Page 73 of All Inn Thyme
I meet Mellie’s gaze and she melts a little. “You mad at the shirts?”
“No, I’m not mad. I just… I love this. I love us.”
“I love us, too,” she says.
“I want to talk to you about something later.” I’m starting to feel guilty, like I need to tell her about the ATF. I’m torn because it’s an active assignment—one I’m not supposed to tell anyone about—but she deserves to know.
“Mellie, can you help me?” Sasha calls from the dining room.
“I’ll be right back,” she says, laying her hand on my shoulder and heading down the hall.
“You two are so sweet,” Allie calls from across the counter. “You’re next!”
“Next for what?” I ask.
“For a family,” she scoffs.
“I hope so,” I confirm.
Her smile widens, pleased to hear this. “Well, I’ll be. You really do love her.”
“Them. I love them,” I correct her with a smile.
“I’m so happy for you,” she says, coming around and giving me a hug.
“Thanks,” I say as I reach for Kase and pull him toward me and flip him in my arms, a move he loves. His giggles are contagious, and I can’t help but smile when he does that.
Evan nods at us, and there it is: the Harper approval. He nods for me to follow him, and we head down toward his office.
“Did you see Mitch?” he asks.
“Seems like a great guy.”
“He is.”
“The ex drove by, but I didn’t make contact.”
“Did you tell her that you went there?”
“Not yet. I’m waiting to wrap up my job at Larkin, and I need to talk to her about some things.” I sigh.
Evan reads me and says, “Don’t wait too long. Not sure how that’s going to go.”
Hearing this makes me nervous and confirms I need to talk to her. Soon. I’m just not sure how to go about it.
* * *
“Alright, guys! Cake first! Then we can eat real food and discuss the babies,” Allie calls out.
Mellie and Margie come in and finish setting up a few things, and then Mellie settles in next to me.
Beth and Evan are at the front table and put their arms around each other. “Okay, are you ready to find out what baby A and baby B are?” Beth asks. “Any guesses?”
“Yes!” the room chatters as everyone throws out their guesses.
Evan and Beth hold the knife together and cut into the first cake and the piece slides out: blue.
“Boy!” Evan booms happily as he pulls Beth in for a kiss.
