Page 26 of James

“Yes, we think it’s going to be another girl,” he says proudly.

“Congratulations, bro. But you know you’re screwed if it is, right?” I tell him.

“Why?” he asks suspiciously.

“Two girls. You’re gonna have your hands full,” I tease. Sasha walks up to us, hearing my comment, she tucks herself under my arm, and laughs.

“Yeah, with boys you only gotta worry about one penis, with girls, you gotta worry about everyone else’s,” she says. We all burst out laughing. Except for Kade, who is staring at Grace with narrowed eyes. Probably contemplating how he’s going to lock her up, or size her for a chastity belt. His response makes me laugh even harder.

“Where’s Jye?” I ask her.

“Layla has him. Wanna go sit down?” she asks.

“Sure, come on.”

As soon as the food is ready we all eat, and watch the kids play together. When Sasha heads into the kitchen with Nikki, Layla sits next to me, and stares at me knowingly.

“What, Layla?” I ask with a sigh.

“You two are so cute together,” she replies, her brown eyes twinkling. She is dressed casually in jeans and a tank top, her hair tied up in some messy up do.

“Are you gonna ask her to marry you?” she blurts out. I recoil as soon as I hear the word marriage. I see her frown at my reaction.

“Layla! Get your ass in this kitchen! You promised me cookies!” Nikki calls out. Saved by Nikki’s pregnancy cravings.

“Coming!” Layla yells back, giving me a thoughtful look before she heads inside.

It’s not that I don’t want to marry Sasha, because I do. And I will. Now is just not a good time.

***

Sasha

I’m in the kitchen with the women and the kids, getting the dessert organized. Layla is baking cookies for Nikki, who's having a craving for them. I glance around, and then frown.

“Isn’t this stereotypical?” I point out.

“What? All the women in the kitchen?” Layla says as she closes the oven.

“To be fair, I’m just sitting here waiting for my cookies, I’m not doing anything,” Nikki says with a cheeky grin. She’s wearing jeans and a v-neck top, and is spinning around in the bar stool, causing her red hair to tumble all around her, creating a curtain of hair over her face.

“So have you had sex with James yet?” Layla boldly asks.

“Do you really wanna hear about your cousin and your brother-in-law’s sex life?” I ask her, already knowing the answer.

“Of course I do,” she huffs.

“Well, then no. We haven’t,” I grudgingly admit.

“What, couldn’t he get through those cobwebs?” Nikki jokes.

“You’re lucky you’re pregnant,” I say, a warning in my tone. Nikki just laughs.

“So, you guys all knew about James’ job and didn’t tell me, thanks for the heads up,” I say sarcastically. Two sets of eyes are instantly on me.

“Hey, I only found out cos I snooped and hired a PI,” Nikki says in a hushed tone.

“What?” I yell, standing up off the bar stool. I look to Layla for confirmation, and she nods, looking sympathetic.

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