Page 47 of Samuel

“And on that note,” Daisy turned to Evie. “What’s going on? Do you need someone to go with you to the doctor’s to ask about some anti-nausea medicine? Can we go with you to Rogersville? They have a bigger grocery store, and I know for a fact they stock some great ginger candies that got me through my nauseous phase with Sunny.”

Evie’s eyes dropped to the corner of her desk, where a bag of ginger candies laid open. She’d been snacking on the treats all morning.

“Oh,” Daisy laughed. “I see Sam wasted no time stocking up.”

“I can’t believe he called you last night. I’m mortified.”

“He cares about you,” Grace smiled. “And so do we. I know we’re new friends, but that doesn’t mean we won’t band together to help however we can.”

Evie’s cell pinged with a notification. Not even the ginger candies could stop her stomach from souring in that moment, knowing without a doubt what she’d see as soon as she turned her phone over.

“Everything okay?” Grace asked.

Shit. She obviously hadn’t hidden her reaction very well.

“It’s fine. Just someone from Wisconsin.”

“How can you know that before you even look?”

“I was expecting it.”

She hoped that saying it that way would convey that she was fine, but both women looked at her unconvinced.

“Can I get you guys something to drink?”

“Oh, we can’t stay long. I have to pick Jack up from Nellie and Tom’s…. That’s Jackson and John’s parents.”

“And then,” Daisy interrupted, “we have to get our bridesmaid dresses tailored.”

“I literally don’t fit into mine with the bump, but I’ll have a newborn by the time the wedding gets here and I have no idea how to gauge where I’ll be shape wise by then.”

“And my boobs are shrinking now that Sunny is starting to wean from breastfeeding. I’m terrified I’m going to have to stuff my bra like I did back in fifth grade just to look nice for John and Abby’s big day.”

“I’m sure you both will look beautiful. Abby is lucky to have you guys stand by her side at her wedding.”

“Well, like we mentioned, once you’re in our group, you’re stuck with us for life.”

“It’s true,” Grace agreed.

“Speaking of that, Emma reminded me to mention that we are all getting together next week. I was going to have Samforce you to come, but now that we’re here chatting, I can be the one to force you.”

Evie laughed. “No forcing necessary. I’d love to.”

“Good. I’ll verify the details with Emma and Abby and I’ll let you know.”

“Just be ready,” Grace laughed. “Things tend to get out of hand one way or another when we all go out.”

Sam stood in the doorway to the office with the surprise he’d picked out for Evie tucked under his arm. He heard her phone go off, and watched as she picked it up.

Her shoulders stiffened and her mouth popped open in…shock? What the hell was going on?

“I didn’t think you’d still be down here.” Sam pushed off the door frame. “Everything went okay today?”

Evie’s eyes jumped to his and for a second he wanted to run to her, the fear so strong in her gaze. But it was gone just as quickly as he’d seen it. She smiled, setting her phone down and stretching as she moved her chair back away from her computer.

“I was able to get a lot of information transferred into the computer program, but nothing stood out as suspicious.”

“What ledgers did you do?”

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