“I’m so happy for you!” I gush, hugging her again.
“I’m going to be an auntie.” Beth tears up, smiling down at her sister.
“You both are. Auntie Beth and Auntie Lennon,” she coos. “I had to tell him first, but it was killing me to not tell you,” Hannah confesses, and we smile.
“How did you tell him?” I ask.
“The card I gave him today said, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day, Daddy,’ and inside, I put a picture of the ultrasound.”
This is when I notice that she’s literally beaming. I guess pregnant people do glow.
“When are you due?” Beth asks.
“September 15th.” She smiles, placing a hand over her stomach.
We spend the rest of our lunch talking about baby everything. Will they find out the sex? Have they told their parents? Do they want a boy or a girl? Do they think it could be twins? Do they have names they like? Literally everything under the sun is touched on in twenty minutes.
I am going to be late for my next appointment, so I excuse myself, hugging them goodbye. I tell Hannah to make sure she passes my congratulations on to Greyson before stepping outside. The snow is falling lightly on this beautiful winter day in Rock Falls when I cross the square, taking out my phone to send a quick text to Jami.
Me – Did you hear?
Jami – I’m going to be an uncle!
Me – Yes you are! And I’m going to be an auntie!
Jami – Uncle Jami and Auntie Lennon. I like it ;)
I put my phone back into my pocket, smiling to myself. Things have changed so much already this year and we are only halfway into the second month. It’s unbelievable.
As I’m rounding the corner, only a block away from the salon, a figure steps in front of me. When I look up, I feel my daggers coming out when my eyes lock with Malibu Barbie.
“He’s never going to stay with you,” she spits, placing a hand on her cocked hip.
I notice today that she’s sporting god-awful lime-green nails. Could she be any tackier? The colour goes so nicely with her orange skin and yellow hair.
“That’s not any of your business,” I answer coolly, moving to step around her.
She blocks my path again, blowing a pink bubble in my face with her gum. “Whatever this thing is going on between you two, he’ll get bored of it.” She smacks her lips, chewing her gum. “And when he does, he’ll come crawling right back into my bed.”
It takes all of my willpower not to clock her upside her pretty little head, but I am not about to get in a catfight in the middle of town square where everyone can see us.
I let the fakest grin I’ve ever done spread across my face. “Keep telling yourself that sweetheart.” The honey dripping off my voice only serves to piss her off.
I move around her again, and this time, she doesn’t stop me.
“Bitch,” Kelsey snarls under her breath.
I continue walking, but I pull my hand back behind me to flip her the bird too. Barbie is really starting to get under my skin.
The rest of the afternoon at work flew by, leaving me absolutely no time to work myself into a frenzy over what was going to happen tonight. I already know what we are doing, and that alone should calm me down, but it doesn’t.
I finish work at five, which gives me only an hour to get home, shower, and change before Jami is coming to pick me up at six. I change into a red, silk dress and black stockings that clip onto a lace garter belt, and I finish the outfit off with black pumps. I spin around in front of my floor-length mirror and grin. Jami is going to have an absolute heart attack. Then I button my black dress coat over the ensemble.
Just as I step out of my bedroom, I hear a knock on the front door before it swings open. Jami quickly searches the room before his eyes land on me.
“Hey, you.” He gives me a grin before furrowing his handsome brow. “I thought I told you guys to keep this door locked when your home. Anyone could just walk inside.”
I walk over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Mhmm. Anyone could,” I tease, smiling at him. He looks handsome tonight in black jeans, a white button-down shirt, and a dress coat.
“I’m serious, Lennon. You girls need to be more careful,” he scolds me.
I stand up on my toes to kiss him on the lips. “Happy Valentine’s Day to you too.” I laugh before pulling away from him.
He grabs me before I can back away and drags me against his chest. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Beatle.”
Ten minutes later, we’re walking up the front steps to his house. When we reach the door, he turns around, grinning at me. “Close your eyes.”
“Why?” I ask, confused.
He rolls his eyes. “Oh just do it.”