Page 84 of Unexpecting

″Did you really do that?” Emma wondered as J.B. stood me upright. But he kept his hand on the small of my back.

Cooper passed a hand across his eyes. “Unfortunately, yes.”

″Oh, come on,” I told him defensively. “It wasn’t that bad. Nothing was happening—we were fully clothed. Well, we were under the covers. You didn’t really see anything.”

″I saw a partial breast, and the image of it still haunts me to this day,” Cooper said painfully. J.B. gave him a friendly punch in the shoulder.

″Enough about her image, dude,” he told Coop. “Speaking of which,” he turned to me, “you look great.” Leaning over, he brushed my cheek with a kiss. His lips were soft.

″Thank you.”

″You do look terrific,” Emma told me. “Really sexy, with the…” she gestured at my chest.

″Thanks.” The breeze was threatening to pull out some of my curls. The other three—all blondes—went with sleek updos, but I asked thehairstylist just to pin up my curls in a less formal style, definitely more me.

″Are you feeling okay?” Emma asked me.

″I almost lost my breakfast a couple of times, but I managed to hold it in.”

″I thought you were taking some drug for that?” J.B. asked.

″It makes me tired and bitchy, so I’d rather keep throwing up. I don’t do bitchy well.”

″No, you don’t,” J.B. agreed with a grin.

I stuck my tongue out at him. “Be nice, or I won’t tell you how nice you look,” I said. I noticed Cooper and Emma glance at each other. I was sure they would be happy if things got back to the way they were. The way they used to be, with three big differences—babies—but you know what I mean.

″Are you sure that dress isn’t too tight? You look ready to burst. In a good way, of course,” J.B. added, giving my ever-expanding breasts another once-over.

″It was a little tense getting it on,” I admitted, with my hand trying to cover the overflow.

″It looks nice, though,” J.B. said sincerely. His eyes held mine for a long moment.

″Thanks,” I whispered with a shy smile.

″There you are,” Morgan swooped, interrupting what could have been a very nice moment. “Hey, you all look great. Casey, Brit wants us for pictures. I think we’d better get over there before she starts screaming again.”

″Casey, Morgan!” Brit screeched from the sidewalk in front of the church.

″Oops, too late,” Morgan grinned at me. “Gotta go.”

″Have fun,” J.B. told us.

″Are you serious?” Morgan asked. “This is going to be torture. I feel bad for the photographer to have to put up with Brit. Apparently she has a list of poses she wants done. I’m never going to be able to do this without a drink.”

″I’ll have one waiting for you at the reception,” J.B. promised her. “For both of you. Nonalcoholic, for you, of course,” he teased me. He winked, and I stuck my tongue out at him again.

With a death grip on Morgan’s arm, I toddled over to Brit, still unsteady on my heels, but feeling much better.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

“Pantyhose should be worn at all times to avoid swollen ankles.”

A Young Woman’s Guide to the Joy of Impending Pregnancy

Dr. Francine Pascal Reid (1941)

Despite everything, it wasa beautiful wedding. A beautiful day, even though I couldn’t really breathe naturally because my dress was like a steel band around my lungs and I had a constant fear of throwing up.

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