Page 103 of Save Me

My mom cheers and rises to her feet. She pulls Riley in for a hug, followed by my father.

“I’m sorry. Kyle wanted to be here today so we could tell you together, but that meeting …”

“It’s about time,” my mom and I say together after I finish hugging Riley.

“About time?” she asks, looking confused.

My mom and I exchange a glance at one another and then burst into laughter.

“You weren’t super obvious, but there were clues,” I finally say. “Like your chocolate cravings a while back, even though you don’t like chocolate much. And every time we’ve had lunch for the past two months, you’ve turned down any and all alcohol.”

She groans. “We wanted to wait until after the first trimester.”

My mom hugs her again. “You weren’t too obvious,” she assures. “But when you’ve had five kids, you pick up on some things.”

“Kyle and I had cigars in my office earlier this morning,” my dad tells us.

“He told you before me?” my mom blurts out.

My dad palms the back of her neck before kissing her. “He wanted me to be here when you two found out. I was already coming,” he assures. “Like you, sweetness, I know what pregnancy symptoms look like.”

“This is amazing,” I say. “Does Eve know? Is she freaking out?”

“She’s ecstatic. We only told her last night because, well, you guys know, Ladybug can’t keep a secret for anything.

“Kyle went out and bought her a ridiculous amount of video games and new math material that I don’t even understand, and he came this close to buying her a pony.”

She pinches her thumb and forefinger together as she holds her hand up.

“He was terrified that she’d feel left out.” Shaking her head, she laughs while her eyes mist over.

My father plucks one of the cloth napkins off the table and hands it to her.

“This baby is making me so emotional already,” Riley says as she dabs at her eyes.

We spend the next few minutes until our meals arrive discussing all things babies. Riley just had her twelve-week check-up last week, and everything is going well with the pregnancy. Kyle is determined to find out the gender before the baby’s born, but Riley wants to wait.

I’m sure my hardheaded brother will get his way one way or another. We talk for a while longer before my father has to head out for a work meeting of his own.

“I had to share the news before the gala in a few weeks, anyway,” Riley says. “It’s like last week. As soon as I hit week twelve, my belly popped. I’ll probably have to alter the dress I chose for the children’s gala to make room for my expanding belly.”

My mom squeals in happiness. “Our second grandbaby is coming,” she says. “We’ll be there, too,” my mom adds about the children’s gala. “Kennedy, are you coming?”

“I’ll be there,” I say hesitantly as I look between my mother and sister-in-law. “With a date.”

Riley immediately raises her eyebrows. “We’re finally going to meet him?”

“Him?” My mom smiles as she looks at me. “Are you finally sharing with us today, too?”

My eyes widen, then narrow. “You knew?”

My mom gives me a deadpan expression. “A few weeks ago, when you were over for dinner and couldn’t stop smiling at your phone.” She lifts an eyebrow. “You think I didn’t notice?”

Riley laughs. “Caught that, too, huh?”

I glare at my sister-in-law, which makes her laugh harder.

Then I clear my throat. “Yes, I’m seeing someone. He’s the owner of the Black Opal.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to say it’s not that serious but my mouth can’t form the lie.

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