Page 6 of Why Not Forever?

Reasons Not to Call Emily, item 16: she wanted you to choose between her and Spencer. You will find someone who is confident enough in your relationship that they won’t be threatened by your best friend.

I sigh and set my phone down. Lis is right. With Emily’s past shadowing our relationship, she had never felt secure enough to just let us be together. I can wait to find someone whoissecure. It’s just that, over the past couple years, I’ve watched all three of my best friends find the loves of their lives, Lis being one of them. She’s the only one who knows why I broke up with Emily, having walked in on me crying that day. I never wanted to let the others know how thoroughly I’d fucked up, even though they’d all have my back. Especially Spencer.

It’s the only time I’ve kept a secret from him, but I didn’t want him to feel guilty about how it ended. He’s the reason we finally broke up for good, but it wasn’t his fault.

My phone buzzes again.

Lis

Do you want to come over? Daze and Sophie are on their way. Spencer and I were going to invite you anyway.

I frown at the screen.

Me

Why?

Lis

July is our busy month. It’s going to be hard to get together over the next few weeks.

I drum my fingers on the table, considering the text. Tonight is Sunday. Tomorrow is Derek’s monthly game night, so I’ll see Spencer and Lis then. What she’s saying makes sense about her sister and sister-in-law, but not me.

Me

Is there something you’re not telling me?

The bubbles come up and disappear. A second later, my phone buzzes with a text from someone else.

Spencer

Get your ass over here. I’m not saying anything else.

I smile, because I think I know what’s coming. I pay the bill and walk the few blocks from the restaurant to Lis and Spencer’s apartment in downtown Vancouver, letting myself in with the spare key.

“All right,” I call, walking down the hall to the living room. “I’m here. Tell me.”

Lis’ identical twin sister, Daze, is sitting on the couch with Lis’ corgi Cerberus. Sophie is sitting on the couch outside on the deck, the big glass doors open to make the living room feel bigger than it is. Lis and Spencer are in the kitchen, filling glasses with something bubbly.

Lis’ smile is bigger than I’ve ever seen it and Daze jumps up, seeming to know what’s coming now as well.

“No!” she says.

“Yes,” Lis replies.

The sisters embrace and there are some tears. Sophie comes into the kitchen as well, getting in on the hug. I hang back. Spencer comes over to me and hands me a glass of champagne.

“Lis wanted to tell Daze tonight and everyone else tomorrow. It felt wrong not to tell you, though.”

“Are you actually going to tell me?” I ask, taking a sip. “Or am I supposed to guess? Lis and Daze have some sort of twin telepathy, but we don’t.”

He rolls his eyes. “Like youhaven’tguessed.”

I smile. “I have. But I’d like to hear you say it.”

“Lis is pregnant.” He clears his throat. “I’m going to be a dad.”

I’ve only seen my best friend cry a few times before. When his mom died, when he married Lis, and right now. I wrap my arms around him.

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