After Rachel had put Emily down, her sister turned and, without a word, hugged Lori so hard, it nearly cracked a rib. Lori croaked out, “Need some air, here.” Lori leaned back and stared into a face most would call identical to hers. Except for the dark rings under Rachel’s eyes. “What’s wrong, DQ?”
“Nothing.” Rachel forced a smile. “Just missed you guys. Help me lug all my stuff inside before we all freeze to death.”
Lori peered inside the slick Mercedes that held garment bags and boxes. “This is everything? All you own in the world?”
Rachel picked up two of her matching designer suitcases. “I gave most of my things away before I left. Now I’m traveling light and tight.”
Lori picked up a small leather bag and handed it to Emily. Then she hefted the remaining suitcase and quickly caught up. “Tell me you haven’t given away all your sexy shoes too? I have a date Monday night, and I was counting on raiding your closet.” Lori loved borrowing her sister’s designer heels and clothes whenever they were together. Rachel usually ran a little thinner due to her crazy schedule and missing meals, but it looked like her sister was at a healthier weight now.
“Never.” Rachel raised a brow. “Mi closet is su closet for the next nine months. I certainly won’t be using it.”
Nine months?
After Lori had sent Emily back to get more things, she laid a hand on her sister’s arm to stop her. “Why won’t you need your clothes for nine months?”
Rachel shrugged. “Because that’s when my new house is supposed to be complete. In the meantime, I’m going to be working from here, doing freelance work for the rest of the year. No need to dress up.”
Relief had Lori throwing her arm around her sister’s shoulder as they made their way back to the car. “Only you would buy a brand-new house on-line without seeing it. But thank goodness. I thought you meant you were pregnant.”
Rachel winced and broke eye contact. “I see your twin Spidey sense is still intact.”
Lori stopped dead in her tracks. “Ohmygod! You’re pregnant?”
“Yep. That’s why I’m moving in. I need a Lamaze partner. But if you tell Mom and Dad, I’ll have to kill you.”
They were going to have a newborn in a torn-up house? They needed to step up the renovation schedule big-time. “You can’t hide something like that from Mom and Dad. And what about the father?”
Rachel heaved out a long sigh. “I haven’t told him yet. He’s sort of famous. And hard to get ahold of.”
Lori caught up with Rachel, clasped both of her sister’s arms, and turned her around. As she stared into her sister’s eyes, Lori asked, “How famous?”
“I’m sure even Emily knows who he is. And he’s going to want partial custody. I don’t know if I want the twins to be subjected to that lifestyle. I have to figure this out. Soon.” Rachel hugged Lori again. “You’re the only one I know I can trust with this secret. Will you help me?”
“Of course. We’ll sort it all out together. But no coffee for you.”
“My doctor said I could have one cup a day, Rule Follower.”
“Fine. But no more.” Twins? Holy crap. Finding the time to help with one baby would be hard enough; now two?
More complications added to her already overwhelming life. But it was her sister. She’d do whatever it took.
7
SEEING DOUBLE CAN LEAD TO BIG TROUBLE.
Lori hated to leave her sister so soon after she’d arrived, but she had a lunch appointment with Shanan to talk about setting her up on real dates. She’d thought about what Lori had said at the science fair and wanted to see what would be involved.
Lori glanced around the warm little pastry shop Shanan had chosen, while her mouth watered. The decadent aroma of coffee, chocolate, and cinnamon filled the air. Shanan lifted a hand and waved Lori over to her table.
“Hi, there. How are you, Shan?” Lori sat at the little table with a blue-and-white-checkered tablecloth across from her friend and hopefully new client.
“Well. That’s debatable. I’m happy to see you, as always. And a little sick to my stomach to see you at the same time. No offense.”
Shanan always made Lori smile. “I’m just happy to have some girlfriend time, no matter what you decide to do. But what changed your mind about dating nice men?” Lori studied the menu. Maybe she’d just have a mini turkey croissant. She’d save room for the big dinner for her sister’s welcome-home party later.
The waiter came by and took their drink orders. After he’d left, Shanan said, “You know what it’s like to be cheated on. And please don’t take this wrong, but you’re quite the hypocrite by going around and spouting about how being happy again is the ultimate payback for a cheating ex when you’re not trying to move on either.”