Emma picks something off the table and comes running up to Greyson, throwing herself in his arms as he catches her. “It’s positive! We’re having a baby!” she squeals.
He looks over the pregnancy test and smiles tenderly at her before kissing her lips. “I love you. Are you happy about it now?”
“So happy! Gracie’s gonna be a big sister. I can’t wait to tell our parents.”
“Your dad’s going to be ecstatic,” he tells her.
“Oh God… he’s going to go crazy. Maybe we should wait a little before telling them finally.” She stares at him with wide eyes as he chuckles. Emma then climbs out of his arms and looks at the newcomers. “What is this? Are you all friends now?”
“We bumped into them outside and invited them over to celebrate,” Clay clarifies.
“Oh, playing the friendly neighbor now, are we, Clay?” Cecilia wanders over with a smirk.
“Shut up, C.” Clay smirks back.
“Hey! Don’t tell my wife to shut up,” Silas interjects, making Julian groan.
“I’m already regretting coming in here,” he grumbles.
“Oh, shush. We aren’t that bad.” Veronica comes up with Morgan and Aubrey.
Jessie offers Veronica a flirty smile. “Oh no, you definitely aren’t.”
“Back off, man,” Gabe growls as he reaches a hand around Veronica’s waist and pulls her in. She melts against him with a sigh as I kiss her temple.
Jessie only chuckles with a small head shake, then smiles broadly at the girls. “Hello, ladies.”
“Hi, Jessie,” they all say at once.
Julian steps up to Aubrey and takes her hand. “Hello, Aubrey. It is lovely seeing you again.” He kisses the top of her hand.
She instantly blushes all over and glances at Shane quickly. “Hello, Julian. It’s a surprise to see you here.”
A smile graces his lips as he watches her, but it’s not an affectionate one. It’s the kind that says, ‘I know how uncomfortable I’m making you, and I’m enjoying it. Plus, I really like to piss off my friend who has a crush on you.’ “I told you we would be meeting again.”
“Yes, you did.” She turns a deeper shade of red.
Greyson watches them interact with a very displeasing frown.
“All right. How about we get this stuff to the kitchen and grab some food? I have ice cream that’s melting and an empty stomach,” Gabe says as he backs out of the room, still holding on to Veronica with one hand and the other holding the twobags of ice cream.
Once we get to the kitchen, the girls begin putting things away while we guys take out plates and set things up to eat outside by the pool.
“Question, who brought the cup into the entertainment room?” Silas asks as he grabs a couple of beers between his fingers.
“We did.” Cecilia smiles up at him and plants a kiss on his lips when he lowers for her.
“You’re joking, right!?” Gabe stares at her with wide eyes.
“They better be joking! You know you’re not allowed to carry anything heavy, babe!” Clay whips his head toward his wife.
“You shouldn’t be either, Bunny.” Greyson points at Emma.
She rolls her eyes at him. “We didn’t. Those three did all the heavy lifting.” She points toward Cecilia, Veronica, and Aubrey.
“Oh God… We’re doomed…” Gabe whines and drops his head.
“We’re kidding.” Cecilia giggles and squeezes his arm. “We know all about your superstitions. Nigel carried it over.” She nods to the keeper, who is once again sitting so quietly in the living room we forgot he was there.
