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“Do you not remember who told you to race to Lennon’s house on prom night?”

I scratch the side of my head. “Uh, you were…”

“And do you remember who told you to tell her how you felt after you two had your falling out?”

“That would be you…”

She drops her silverware to the table and crosses her arms over her chest. “So why on earth would you think I’d try to talk you out of marrying the girl you belong with?”

“Sorry. But Mom, this isn’t about Lennon and me. This is about her baby…”

My mom rolls her eyes. “You can try and convince yourself all you want that you don’t have feelings for that girl, but deep down, you know better. And any person with two eyes and ears in this town knows better too.”

I push a hand through my hair. “How can I make this up to you?” I ask, wanting to avoid admitting the truth she just alluded to—because I’m standing my ground. I did this for the baby. I did this because Lennon is my friend.

My head is finally catching up, and it feels better talking out loud about my decision.

Although I’m not sure why I expected any other reaction from my mother other than pressure to make the marriage real.

My mother taps her chin, making me sweat as she thinks. “You can let me host the baby shower.”

“Uh, what about Lennon’s mom?” Owen interjects. “I think Ava would want to be involved in that too.”

“Then we can plan it together. And I want Lennon to come over for dinner as soon as possible. I’ve waited a long time for a daughter-in-law,” she says, her eyes practically sparkling. “Especially this one.”

Chapter 10

Lennon

Telling the Parents and Moving In

“I wish I had your confidence.”

Nora squeezes my hand as we start down the staircase toward the main part of the house where my family is already chatting away. “Mom and Dad are going to be thrilled about the baby.”

“And the part where I got married without them?”

“That might take a minute.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“I’m not going to lie to you. Besides, unless you plan on wearing gloves through dinner, you can’t hide that ring forever.”

I press a hand to my stomach as nausea swirls in my gut. My gaze drops to the diamond Easton somehow produced at the courthouse. I didn’t even get a chance to chastise him for buying it before he left. Trust me, I wanted to.

But what tripped me up the most was how freaking perfect it is.

It’s exactly what I would have picked out myself.

“I think I need to throw up before I go through with this.”

“I can distract them if you need a minute.”

Sighing, I descend the last few stairs. “No, I think I’d rather just get this over with.”

It’s Saturday evening, and knowing I would have to tell my family about the pregnancy and wedding tonight, I’ve spent all day in my room under the guise of studying. The truth is, I barely cracked a textbook.

All I could think about were the countless scenarios of how my parents and siblings are going to react when I tell them my news.