Page 23 of The Complication with the Best Man

The sound of a high-pitched giggle draws our attention, and Adley pushes her way through everyone, clearly on a mission toward us.

“C’mere, squirt.” Rohan scoops Adley up, setting her on his lap. She picks up the fork and piles food on it.

“You my baby,” she says to him, and he opens his mouth, allowing her to slide the fork between his lips.

“Actually, I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” I say to him.

“What’s up?” Adley holds a roll in front of his mouth, and he opens, nibbling the bun.

“Good, baby,” Adley says. “Now you have to eat your veggies.”

While Adley tries to fork the salad, I say, “I have some clients from Vermont, and they want to arrange activities for their guests while they’re here for the wedding. Alaska stuff. Like, go home and brag you did what you can only do in Alaska stuff.”

“I’m your man. What time of year?” He opens his mouth and Adley pushes in one tiny piece of lettuce that’s dripping with dressing.

“End of October.”

He nods slowly, pretending to chew, I think, just so Adley doesn’t try to feed him anymore. After he swallows, he continues, “I’ll put together some options and send them your way.”

Adley squirms on his lap, clearly done with Rohan being her baby.

“What do you think, squirt? What should we do with the city folk?” He tickles her sides, and she laughs and wiggles in his hands. Rohan groans and sets his hand on his stomach, leaning back in the chair.

“Baby full?” Adley asks, looking at his hand with concern.

“Yeah, this is baby’s second plate.” He gives her a smile.

Adley puts the fork back on the plate. “You need to take one of those tests.”

Rohan cocks his head. “What tests?”

The hair on the nape of my neck stands on end. My biggest fear is about to come true. Adley is going to rat me out without even knowing it.

“We had one at home. Mommy said you take it when your tummy is upset to see if you’re sick.”

“What kind of tests are these?” Rohan smirks, looking over her at me, probably thinking I’ll share the same amusement as him. Meanwhile I’m internally screaming no, no, no, over and over again.

“Two pink lines is sick.”

Rohan laughs, again his eyes catching mine, and I let out a fake laugh to appease him.

I close my eyes because it’s out. Here it comes. My entire family is about to find out at my uncles’ birthday party that I got knocked up by my one-night stand. Open up, floor, and swallow me whole.

Palmer is clearing some plates at the other end of the table, and her head whips in my direction. We stare at each other wide-eyed. Damn Adley for being too smart for her age.

Rohan looks at Palmer, but she’s already on her way to us. “Something you want to tell us, cuz?”

I close my eyes and inhale a few deep breaths to combat the tightness in my chest. I open my eyes, and I’m about to spill the news and save Palmer the trouble of having to think of some lame-ass lie, but she speaks before I can.

“Well, this wasn’t exactly how I was going to announce it, but yes, Hudson and I are pregnant.” She stares at me the entire time she delivers the news.

My mouth drops open. She’s pregnant?

Emotions war inside me. I’m excited for my cousin and best friend, but I’m hurt that she didn’t tell me. There’s also another part of me that is thrilled we’ll be pregnant together.

“Mommy, you’re having a baby?” Adley jumps off of Rohan’s lap and rounds the table, rushing over to hug her mom.

Hudson must hear the commotion of everyone cheering and offering congratulations because he makes his way over. “What’s going on?” He kisses Palmer’s temple and wraps his arm around her back.

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