Page 180 of River & Crown
Chosyn shoved the bag into my hands, and I took it happily and walked into the building.
"Van Leeuwen ice cream is not fancy. It's French, bitch!" I laughed.
"Keep laughing. When you pee on that stick and see double lines, keep that same energy."
"How did you get pregnant from French ice cream?" I frowned.
"It's the tortilla chips and the ice cream. No one eats that except serial killers."
"Oh, I know you're not judging Ms. Keep A Blade Under Her Tongue."
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out with Chosyn turning to face me and flashing me her blade.
"And do! Never leave home without it."
All I did was shake my head and knock on Gigi's door.
"'Bout damn time the two of you got here. Lakelyn and I have been sitting here looking stupid, waiting on the two of you." Gigi swung the door open and stepped to the side to let us through.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" I asked, walking over to give her a hug.
"Trying to see my damn daughter who apparently only comes around when she wants something," she scolded, giving me the stink eye.
"Not true. I talk to you every day."
"I would love to see my daughter, too. Keep playing, and Crown will be the only child I claim."
"Um, I didn't do anything, so why am I getting tossed out with her?" Chosyn butted in.
"Y'all are a package deal." Lakelyn shrugged.
"And is!" Chosyn and I high-fived.
"Ice cream and chips?" Gigi pursed her lips together, eyeing me through tight slits.
"Damn, does no one like salty and sweet?"
"Lord, now that dream about the jumping fish makes sense. I thought this one was pregnant again." Gigi tossed her head in Chosyn's direction.
"Never me. I'm one and done."
"Yeah, okay," we all recited in unison.
"Whatever. Navy is on her way, so we still can't eat... now laugh at that!" Stomping off, the three of us shook our heads.
"River, are you..." My mother nodded toward my stomach, and I laughed.
"I don't know. It's possible, but Crown and I aren't on the best of terms."
"I know."
"You know? He told you?"
"Yup." She shrugged. "Come on, Gigi, and let's make ourselves a glass of Zenade — well, everyone except River."
"Chosyn can't drink either. She's breastfeeding," I pouted.
"Phoenix has milk on ice at home. She's good. I'ma pump and dump too, so you're on your own, snitch." Chosyn laughed and walked into the kitchen.
