Page 85 of Riverside Reverie

“Sure am,” I nodded politely.

“Do you travel a lot for work?”

“Ugh, can we stop talking about jobs and work please? It’s making me nauseous,” Brinley complained, throwing her hands up in aggravation.

“Everything makes you nauseous,” Scott muttered, rolling his eyes.

“Uh, duh, because I’m pregnant, or did you forget?” Brinley snapped with irritation.

Sensing Lux was uncomfortable, my arm went around her shoulders. Scott tracked the movement a little too closely for my liking. I got the sense he wasn’t quite over Lux, or that he was regretting his choices in life and where they’d led him. Couldn’t blame him, really. I was only getting a small taste of Brinley, and I wasn’t a fan.

I’d hoped there would be some redeeming qualities in her, but they remained yet to be seen.

“Congratulations on the baby,” Lux said, her tone gentle and kind. “Do you know what you’re having yet?”

“A boy,” Scott answered, putting his arm around Brinley.

“Really? That’s exciting,” Lux smiled at her sister.

I had to give her props for that, for not letting the reality of the situation—her ex-boyfriend knocking up her sister—cloud her reaction with bitterness.

“I can’t picture you with a little boy.”

“Neither can I. I wanted a girl,” Brinley rolled her eyes.

“You don’t get to choose,” Mark chuckled.

“I know that,” Brinley huffed, her aggravation clear as day.

* * *

Dinner was an awkward, strenuous event, despite how hard Lux tried to not cause friction. Lux’s very presence set her sister off, making her surly. By the time dessert was brought out, we were more than ready to leave.

Any time the conversation had drifted from Brinley’s pregnancy and the baby to Lux and how she was thriving at her new job or about her life in Sudbury, Brinley would get agitated, and Lux’s mom would work double-time to bring the topic back to her. I don’t even know if Diana was conscious that she was doing it, or if she’d done it for so long, it was second nature.

“We’ll be having the baby shower here in April,” Diana informed Lux over dessert. “I’d like you to be here a few days before, helping me decorate and prepare. I’ve already gotten a guest list from Brinley and have started the invitations. We’ve decided to go with a nautical theme, haven’t we Brin?”

Brinley nodded demurely, pleased the topic had gone back to her.

“I’ll be here for the shower, of course, but I can’t book time off work, especially during the week,” Lux answered carefully. Her mother frowned, looking as if she was about to say something.

“That’s understandable,” Mark cut in before Diana could say whatever was on her mind. “If you need extra help decorating, Diana, just hire someone.”

Lux shot him a thankful smile.

“Well, I could always see if Camellia’s available to help.”

“I told you, Camellia and I aren’t friends anymore, Mom,” Brinley rolled her eyes. “She hasn’t even congratulated me.” She stabbed at her desert with her fork. “Lux probably had something to do with that,” she muttered under her breath, bringing the forkful to her mouth, and chewing aggressively.

Lux heard her and stiffened beside me. I reached under the table, giving her thigh a gentle squeeze. She drew in a stabilizing breath. “Camellia is busy with university and her internship.”

“That’s right. Can’t fault a girl for focusing on her education,” Mark said diplomatically, sending a stern look to Brinley. “If you’d done that, you wouldn’t be in this…situation.”

Brinley’s mouth tensed, and her eyes filled up with tears. Before they could unleash, she pushed back her chair and stormed from the room. Scott rolled his eyes, pushing his own chair back to go after her—though I didn’t miss the languishing look he shot in Lux’s direction before he went.

“Mark!” Diana scolded, her eyes widening. “That was uncalled for.”

Lux’s father heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, you’re right. What’s done is done, all we can do now is focus on the future. But in order to give this baby the best future, Brinley and Scott have to get serious about theirs.”

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