Page 77 of Sweet Twins For My Brother's Best Friend

“Oh.” She turns back around in her seat and is silent for a moment. “Well, Chris, could I sleep onyourcouch?” She looks over at him expectantly.

He smiles kindly, flashing her his dimples. “Of course, Mrs. Jackson. You’re always welcome at my place.”

We continue to drive in silence. “So that’s it? You’re not mad that I’ve been lying?”

“Hannah, you’ve been lying about a lot more than where you stay,” my mom says quietly, her eyes fixed on something out the window.

I flinch at her response. She continues, “I don’t have the energy to be mad about every little thing. I just want you to be safe and happy.”

I pet my stomach and imagine where my twins are now, small as they are, if they’re near the front or the back or somewhere in the middle. I want to try to feel them, but according to the nurse, I should be careful until my next appointment. I’m just as likely to poke my own IUD as I am to poke the babies right now.

Chris catches my eyes in the rearview mirror and mouths ‘good job.’

Chapter Thirty Four

Christopher

I set Mrs. Jackson up on the couch with a blanket while Hannah lies down on my bed.

Hannah had asked me to sleep in the guest room so that she didn’t have to be embarrassed about her mom thinking we were together.

I had told her “A little too late for that” and touched her stomach, but she pulled away from me and said she was serious.

I bring Mrs. Jackson a couple of extra pillows and show her where the tea is if she decides she wants some later. “Sleep well, Mrs. Jackson,” I tell her.

She accepts the pillows and blanket and smiles at me almost forlornly. “Chris, why don’t you sit down here with me?” She pats the seat next to her.

I do as I’m told, my heart pounding anxiously in my chest. “Are you still angry?” I ask her as I adjust my ankle over my knee. I glance over at her.

She’s taken off all her makeup in preparation for bed and she looks a lot more like the Piper I knew growing up. It’s impossible to ignore that we’re all getting older, as much as we may want to ignore it. And I want to ignore it pretty badly.

“No, Christopher, I’m not mad at you.”

She sighs and pulls a blanket over her bottom half, snuggling into the corner of the couch. “I’m worried about you. About everyone, really.” She lowers her voice and whispers, “She’s so young.”

“She’s an adult and has been for some time.” I raise my eyebrows at her. “Long enough for her IUD to…expire.”

That earns a chuckle out of her, which I’m grateful for. “Well, you’re pretty young yourself, you know. You all look like ants from up here.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “I know the feeling from my own planet of experience.”

“Aw, I know you’ve had it tough, too, with Julie and all. Tyler tells me you were pretty wild after her, girls and more girls.”

“Something like that,” I joke, smiling at her.

She smiles back. “So do you think you’re ready to settle down?”

“Wait, I have to settle down to raise twins?” I ask, widening my eyes like I just realized. “Well, hang on, let me make some calls.”

“I suppose you don’t have to stop dating other women to raise twins. Are you and Hannah casual?”

“Not at all. And we never will be.”

“Chris, you’ve always been such a fun addition to this family. I wouldn’t mind seeing you more. But I’m easy, it’s not really me you have to convince.”

“Oh yeah?” I turn toward her and pull my legs up onto the couch, so that we’re facing each other. “Who do I have to convince?”

“I imagine Tyler won’t be easy.”

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