Page 45 of Seven of Hearts

“And take all the time off that you need, even before the baby is born,” Hannah Jane said as she squeezed my arm. “Those last few weeks are a b-i-t-c-h.”

“I won the spelling bee, Mom. Just say the word. I’ve heard it before,” Ellie said.

I snickered under my breath as Isaac and Luca came in for their own hugs and congratulations.

“Can we help you pick a name?” Ellie asked.

I dabbed my tears away. “I’d love all your ideas. I haven’t even had time to think about it.”

“Dude, I can come up with the coolest name ever,” Gio said.

“Miss Leah is not a dude,” Luca said.

“Speaking of ‘miss,’” Maddie prodded. “I’m assuming this baby is not Joanne’s? I didn’t know you were seeing someone. Not that you need a someone. I’m just nosey. You’re gonna do great. You keep our hellions alive and barely break a sweat.”

“The dad and I are...in contact,” I said, dancing around the truth. “I’m not sure where things are going to go.”

Hannah Jane nodded as the door opened and closed. “Well. You let us know what we can do for you, and when you feel up to a baby shower.”

“Did someone say baby shower?” Kylie asked as she let herself in.

“Do you ever knock, or do you always enter people’s houses without announcing yourself?” I asked.

Kylie laughed. “Perks of being the former next-door neighbor. I was at Kristin’s visiting Logan. I saw Hannah Jane’s car and figured I could bring the swatch books back.” She dropped the thick binders into Hannah Jane’s waiting arms. “Thanks for letting me steal them.”

“Anytime,” Hannah Jane said. “I’m starting a baby shower planning group text.”

“Oh my god, I’m so glad other people know,” Kylie said all in one breath. “Keeping it a secret was excruciating!”

You didn’t exactly do a great job of keeping it a secret, Ky.But I kept that thought inside.

“All right, Ells-Bells,” Hannah Jane said as she wrangled Ellie. “Grab your stuff and hop in the car.”

Ellie gave me a hug. “See you tomorrow, Miss Leah.”

“Bye, girlie. Have a good night.” I turned to Maddie. “I’m gonna grab my things so y’all can get on with your evening. Thanks for being so gracious about everything.”

“You’re family to us,” Maddie said. “Anything you need, just say the word.”

Kylie waited while I gathered my things, and we headed out the door together. I couldn’t help but look over at the Solomons’ house next door. Logan’s rental car was parked in the driveway now.

“He didn’t go back to Chicago?” I muttered under my breath.

“Who? Logan?” Kylie asked.

Shit. That should have been an inside thought.

She paused in front of my car. “How’d you know he was back in town?”

I stammered as a door opened and closed in the distance.

Please, please, please don’t let it be him. Not right now.

I shoved my bags in the backseat of my car. “I—um—” My phone slipped out of the outside pouch of my tote and hit the ground as the screen lit up.

Kylie was faster than I was. She picked it up and glanced at the screen. “And why is he texting you?”

I snatched it out of her hand, but I knew she was too smart to believe any white lie I could come up with on the spot.

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