Page 98 of You Don’t Kiss Your Brother's Best Friends

“We uh, we’re also sort of in the middle of somethingelseright now…”

Ashley stood up straighter, and ran her hand down her belly. And then I saw it. And my heart leapt into my throat.

“Oh my God, you’repregnant?”

She smiled and nodded. “Five-and-a-half-months.”

Jeremy was beaming now. He did it cautiously, while side-eying the three solemn men who flanked him. But he was still beaming proudly.

“Well isn’t that a kick in the ass.”

I took her hand, pulled it in, and placed it on my belly. For a moment, she didn’t understand. Then, slowly, her eyes went wide.

“You too?!” she gasped.

“Sixteen weeks.”

I rubbed my own baby bump, using her hand as a guide. Getting pregnant wasn’t something I’d wanted or expected, it just sort of happened. Like life. Like getting all of your money stolen and fleeing to Greece, where you end up unexpectedly embroiled in a deadly mercenary company’s civil war.

Or like falling in love with your very best friends; three incredible men, who just so happen to want to share the rest of their lives with you.

“Oh my God, Jocelyn!” Ashley cried out loud. “Congratulations!”

She moved to hug me, and for some reason I didn’t stop her. The hug felt weird, but strangely comforting. I wanted to hate it. I wanted to hate her, and him, and everything about this place.

But somehow…

“I’m so, so sorry,” Ashley cried again, and this time there were actual tears in her eyes. “I really am. I mean, I can’t believe I did what I did. I mean, whatwedid. I mean—”

Just then Andre stepped forward with his hand out, and the shop went silent again.

“Someone who was sorry wouldn’t betray their friend, steal her life’s savings, and flee to the other side of the world,” he said coldly. “But that’s okay, because you’re going to make it up to her.”

I let go, and she pulled reluctantly back. Jeremy tilted his head.

“You’re going to pay her what you owe her,” added Bishop. “Minus everything we took from the safe at your house.”

The last part of his statement didn’t register. At least, not at first.

“The safe…” Jeremy repeated, like he was in a trance. “At our house?”

“Yes, specifically the floor safe,” Bishop went on. “You know the one. Up until an hour ago, it contained about half of what you stole from her.”

Jeremy’s mouth dropped open. Ashley hid her face in her hands.

“No,” he said fearfully. “You can’t just—”

“Already did,” said Andre. “And from here, we’re going to be generous. You’re going to send her a check once a month, every month, until you’re all paid back. And the very minute you’re late on evenoneof those checks…”

“One of more us will be back here,” finished Kayden. “To rectify the situation.”

There was the jangle of bells as another customer walked in. She saw the mess near the door, stopped, and looked up.

“We’re closed,” said Bishop, adding a shrug. “Renovations.”

Still looking confused, the woman turned and left. The door jangled again.

“This place seems pretty busy,” said Kayden. “That’s good. Maybe you should send her checks twice a month.”

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