Page 29 of While We Waited

“But you hardly ever see him.”

“Which is exactly the way I want to keep it.”

“I don’t understand,” Paisley says. “You clearly find the man attractive. Why don’t you want to see him?”

Thank the smugglers in heaven, we’ve arrived at the resort because I am not answering her question. I park, switch off the engine, and jump out of the car. My stomach cramps and I place a hand over it. This is not the time to throw up. You’d think I threw up enough today already. You’d be wrong.

“What’s your hurry?” Maya asks as she rounds the car to where I’m standing.

“We’re supposed to be waiting in the lobby when Chloe and Lucas arrive.”

Paisley checks the time. “They should be here any minute. Let’s get inside.”

The foyer is crowded with guests. I spot Sophia with Flynn and her brother Weston and join them.

“I can’t believe Chloe is the second one of us to fall in love and the first one to get married. My money was on Maya,” Sophia says.

Maya’s cheeks heat. “I’m not in a hurry to find love,” she whispers.

Weston smirks. “Because you’re waiting for a certain someone to come home.”

Maya ducks her chin and shrinks into herself. Her shyness goes into overdrive whenever anyone mentions Caleb.

Caleb is from Smuggler’s Hideaway but he left after our high school graduation to join the Army. Maya’s been pen pals with him for years. She’s also had a crush on him since he helped her climb the monkey bars in second grade.

I elbow Weston. “Don’t embarrass her.”

He doesn’t get a chance to respond before Lucas and Chloe arrive, and everyone cheers.

“Awesome. The couple is here. I’ve greeted them. Time to go secure some company for the evening.” Weston wiggles his eyebrows before wandering off.

Sophia purses her lips. “I can’t believe my brother is such a manwhore.”

Flynn kisses her cheek. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Don’t forget you promised to drive home,” she shouts after him.

“I can drive you home if you drink too much,” I offer.

She narrows her eyes at me. “Aren’t you drinking?” I shake my head. “Why not?”

I can’t tell her the real reason. I’m barely eight weeks pregnant. It’s too early to share my news. Too many things can go wrong in the first trimester. Considering my luck, I’m keeping the news to myself.

“Not feeling well.”

She frowns but doesn’t comment. My friends are the best. They never remark on my hypochondria or tell me I’m exaggerating or being dramatic.

Sophia threads her arm through my elbow. “Come on. We’ll get you some seltzer water.”

She leads me to the ballroom with Paisley and Maya following us.

“This is beyond romantic,” Maya says when we enter.

I sigh as I look around. The place is drenched in romance. There are pale pink roses on each table. Pink balloons hang from the chandeliers. And there are more candles here than I’ve ever seen in one place before. Hudson’s a cranky pants but his resort is the best.

“Agree. I’m happy Chloe found happiness.”

Paisley nods. “Me too. She was very lonely.”

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