The happy couple has decided not to find out the sex of the baby.
After the formalities are done, I bring out the gifts and start setting them closer to Dyl. Emma is the program coordinator, and games are up next, the most exciting part of the day for everyone but the mother-to-be.
“Dyl, if I was single—” I overhear Desi as she sips her wine. Her eyes are glassy, but I know she’s just a bit tipsy. We have all agreed to behave today because the mama can't drink.
“All I can say is that the man has moves,” she continues. “God, even Emma, was salivating. Grant had to pass her a napkin.”
We all laugh at Desi. I can try to deny it, but she is right. Ember is sexy.
“You should have ordered him as tonight’s entertainment.” Dylan giggles, sipping on her juice. “I got a glimpse the other day when Shelby and I were at the station.”
“It’s a baby shower.” Emma laughs, nearly sputtering wine all over herself. “But, I wouldn’t mind an encore.” The word reminds me of Ember and that night.
“You’re awfully quiet about all this, Shelby?” Grady’s mother smirks, and all the women look at me with grins on their faces. I knew they would start on me the moment the conversation turned to Ember.
“She had to walk out forair,” Desi says with air quotes. My face heats up.
“I did not walk out because of Ember. It was just hot in there.” And damn, was it. That man has muscles in places I never knew existed. The sex appeal coming off that stage was electric. I felt it, every single move.
They nod their heads, and I know they’re not falling for my lies.
“And they had a moment in front of the bar too. He was leaning against her all sexy like until I arrived.” Desi wiggles her brows.
“A moment?” Now it was my time to laugh. “He was being a cocky jerk.”
“How cocky?” Desi asks.
“Desi, you are so dirty. It wasn’t like that.” I take a sip of my wine. “Can we get to the games, please?” I move over to get the gifts and bring them closer to the momma to be.
I remember my own baby shower. I never had family in town, so Drew had Grady’s mom throw one for me. It was a small high tea at their lake house, and it was beautiful. It is still one of my most treasured memories. Being a mother is and will always be the greatest gift I ever received. Seeing that little face for the first time and holding a product of Drew and my love for each other was everything.
“You all right?” Emma asks.
“I am, just thinking about Brody. I feel so left out these days. If it isn’t Grady, it’s his new friend Lucas. So, Dylan better enjoy her little one.”
“Tell me about it, mine pretend I don’t exist.” Emma laughs.
“Well, it might be time to get afriendof your own, Shelby,” Desi whispers between Emma and me.
“You guys are my friends, Desi.” I pinch her cheeks.
“No, the other kind, the servicing kind.” Her eyebrows quirk. “Huh, huh, Am I right?” She nudges Emma.
God, her mind is filthy.
“One of the guys on the top of my list is over at Dylan’s,” Desi hollers, and it gets them interested in the conversation.
I run my hands through my hair, tugging at my scalp then letting go. “It’s not like that, Des.”
“But do you want it to be like that? That guy has a lot of abs,” Emma adds.
That has Dylan and Mrs. Malone in stitches.
“Not you too,” I frown at the two of them. “Okay fine, I find Ember attractive, I do, but it just isn’t the right time.” They look between each other. “What? It isn’t?”
Grady’s mom smiles at me knowingly. “You ladies behave yourself. Let’s finish our games. I need another drink.” There were many things I loved about Mrs. Malone, and the ability to turn a conversation that is going haywire is amongst my favorite things. She has been like a mother to me since Drew died. She sat with me while I cried and took care of Brody when I couldn’t.
The conversation turns from Ember to other safer things, like how happy Dylan is to be a mother. I know she will be great. I’ve seen her with Brody. She is patient and has that gentle way about her. She is a beautiful woman inside out, and she makes Grady happy. We give her advice, some unnecessary and downright TMI, but she laughs it off. We force her to eat some baby food, and she swallows it like a champ.
