There. Much better.
She smiled to herself as she made her way back inside and put her focus back on work. Alex thought about the commission check she’d received from Mrs. Davis,
Not a bad start to the week.
Her smile grew as she approached her desk, which was positioned in the gallery’s far corner, facing the business’s front door. Glancing down, she studied the oversized monthly planner to see what she needed to do next. A touch of pride and satisfaction ran through heras she grabbed her favorite pen and drew a blue line through Miriam Davis’ name.
With that job complete, Alex dropped the pen back in the cup with the others before moving on to the next project on her list. Minutes passed as she began a sample sketch for inspiration. Her focus was so homed in she didn’t realize someone had walked into the gallery until they began to speak.
“Ah, so youarealive.”
Alex looked up to see her sister looking back at her with a pointed stare. “Hey, Aves. What are you doing here?”
“Just making sure my only sister didn’t vanish into thin air. I wasn’t sure, since you haven’t returned any of my texts so far today.”
Her face twisted with regret. “Yeah, sorry about that. This morning was crazy busy, and I just spent about forty-five minutes making small talk with a very important customer, and I?—”
“Relax, Al. I’m only teasing.” Her sister plopped down into one of the two white chairs facing the desk. “I figured work was keeping you busy, which is why I decided to come to you.”
Abandoning the sketch, Alex gave her sister her full attention. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine.” Avery’s sweet smile grew.
Alex studied her sister with an assessing gaze. “What’s going on, Aves? You’re wearing yourI have a secretface.”
“Actually . . .” The other woman let the word drag. “Thereissomething I wanted to tell you. And thisworks out even better, because now I can share the news in person.”
“There’s news?”
Avery’s pretty eyes sparkled. “So . . . we didn’t say anything to anyone, in case things didn’t go as planned. Especially since it’s been such a long time coming, but . . . it finally happened.”
“What happened?” Alex frowned before understanding fully sank in. “Wait.” Her heart kicked hard. “Do you meanithappened? As in . . . you’re pregnant?”
The adorably messy bun on top of her sister’s head bobbed as she gave a joyous nod. “I’m having a baby.”
“What?”Alex shot up from her chair and rounded the desk. “Ohmygosh!” she squealed. “Are you serious? You’re pregnant?” She pulled her sister in for a giant hug. “Like for real?”
“I took four tests, just to be sure.” Avery giggled against her chest. “Uh, sis . . . I love you, but . . . I’m having a little trouble . . . breathing.”
Dropping her hands, Alex took a generous step back. “Sorry. But oh, my gosh.” Her hands went to her cheeks. “This is incredible, Aves. I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thanks.” Her sister beamed. “We’re super excited, too.”
My baby sister is going to have a baby.
A rush of tears flooded Alex’s eyes, but she quickly swiped them away. “How far along are you?”
“I don’t know exactly. My first OB appointment isn’t for another week, but if my math is correct, I should be somewhere around six-and-a-half weeks.”
“I can’t believe this. How long have you known?”
“I took the tests the weekend you were in L.A. I almost slipped up and said something then, when you and I talked on the phone. But Garrett wanted us to wait out of an abundance of caution, and since I promised I’d keep it a secret . . .”
While Avery continued with her ramblings, Alex worked like hell not to react to the mention of her trip to L.A. It didn’t work, of course. Her wandering mind immediately went back to her night with Colt.
The hotel. The way he kissed. How they’d frantically torn off each other’s clothes.
She’d quietly left her hotel room the morning after, and every day since, Alex had fought the urge to remember. The days weren’t so bad. She’d become quite good at keeping herself occupied with work. The nights, however . . . those were a different beast altogether.
