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Briggs opens his mouth at the same time Ashby reaches for another question. I don't even realize I'm leaning across the table until I hear my own voice joining theirs.

Suddenly, we're all talking over each other.

"Are you okay?" Briggs asks.

"How far along?" Ashby adds at the exact same time.

I lean forward. "What did the doctor say?"

"Have you eaten?" Briggs demands.

Ashby frowns at him. "Why is that your question?"

"Because she forgets."

"That's fair."

"I'm fine," Laurel says, laughing again with visible relief.

Her cheeks are pink now, and the nervous edge that followed her announcement is giving way to excitement. Every time she smiles, it hits me square in the chest. Part of me wants to grin like an idiot. The other part is trying to process the fact that we're having a baby.

Ashby steps in before Briggs can wear a groove into the floor. "When was the appointment?"

"Today."

He nods once. "And everything looked good?"

"The doctor didn’t say otherwise."

"Did they give you a due date?"

Laurel narrows her eyes. "Are you interviewing me?"

"I'm collecting information."

"That's a fancy way of saying interviewing."

Ashby uncaps his pen. "You're avoiding the question."

She shakes her head wonderingly. "I swear you came out of the womb carrying a clipboard."

Before Ashby can defend himself, Briggs swings around. "You're asking the wrong questions."

Ashby looks offended. "I have a system."

"Your system is boring."

"It's efficient."

Briggs waves that away and focuses on Laurel. "When do we start the nursery?"

Laurel stares at him for half a heartbeat before laughter bursts out of her. She doubles over, clutching her stomach as tears gather in her eyes.

I drag a hand down my face.

Of course that’s where Briggs' brain goes.

"A nursery?" Laurel manages.