Page 78 of There Are No Words

I rolled my lips and got up, placing a hand on my lower back as I did. Before I left the room, Brady said, “You’re glowing, by the way.”

I closed my eyes and willed myself not to look his way, not to see the compassion in his eyes. Maybe I should have, but I didn’t. “I’m waiting for the baby to kick,” I responded.

“I hope I’m around for that. I want to feel her kick, too.”

I nodded. “I’ve only felt a flutter so far, but, Brady—” I turned around, our eyes connecting. I was right—I saw the care he had for me in them. “I’d want to share her first kick with you. I’d like to share that moment with you.” Really, I wanted to share all the moments with him. Although, I couldn’t seem to bring myself to say those words aloud.

Tears stung my eyes and I prayed none fell. He didn’t need to feel bad for me. I felt bad for him because I knew what he wanted, and didn’t know if I could give it to him.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Allegra

“My water broke!”Bianca exclaimed as she strolled into the conference room.

We had just wrapped up a meeting regarding the latest cover and the best designs our design team had drawn up (thanks to Maria’s expert eye). Eight options later, and tedious analysis of each one, and we finally had our cover. But that was so not the point. The point was, we had texted Bianca to stop by during lunch to shoot the breeze, like we’d done when she’d worked here.

I missed those days, and I knew my sisters did, too.

I coughed, and finally addressed what Bianca had said—“I’m pretty sure that’s my line, and in case I’m missing something, it hasn’t happened yet.”

Perla chuckled. “Honestly, what are you talking about, Bibi?”

Bianca rolled her eyes and brushed us off. “Hello, I’m in charge of the games at the baby shower, and I have been researching up a storm. There are some naughty, naughty games out there”—she wagged a finger at each of us as she sat down—“but I didn’t pick any of those.”

Maria arched a brow.

“I call bullshit,” I said, referencing one of our favorite card games as kids.

Bianca feigned shock, gasping and clutching her chest. “You really think I would do that?”

I looked to Maria, Perla, and then my eyes wandered back to Bianca. “Yes!” we all shouted at her before bursting into laughter.

Bianca rolled her lips. “Fine. You all know me too well. I might have picked some, but that’s neither here nor there. The water broke game is actually very interesting, and we’re totally playing it at your baby shower.”

Maria cleared her throat. “I’m just grateful you didn’t pick out any of my baby shower games.”

“I was young, but I still think your baby shower was boring,” Perla said.

I laughed. “It was a garden tea party, if I recall.”

Maria held up a hand. “Hey, it was very elegant.”

Bianca booed her. “It’s a baby shower, Maria. Plus, Allegra’s should be as explosive as the sex she had with Brady.”

I gasped in horror that she’d bring that up. But let’s be real, the gasp was probably uncalled for because this was Bianca we were talking about. I should’ve had no doubt she’d spill the beans.

Maria’s head turned so fast I was surprised it was still attached to her body. “You and Brady slept together, and Perla and I are the last to know?”

I shook my head. “Now, now. Dad doesn’t know, either.”

Perla balled up a piece of paper that was on the table and tossed it at me. “Gross, bringing up Dad like that.”

I didn’t catch the paper, but it landed in my lap, so I plucked it off my pants and tossed it on the table. “Fair. But I can’t be held accountable. Would you believe me if I told you nipple cream was the cause of us having sex again?”

Bianca crossed her arms and pursed her lips. “Nipple cream?” She shook her head. “No, Allie, we would not believe it.”

“I’m not surprised it happened again,” Maria said.

---