Page 49 of Hot Momosa

The trio of toddlers sat in a semicircle near the Christmas tree. Rocco gnawed on a plastic block while Ella and Gunnar each built their own masterpieces.

“It’s uncanny.” Shanna pressed a hand to her lower abdomen. “I guess I don’t have to wonder what mine will look like.”

“Wait.” My mouth fell open. “You’re pregnant?”

She grinned.

“You? The woman who swore she’d never have kids?” I glanced between her and Maggie. “Did you know about this?”

“Nope.” Maggie smiled, but it seemed forced. “Congrats. I bet Enzo is over the moon.”

“He’s quite proud of his sperm.”

“What’s perm?” Gunnar wrinkled his nose.

“Perms make your hair curly.” I turned back to Shanna. “You’re going to need to grow a brain-to-mouth filter before the baby arrives.”

Gunnar patted his mop of dark curls. “I have perm.”

“Me too.” Ella placed both her hands on her head.

Gunnar took the opportunity to steal two of her blocks while she was distracted, and of course, Ella let out a blood curdling scream.

Maggie and I shot to our feet. While I negotiated with the tiny terrorist, she opened one of the oversized duffle bags and presented the children with books, puzzles, and two chunky tablets.

When I returned to the couch, Shanna had gone pale. “Are you okay?”

She nodded without tearing her gaze from the toddlers. “Are they always so loud?”

“You haven’t seen anything, yet.” Maggie smirked. “Wait until bath time.”

“Or when you’re trying to convince them to eat. Right before you got here, Gunnar threw a fit because he wanted cereal on a plate.” I laughed despite the tension in the air, or perhaps to break it. “I had no idea that bowls are for babies.”

Shanna waved her hand. “Stop trying to freak me out. Why didn’t you tell me about the B-R-E-A-K-I-N?”

Maggie laughed. “Look at you. Already watching what you say.”

Shanna flipped her the finger. “Seriously, Dahl. I’m hurt. We’re friends and I had to hear about this from Evelyn?”

“I was planning to call both of you, but I haven’t had time to breathe. I’ve been operating in crisis mode.” The mental image of Leo’s mother telling the world my personal business flashed through my mind. “I hate that you heard it from her, of all people.”

“There’s no such thing as a secret in this family.” Maggie seemed to realize what she’d said and snapped her mouth shut.

She’s taking this hard.

I reached forward and took her hand. “Maggie, I know you’re upset with the choices Leo and I have made. I really am sorry for lying to you, and everyone else, for so long.”

“I get it. You were in an impossible situation and scared.” She sighed. “I’ll be okay once the shock wears off.”

“For the record, I would have done the exact same thing. The whole M-A-F-I-A thing freaks me out,” Shanna said.

Maggie nodded and forced a smile. “I probably would have made the same decision.”

“Great. Now that we have that settled…” Shanna made a sour face. “Any word from that jackas—rabbit—investigator your dad hired?”

I’d spoken to Shanna about the stalker on several occasions. She’d earned her private investigator’s license last year and opened her own agency, but I’d avoided hiring her outright. As my friend, there were inherent conflicts of interest with her taking on my case. Not to mention, my father and Robert had insisted their guy had it under control.

“No, but I’d like you to look into something for me.” I hated to ask, but Harry visiting at the same time as the break-in bugged me. “I saw Harrison yesterday. He refuses to give up on the whole marriage thing.”

---