Page 100 of Beautifully Wild

Faith laughs. “Have to ask, though. Are you ready for tonight? You know Dad will fire questions at you—”

“Yeah,” Will interrupts. “I want the popcorn ready for that show.”

“Shut up, Will,” Faith says. “You haven’t been here to see how crazy Dad’s been acting.”

Great. Now I’m more nervous than I was before I arrived.

Will taps away on his phone. “Looks like I’m gonna miss the show,” he says and stands. “Brock’s out front, and I’m heading to his to watch a footy game.”

“You’re supposed to be here for the family dinner,” Faith rouses. She’s already perfected her ‘mother’ voice.

He pushes up from the table. “It’s not going to be a happy one.” He glances at me with an apology and sympathy in his expression. “I’ll see you both over the next couple of days.”

Before Faith has a chance to respond, he’s walking the hallway toward the front door. “Good luck, sis.” His voice echoes from the hall.

“Thanks,” I yell back.

“I don’t know why Dad’s so worked up about you when Will is so erratic. He just doesn’t give a shit what anyone thinks.”

“He’s a teenager.” I shrug, although I wish I could be more like him. “About tonight. I’ve placed the photos in an album. I’ll show you the other ones I mentioned when I come over tomorrow.”

“Yeah, thanks for babysitting on short notice. Jake has another business dinner in the city. In a few more months, I won’t feel up to going.”

“Honey, I’m home,” Jake calls out when he walks through the front door.

Faith rolls her eyes. “He says that every time he arrives home.”

Jake strolls into the kitchen and drops his briefcase in the corner. He takes Faith in his arms and kisses her dramatically until she pushes him away. I can’t help giggling at his antics. He comes to Seb and gives him a kiss on the top of his head.

“How’s my favorite sister-in-law?”

I shake my head at him. “You’re such a suck. Yes, I’m good.”

He holds out his arms for Seb to go to him and I’m surprised when he curls into my chest.

“We’re still catching up on cuddles.” I tighten my arms around Seb, and kiss his cheek with a smack of my lips.

“He did ask for you a lot while you were away,” Jake says warmly. “And thanks for babysitting for us.” He loosens the tie around his neck and unbuttons the top button.

“Not a problem.”

He glances at Faith, then at me, and then at Faith again. “Do I have time for a shower before dinner?”

“Make it quick,” Faith says. “Mum and Dad will be here soon.”

“And I don’t want to miss the main act.” He winks at me before striding toward the door.

Ugh.

I nuzzle Seb, the perfect distraction, and laugh when he giggles. “That sound…” I tell Faith, “… makes my heart swell. I love it.”

She smiles fondly at her son and rubs her stomach. “I hope he’s okay when this little one arrives.”

“Of course, he’ll be fine. He’s bound to have some jealousy, though. But I’m sure it’s natural. You’re a wonderful Mum, and he’ll never feel unloved.”

“You mean like us?” She raises a brow.

“We were loved. Mum and Dad were busy, but we had Gran. And then Dana helped out when Gran traveled. Then if Gran got sick, we always had someone who was here for us.” Seb wiggles, and I lower him to the floor. He runs off to play with his cars scattered across the living room.

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