“The best news,” I say tearfully without being able to explain why.I always felt as though we were short-changed in the family department and like me putting my dreams first cost me family.
Now, I can have both things.
A murmur goes up.
“What the fuck?”Miles demands, looking at his phone.
“Nova…” Brooke runs up to me.
Clay pulls out his phone.Whatever he sees, his happiness is gone in an instant.
My heart hammers as I pull his phone toward me.
It’s a news article.
It’s not true.
When I look up, Harlan’s standing next to the owner, looking grim.
It is true.
Clay's jaw locks, his beautiful eyes full of torment.
