Page 52 of No Second Chances

When my phone starts to ring, I almost bite Emma’s head off as I answer.

“If no one’s dying, I am gonna beat your ass.” Meanwhile, I scan the parking lot of Taco Bell to see if Kennedy had snuck off for food.

“Well, if you’re gonna be an ass, I’ll just hang up,” Emma bites out and then laughs. “But I just watched Kennedy eat her sixth taco of the day, and she blamed it on you. I figured you must have pissed her off, so I thought you might want a heads-up in case you want to do some groveling.”

“I owe you big, Emma. But I didn’t piss her off. Where are you?” They clearly aren’t at Taco Bell.

“Oh, we’re at Lucy’s.” Emma sounds bewildered and amused at the same time. “I was just giving you shit. I thought you knew we were here.”

Blood starts to pound in my forehead, a migraine picking up at my temples. Why did I think that Kennedy wouldn’t want to go back to the same place that she had an issue with Royal at? While shaking my head, I pull out of the Taco Bell parking lot and head downtown.

Begrudgingly, I thank my little sister. “I owe you one.”

“Oh, I know you do.” She laughs. “Don’t worry. I’m gonna collect soon, so you won’t have it hanging over your head for nothing.”

She hangs up, and I find myself smiling when I pull into Lucy’s parking lot a few seconds later. Kennedy’s car isn’t there, which makes me feel a little bit better about not knowing when I drove through town that she is there. I walk into the building, surprised to see every single person who’s been avoiding me all day sitting around one of the banquet tables in the middle of the room. There isn’t a single other customer.

“Sorry!” Violet Ortiz calls out loudly from the back. “We’re closed for a private party.” When she comes around the side wall and sees me, she stops in her tracks. “Oh. You’re late.”

Grumbling, I step around her and try not to roll my eyes as her older brother, Dom, and everyone else are all laughing and carrying on like they haven’t intentionally snubbed me.

“You know, my feelings might be hurt if there was alcohol here.” I drop a kiss on Kennedy’s upturned forehead, right before she shoves another taco in her mouth.

“Dom was supposed to call you,” Remy says unhelpfully.

Dom shrugs from across the table. “I figured Kennedy would have let you know.”

Kennedy, who is mid-shove with another bite of taco, pauses. “I lost my phone. Didn’t you get my sticky note?” She puts the taco in her mouth and starts to chew loudly.

“You mean the one where you told me you owed me a blow job?”

The men around the table laugh, and Kennedy almost chokes on her taco. I grab a chair from the next table and set it between her and Emma.

“No.” She slaps my chest when she finally catches her breath, and I take her hand in mine. “The one on the kitchen table saying, ‘lost my phone.’ But thanks for telling everyone our personal stuff.” She eyes Remy across the table, who isn’t paying attention to anything we are saying. He is whispering under his breath with Parker.

“Okay,” Parker says suddenly, pushing away from Remy to stand up. She claps her hands together excitedly. “We think we can pull something together in a month. Do you guys think that’s enough time?”

She looks so happy, and I don’t want to be the dick to ask what the hell is going on. Instead, I lean over and press my lips against Kennedy’s ear.

“What are we doing in a month?”

She squeezes my hand and smiles knowingly. “Ask Remy.”

Remy stands up next to Parker and that’s when I see his shirt.

Proud Daddy is emblazoned on his chest, with an arrow pointing straight down.

“Wait,” I say loudly. “Are you announcing Parker’s pregnant or something?”

“She’s not just pregnant,” Remy says helpfully. “She’s gonna have this baby in less than three months, so we’re getting married next month.”

“How the fuck is that possible?” Emma pipes up, surprised. “You don’t even look pregnant.”

“Oh, I know the answer to that,” Vi says while she brings another plate of tacos out for Kennedy. “It’s uncommon but not rare. Especially if the baby is small.”

“Yeah,” Parker agrees. “That’s what the doctor said.”

Everyone around the table starts talking, celebrating, and making plans and pitching ideas for the wedding that will no doubt be a last-minute affair. Everyone but Kennedy.

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