Page 20 of Silver Secrets

“Yup.”

“Mae!” Lily scolded.

“Live on the edge, Lily!”

“I can’t. I’m nursing Sage, and I didn’t bring my pump so I could pump and dump.”

“Lame. I thought you were wanting to wean her soon anyway? Why not start today!”

Sloane noticed the way her friend’s face fell and quickly rose to her defense. “I don’t think wanting to feed her baby is lame, Mae.”

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way, Lily. You’re freaking wonder woman to me, are you kidding? I’m so sorry.” Mae’s hand landed on Lily’s arm. “I honestly just meant to be silly.”

Lily waved her off. “It’s fine. I’m just feeling sensitive today. Probably all the stress from organizing this thing and wanting it to be perfect for Gunner and the guys, and Jake, too. It will be so nice to have a clinic here in the community. We won’t have to run Sage over to Bell Ridge every time she needs to be seen.”

“Or…” Mae raised her eyebrows and looked at Lily’s hand, which was resting against her stomach. “Maybe you’re feeling emotional for another reason?”

“No. No. We’re having fun practicing, but we have to hold off on another baby for now. My doctor thinks it’s best to push it until Sage is at least two.”

“How are you feeling about that?” Sloane asked.

Courtney’s giggle distracted her from Lily.

“What?”

“That was just a very therapist thing to ask.”

The girls all laughed. She wasn’t wrong. Sloane felt most comfortable when she was able to provide support. It was the easiest way to avoid talking about herself.

“Well, if I’m being honest, I feel scared to let Gunner down. He is such an amazing dad, and I know he’s really looking forward to being there for the whole pregnancy this time. I’m just…”

“Worried about preeclampsia coming back?” Sloane asked. Lily was open about the health scare she had right after Sage was born. She had been lucky that Gunner was there to see the symptoms and get her help.

“Terrified of it. And I responded well to the treatment. I mean, it was postpartum, so it was only my life that was in danger. I can’t imagine how scary it will be when it’s me and the baby.”

“First, it is still terrifying that your life was in danger, and it doesn’t make it any less of a traumatic thing to have gone through just because you’d already given birth to Sage,” Sloane offered. “And second, there’s nothing that says it will happen if you get pregnant again.”

Lily shrugged. “I know. It might not. I just don’t know how to tell Gunner that I’m scared. He’s so all-in. It’s hard not to just fall right in line with his excitement.”

“I think you have to be honest with him. He seems like the most no-nonsense guy, at least from what I’ve seen in class.” Courtney rubbed at her hip as a few runners made their way past the group. “And it’s obvious that you and Sage are the most important things in the whole world to him. I’ve only ever seen the guy smile when he’s looking at you, or holding Sage.”

“He really is the best. You’re right. I need to just put on my big girl pants and talk to him about it.”

“I have no doubt the grumpy ass will bend over backwards to make sure you’re okay. Or maybe he’ll stop bending you over backwards…”

“Mae! God, you are the worst. Why do I put up with you?”

“Because I’m actually the best, and you know it!” Mae’s arm wrapped around Lily’s shoulder and pulled her in for a hug.

“Oh, Sloane. I’ve been meaning to ask, do you have those blankets ready to drop off at the shelter? We’re running low and you mentioned wanting to donate some.” Courtney side-stepped around Lily and Mae, letting her voice drop so they were the only two in the conversation.

Her stomach fell when she realized that she had completely forgotten about the promise she made to Ellie. “Yes! I’m sorry it slipped my mind. I meant to bring them with me for you to take today and just got distracted. I’ll figure out when I can stop over to the shelter and drop them off. Hopefully sometime this week.”

“You know, you could always give them to Gage to drop off. Seems like you two are spending more time together lately.” Courtney’s eyebrows wiggled on her forehead.

“Wait, what? What’s this about Gage and Sloane spending time together?” Mae giggled.

“Gunner told me he saved you from that aggressive client the other night after I left,” Lily said. “I was so worried, I was trying to convince Gunner to go check on you, but Gage came back and said you were okay and on your way home.”

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