Page 17 of Eternally London

“Long-distance BFF status is rough. But you know what they say about that.”

I let out a chuckle. “What do they say, Paige?”

“You know, that expression that being apart makes your heart grow to love that someone even more.”

“Yes, absence does make the heart grow fonder,” I agree.

“Yeah, that one. It makes all the times that we do have together special.” She gives me a side squeeze before sitting upright. “And, tonight, we’re going to party like nineteen-year-old sorority girls.”

“Exactly!” I concur. “Except one of those girls is going to party with water, like she might be pregnant,” I throw in.

Paige freezes before she bolts out of her chair and faces me. “Shut the front door! You’re pregnant?” she squeals.

“Maybe. Hopefully. Probably,” I say in rapid succession, my heartbeat quickening in elation.

“Oh my goodness! I need the details!”

I tell Paige every detail about the conversation with Loïc in Savannah and the hours of unprotected lovemaking that ensued.

“Have you taken a test?” she asks.

“No,” I say. “I want to wait until I am late, you know? I don’t want to risk the disappointment of a negative test when it might be too early to tell.”

“Good plan. So, when are you supposed to start your period?”

“Yesterday.” A wide grin overtakes my face as I stand from the chair.

Paige takes my hands in hers, and the two of us bounce up and down.

“This is crazy! You’re totally pregnant. Let’s go get a test!”

“I’ll take one tomorrow before you leave,” I offer. “I don’t want to take the attention away from Sarah on her big day.”

Paige swipes her hand through the air. “She won’t mind.”

I shrug. “Maybe not, but she deserves this day to be all about her. You know?”

“Okay, fine. Then, I’ll get tipsy tonight, and you can be my sober wingwoman. Then, tomorrow morning, we’re going to the drugstore and getting a pregnancy test for you.”

“Sounds like a plan!”

Paige and I start walking toward the house.

“Let’s see if anyone needs help with anything before we put on our dresses,” I say.

Paige nods her head in agreement. “So, have you seen any of these military hotties in person? How hot are we talking?”

I shake my head in laughter.

From the front row, I gaze dreamily up at the altar of flowers and the people standing before it. Every second of the ceremony has been absolutely perfect so far, and I’m delighted for Sarah, Dixon, and little Evan. And selfishly for me because of Loïc. I know that Sarah’s happiness means so much to my husband, and I’m relieved it isn’t another thing that Loïc has to continue to worry about. He can rest easy, knowing his sister—for all intents and purposes—is truly happy.

Sarah is so beautiful. She’s wearing a simple, flowy ivory dress that swoops down in the back, bringing together the ideal touch of sexiness and modesty. Her long strawberry-blonde hair hangs in ringlets against her lightly tan skin. Little white flowers form a tiara atop her head, and she looks like a bohemian Cinderella. But what makes her the most stunning is the genuine joy radiating from her.

Loïc stands beside Sarah as her best man. His hand is placed on Evan’s shoulder as Evan plays with the plastic rings on his satin ring bearer pillow. For a little dude, a couple of months shy of three, he’s doing so well. All the guys are wearing gray slacks and ivory button-up shirts. It’s simple and elegant, and it goes perfect with the entire look of the wedding.

Paige sits beside me, releasing a sigh. I pull my gaze from my handsome hubby to look at her. I have to stop myself from laughing when I take her in. She’s ogling Dixon’s brother, Ethan, like she’s literally going to consume him in a matter of seconds. Her rebound radar is hungry.

I gently nudge her with my elbow. “Stop.” I giggle under my breath.

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