Page 314 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 2
"But I needed an excuse to come visit my sisters." She reached out and grabbed one of each of our hands. "I miss you guys. Skype sessions filled with snotty little kids aren't the same as girl time."
"I'm sure your nieces would very much appreciate your description of them," Daphne said.
She squeezed our hands and let go. "I'm sorry, but you know what I mean. It's hard living across the country and missing out on everything."
"You and Ian could just move back to New York," I said. "You both grew up here. Isn't this home?"
Jen pushed her lips to the side as she thought over what I said. "You know what? I think you're right. Done!"
Daphne and I looked at each other. "What's done?" I asked.
"God, your pregnancy brains are making you slow. Ian and I are moving back to NYC! I was just looking for the right time to tell you!"
"Can you please get over here and hug us so we don't have to get up?"
She laughed and came over to our side of the table.
"I'm so glad you're staying. I was just telling James how much I missed you."
"Me too, Penny. It's time to come home."
"So, what is Ian going to be doing when he comes back to New York?"
"Penny, you can't hire Ian back. It would be so weird now. He'd be working for family."
"I know, but I miss him," I said.
"And now you'll get to hang out with him all the time. Without him driving you around."
"I guess." I pretended to look sad.
"Stop it! You can't hire my fiancé as your driver."
"Wait, fiancé?" Daphne shrieked. She grabbed Jen's left hand.
"It took you bitches long enough to notice this rock."
"Congratulations!" Daphne and I said at the same time.
"Jennifer Hunter, you manipulation artist," Bee said as she walked up to us. "Jen called me a week ago with this crazy idea for a last minute baby shower. When she had zero interest in helping plan the last one. And she told me I had to coordinate everything because I'm on the right side of the country. Right before my wedding. When I've literally never been busier. And itwas all because she wanted to tell everyone she was engaged. It was always all about you."
"Psh. That's not at all true," Jen said.
Bee shook her head. "Yes it is. But I am happy for you." She gave Jen a hug.
"Fine, you caught me, it is true. Not that I'm not excited about new nieces or nephews. But I'm engaged! And I'm moving back to New York!" She jumped up and down. "I am sorry for stealing the show, though." Jen put her hand on my shoulder.
She wasn't really sorry. But I was totally fine with that. I was just happy she was staying for good. Now we'd all be here. I smiled to myself.
Oh, shit.Except for Melissa. How did I forget about Melissa? "Hey guys, where is Melissa?" I asked.
"It was so last minute, she couldn't make it either."
"Oh, yeah. Of course." I had already asked about why my Mom wasn't there earlier. Bee said it was just a small thing thrown by friends. No grown-ups allowed. Which made me laugh because we were all grown-ups now, despite what we all thought. Besides, I knew what she really meant. Whenever anyone's mother was invited to something, Jen insisted that her mother be invited too.
Jen was quicker to forgive than the rest of us. Scarlett and Sophie hadn't met their grandmother on the Hunter side. I wasn't sure they ever would. I truly did believe in secondchances. I drew the line at millions of chances, though. James, Rob, Daphne, and I were a unified front on this. Bee, Mason, and Matt were too. Maybe Jen had a bigger heart than us. No, James' mother hadn't been holding the gun. But she had helped enable a lunatic. She had taken Isabella's side over her son's side. I couldn't forgive any of that.
My son kicked me hard in the ribs.Ow.I wasn't sure if he was kicking me because I was unforgiving or because I hadn't once thought about Melissa. All of my friends were here. How had I completely missed the fact that she wasn't?
