Page 58 of Timeless: Encore

Her words strike a chord.

I think back to when Zane and I were little. He and I always used to sleep in the same bed, which continued even when we’d go on summer vacation with our moms. One summer we were, God, twelve? Thirteen? My mom was adamant we were too old and she wouldn’t allow it. Neither of us understood why, so when they went to sleep we crawled into bed together anyway. It was all so innocent.

Thank God it was Lianne who caught us and not my mom. She wasn’t mad, she was…touched? I remember the look in her eyes. It’s the same as it is now.

She always knew we were meant to be.

I’m snapped back into reality by Alex, who’s been unusually quiet and contemplative. “Enough of the sappy shit. Presents. Now.”

It gives me an opening. “We’re set up in the other room. Head in there, I’ll bring some drinks in a minute.”

Most of the ladies make the short trek from the conservatory to the living room. Zoey, on the other hand, plops back down. She’s out of breath.

“Are you okay, honey?” Her mom rushes over to her.

“I’m fine. That was justweird, I felt like I was going to faint.“ Zoey shakes it .

Olivia helps Zoey to her feet. “Let’s get you into the living room. Once that belly pops, the discomfort starts. Get used to it.”

“I’m getting so fat. Ty doesn’t seem to mind, though.” Zoey looks down at her bump. Pats it lovingly.

Ronni rolls her eyes dramatically and pinches some nonexistent fat. “You should have seen my belly when I hit five months. I never thought I’d look like myself again. Well, I don’t, but man, I was twice your size. The twins, God love them, have fucked up my body big time.”

“Go on ahead. I’ll be right there.” I shoo them away so I can mix up a batch of orange and passionfruit juices and seltzer “faux-mosas”. As I stir, it’s hard not to let negative self-talk creep into my mind. Ronni and Zoey’s weight comments stun me. Do these ladies truthfully see themselves as overweight?

I run my hand along my soft torso. Though I’m doing my best to hide it, my body image is back to shit. I feel self-conscious. Compared to those two, I’m huge. Both women are—at the most—a size four, maybe six. When I tried on clothes for this shindig, I discovered my 1X dresses are all snug. If they truly believe they’re heavy, I can’t imagine what they think about me…

No, stop thinking that way.

I take cleansing breaths. I just need to get through another hour. I finish the drinks and bring them into the living room with a smile. “With those stupid migraines, I’m so glad you’re taking such good care of yourself, Zoey. When I was pregnant with Mia, I developed preeclampsia. I don’t want that for you. Not with all of the complications that go with it. It fucking sucks.”

“Yeah. Well, Ty’s taking good care of me.” She smiles at all of us. “He cooks for me every night. Massages. Foot rubs …”

“Sex.” Alex and the rest of us—except Zoey’s mom, who hides her eyes—laugh.

God, we’re terrible. As is typical with our group, the stories get a little raunchy. A bit squealy. The moms wisely keep their lips zipped because—ew.

When the topic turns to pregnancy woes, Lianne, Andrea, and Olivia join in. We’re graphic. Disgusting. Hilarious. Because, face it, it’s a rite of passage at a baby shower. One I never had, considering my own particular circumstances, so I get a little bit of a macabre thrill participating now.

Zoey is clearly horrified but has no power to stop the share-a-thon.

Thankfully, the rest of the afternoon passes quickly. Ty and Zoey have a ton of stuff for the baby, who she calls “Rufus.” All the women leave on time except Ronni, because Torin and Tristan are upstairs with Mia and Olga. Connor is on his way to pick them up.

“You doing okay?” Ronni picks up a couple of trays and takes them to the sink.

“Thanks.” I put the trays in the dishwasher. “Yeah, I’m totally fine. It’s crunch time. The kitchen staff is plating the menu tonight. They’re going to serve me, Zane, Carter, and Lianne as test diners. That way I can tweak whatever needs tweaking.”

“Oh, so you have things to do tonight. Where’s our invite?” She winks.

I snap a towel at her. “You and Connor will be in next round. I promise.”

Connor and Zane burst through the doorway.

“Zoey’s on the way to the hospital.” Zane grabs a tartlet and stuffs it in his mouth. “I don’t think we need to worry. It’s just precautionary.”

Connor wraps Ronni from behind. She grips his forearms and looks up at him. “Good, so they’re okay?”

“Aye.” He takes a slice of salami.

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