Page 65 of Inked Devotion

Okay, I would typically have, but the girls would be here any moment, and I didn’t want to be late.

I snapped my fingers and then went to my pantry and picked out the little yellow balls that would be perfect for the top. They were just sugar paste, but they would be the right texture for what I was looking for. They weren’t lemon-flavored, nor would they give you that crunch, but it would work.

I just finished decorating them when the doorbell rang, and I smiled. It had been a while since we had a girls’ night—not that it was night. We were doing a quick lunch before my doctor’s appointment, but this was the time that we had, and we were going to make it work.

I wiped my hands on my apron, took the apron off, and made my way to the front door. On the other side, Paige and Annabelle were already there, with Eliza pulling in behind them.

“You guys are disturbingly always on time.”

Paige snorted. “I drove us since Annabelle’s been queasy for part of the day, and she didn’t want to drive.”

I quickly moved back, letting them in. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I’m getting the second trimester morning sickness? I’m not a fan of how many weeks I’m along, and now it’s hitting me.”

I rubbed her back in sympathy and pretty much pushed her down onto the couch. “As someone who has to take meds now for my nausea, I understand.”

“Is someone sick?” Eliza asked, closing the door behind her. “I made cucumber sandwiches, but they’re not cucumber, more like a variety of different kinds of sandwiches, but they’re so cute. I like calling them that.”

“We always call them tea sandwiches,” Paige said as she ran her hand down her sister’s back. “Oh, I also brought a couple of side dishes I made—just a few little salads.”

My eyes widened. “A few?”

“I wasn’t sure what you all could eat. I mean, we have two pregnant women in the group now. That means sometimes they might not want chicken or tuna?”

My hand went to my belly without thought. “No, I’m doing okay right now as long as I take my meds. Before, I could only eat sugar.”

“That would be a way to enjoy the day.”

“For today, I can do mayonnaise, but I’m not sure about tomorrow. We’re going to have to play it by ear.”

Annabelle cringed and rubbed her belly. “I swear, I’m getting as big as a house. I may be having twins, but I didn’t realize I would get this big so quickly.”

Eliza practically beamed as she went over to her friend, kissed the top of her head, then put her hands on Annabelle’s stomach. When it was the group of us, we were comfortable invading each other’s space. Out in public, we were a little more careful since we didn’t want to invite anyone else to touch us without permission. “I am so happy. My family is all having babies. And you are having a baby soon, too.”

I looked over at Eliza and smiled. “Today’s the sonogram.”

“Is Benjamin meeting you there?” Eliza asked as she helped me set up the rest of the food on the table.

“He is. He has work that he can’t miss since it’s that time of year.”

Annabelle smiled. “I’m glad he’s going to be there. Jacob is always there for my appointments.”

I shrugged, pushing down any feelings I might have for Benjamin because it wasn’t safe to think too hard. “Of course he’s going to be there. He’s the father.”

“And your boyfriend,” Paige put in, and Eliza and Annabelle shared a look.

I sighed. “He is my Benjamin. Let’s leave it at that.”

“Oh, we’re absolutely not going to leave it like that,” Annabelle teased. “You are having a baby with my brother. We are going to be the aunts of your baby.”

Eliza beamed. “All of us will be the aunties of your babies. I’m really excited about this because this is going to give me so much practice for when Beckett and I start the adoption process.”

“You’re working on that quickly then?” I asked, handing over sparkling water for everybody.

“We’re working through the paperwork. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s what we want.”

“Anything you need from us, we’re here for you.” Paige clapped her hands. “I mean, look at us. I can’t believe how grown up we’re being. We’re having a brunch with pink cupcakes and sparkling water and cider, and no booze because half of us are pregnant.”

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