“Ah, how is the lad?” Antonio asks, his lips drooping beneath his beard.
“As well as can be expected when the woman he thinks he’s going to marry drops the bombshell that she’s pregnant and plans to give the baby up for adoption so the two of them can move to Japan for her career unencumbered,” I sneer.
He makes a grunt of disgust. “If you ask me, Phoenix dodged a bullet there. So he’s just going to raise the wee one himself?”
My chest tightens with pride toward my brother. “Yes, he didn’t even hesitate when Beatrice gave him an ultimatum. He was crazy about her, so I know it was hard for him.”
“He’ll be all right. He’s got an amazing support system with all of you.”
“We’re doing our best to be there for him. I honestly think he’s going to be the most amazing dad.”
Antonio’s beard twitches with a smile. “Agreed. He’s got a good heart, that one. Does he know if it’s a boy or girl?”
I grin. “A little girl. My mother is so excited.”
“She’ll be a wee princess for sure,” he says, standing. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
I rise as well, sliding my jacket off the back of the chair and putting it on. “I need to go pick up the baby gift. Mom insisted on throwing a baby shower even though Phoenix told her it wasn’t necessary.”
“Leave her be and let her have her fun,” Antonio scolds. “She raised three boys, so I’m sure she’s excited to even things out a bit.”
“Antonio,exciteddoesn’t even begin to describe what my mother is. I’m sure the entire house is going to look like a Pepto Bismol factory exploded inside.”
I pull up in front of my mother’s house and put the vehicle in park before texting my cousin Dutton to come out and help me. By the time he jogs out, I have the back of the black Escalade open to reveal a pink-wrapped box.
“What the hell is that?” he asks, standing beside me with his hands on the hips of his Wranglers.
“That,” I say, pointing at the ridiculously enormous gift, “is a top of the line stroller and car seat combo. It reclines into six different positions, has aerospace-grade foam for safety, and comes programmed with fifteen sounds of nature soundtracks. It’s also Bluetooth compatible, so Phoenix can control the sound with the buttons on his steering wheel.”
“Christ, does the fucking thing fly?”
“Actually, yes. It’s FAA approved for plane travel.”
Dutton rolls his eyes but helps me maneuver it into the house, which, as I suspected, is bursting with pink, from the seven balloon arches to the roses on every flat surface to the three-tiered cake.
A few minutes later, Dutton and I are surveying a platter of cookies shaped like various baby items. “Is that a diaper?” he whispers, pointing at one of the cellophane-wrapped treats.
My nose wrinkles. “Yep. I know it’s just a cookie, but I can’t bring myself to eat a diaper.” I select a different one. “I think I’ll have a rattle.”
Dutton tilts his head before choosing his. “I’m going with the pink rocking horse.”
“I’m so shocked the cowboy chose a horse,” I tease as we unwrap our desserts. We each take a bite and let out simultaneous groans as the buttery sugar flavor hits our taste buds.
“That’s damn good,” Dutton says, holding his cookie up to my mouth. “Here, take a bite of my horse’s ass.”
“Dutton Hale!” my mother says, appearing from out of nowhere to smack his arm. “Language! This is a baby shower, not a biker bar.”
“Sorry, Aunt Ophelia,” he drawls, kissing her cheek. She looks so youthful in a pink dress with flyaway sleeves and a ruffle around the bottom.
“You know bikers aren’t the only people who cuss, right, Mom?” I ask, earning me a glare.
“I’m aware, Mr. Smarty Pants, but we’re all going to have to clean up our language once the baby gets here.”
“Phoenix is her father. Her first word will probably be fu—” I cut myself off when my mom’s brown eyes constrict to slits. “Funny,” Iamend, and Dutton chokes on a bite of his horse cookie. I hope it was the ass end.
Mom’s lifted eyebrow tells me she’s not fooled. “You two better behave. The mayor is coming tonight.” Her eyes flit to the front door. “Oh shit. I meanshoot. There she is.” And with a final warning glare, she flits off like a pink butterfly to greet the new guests.
Dutton chuckles. “I swear, your mother is one of my favorite people in the world.”
