Page 31 of Eternally London

Will Sarah ever make it easy for me to like her?

God, I know it’s not her fault, and I feel horrible that I’m letting her pregnancy affect me so much. I see her, and I just feel so many things—none of them pleasant.

I give her a quick hug. “Where’s Ev?”

“He’s taking a nap in the guest room. The plane ride was very exciting for him. I think he asked nonstop questions the entire time,” she says with a chuckle.

“It’s the age,” my mom chimes in. “I love that toddler age—so much curiosity. So, I heard you were having a girl. When’s she due?” she asks Sarah.

Paige hands me a pinkish beverage.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a new concoction that I’m loving. It has vodka and—”

I cut her off, “You had me at vodka.”

I take her hand while sucking down a big gulp of the sweet drink and head toward the food table.

Loïc had our favorite local authentic Mexican restaurant cater.

I love him.

“Oh, carnitas!” I say out loud.

I find out that Loïc rented a couple of cabins in the area for my parents and Sarah and Dixon, giving them a nice little getaway. He’s so thoughtful. He offered one to Paige, Maggie, and Georgia, but they are opting to stay here with us in our guest rooms. I’m happy because I have so much catching up to do with my sister.

It really is a perfect day. Everyone that I truly love is here—minus my friend and old roommate from California, Kate. She couldn’t get out of work. But she FaceTimes to tell me happy birthday.

I eat more than my share and drink way more than my share, but it’s my birthday, so I’m allowed. I laugh more than I have in a long time, and though I’ve probably eaten twenty pounds of Mexican deliciousness, I feel a hundred pounds lighter.

I sneak over to where Loïc and my dad stand, talking over something I’m sure is not remotely interesting.

“Hey, Daddy. I need to borrow Loïc for a minute.”

“Sure thing, love. I need to go check on your mother anyway. I heard her trying to convince your friend Dixon to lift her into some yoga stunt in the living room. I think she might have had one too many cups of that pink drink for any of that silliness.” He shakes his head with a smile and heads off.

Oh, Mom and her acroyoga.

She cracks me up.

“Hey.” I stare up to Loïc’s eyes once we’re alone, running my hands up under his shirt and against his warm skin.

“Hey.” He smirks back.

“If I haven’t already told you, I want to thank you for tonight. You always know just what I need.”

“You have told me.” He grins. “And you’re welcome. I’m glad you’re having a great time.”

“You know what I feel like?” I ask as my hands explore the front of his chest and pay particular attention to his pecs, pulling gently on his nipples.

He clears his throat and rolls his head back before facing me again. “No, what’s that?”

“I feel like I did at the beginning before Afghanistan, before the breakup, before Cali, beforebabies,” I say the last word with an air of disgust that I don’t mean. “Justbefore, you know?”

“I think you feel drunk.” The sides of his lips quirk up into a smile.

I shrug. “Maybe. You know what else?”

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