Page 23 of There Are No Words

Pursing her lips, Maria angled her head, a sympathetic look washing over her face. “I know it may not seem like it now, but this baby will change your life for the better. They’re a blessing.”

“I know that.” I just wished it was a blessing when I had planned it with a man I saw a future with. But you knew what they said about the best laid plans and all that.

Chapter Nine

Allegra

Allegra:Brady drives like my ass.

I held my phone and waited for my sisters to text back. The group chat I’d started when Perla had moved out of our apartment was the greatest thing I’d ever done—even if I hadn’t known it at the time. As time passed and we all started going in different directions, it became our lifeline to each other. And I knew that with this pregnancy, I’d definitely need them and this chat.

Perla:I didn’t know your ass drove.

Bianca:Yeah, scary!

And there they are. How I love my sisters.

Allegra:Funny. We’re almost there. Does Dad know I’m preggers?

Bianca:Do you seriously think anyone wants to risk him freaking out? No way!

Perla:Yeah, Bibi just got back in his good graces after that whole forbidden romance business with Knox. Him finding out you’re with child is going to be quite the show. I hope someone brought popcorn.

Bianca:With child? Who says these things?

Allegra:You’re there to be supportive. Not give meagita.

Seriously, I don’t need heartburn.From what I’d read, I’d be getting enough of it with this pregnancy, so my sisters adding to that wasn’t appreciated.

Perla:Technically, I’m not at the house yet. I’ll probably be late because I’m just getting in the car now. Frankie had to flyout to Miami for a wedding, so my goodbye took longer than I expected.

Bianca:Is goodbye a euphemism?

Perla:Go with your gut, Bibi.

Maria:Bibi, I’m about to pull up. See if Knox can meet me outside to carry in the trays.

Bianca:On it.

Allegra:I hope you made lasagna.

Maria:You know I did.

Allegra:With the meat and arrabbiata sauce?

Maria:Is there any other way to make it?

Allegra:Marry me.

Maria:Tell Brady to drive safe. He’s carrying precious cargo now.

Allegra:And so it begins. . . the baby is more important than me.

Perla:It happens. Okay, starting the car. See you soon!

I slipped my phone into my oversized purse and looked out the window, wondering when Brady was going to get acquainted with the signals. “You don’t have to drive so erratically. This isn’t the city.” I was about ready to throw up, and I couldn’t even blame it on the pregnancy.

“I didn’t know being irritable started quite so early in the game,” he returned, turning to me for a beat. “Are you nervous about telling your dad? I don’t know him well, but I think it’ll be okay. If I learned anything from the few times I’ve been around him, it’s that he loves all of you unconditionally.”

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