Page 151 of More than Friends

Declan looks over at me and says, “I had a good teacher.”

I blush.

“So, it’s my turn?” Olivia asks.

“Yup. We’re going to get this furniture set up while you paint,” Declan says. He motions Will to go out in the hallway where all the boxes are set up.

Olivia and I work for a few hours while Declan and Will set up the furniture. The men finish setting up everything, and Olivia gets a huge section of the daytime sky scene finished. As we’re wrapping it up, I cover my mouth as I yawn.

“Bedtime,” Declan says, looking over to me. “I don’t want you to overdo it.”

“Paintbrushes need washing,” I say.

“We’ll get it,” Will says, waving at me to go.

Declan helps me out of the chair and walks me toward the door.

“Oh, one more thing, I meant to ask earlier,” Olivia calls. “I was wanting to get you something personalize for the baby, and I was wondering if you had a name picked out yet.”

I feel Declan stiffen beside me. We haven’t talked once about names. Without looking at him, I say, “We haven’t decided yet.”

She just smiles. “Naming a baby is so hard, isn’t it? I get it. It took us forever to settle on Ansley’s name. Well, if you figure it out, let me know. If not, I’ll just order it after he’s born.”

“Of course,” I say.

They both give me hugs before Declan walks me back to the bedroom. He gets me settled and then says, “I’m going to help them clean up, and I’ll be back when we’re finished.”

I yawn again. “I’ll probably be asleep.”

He leans down and kisses my forehead. “I hope so.”

Sterling Family Group Text

James: Guess whose water broke?

Eli: Keene’s?

Brooklyn: Yikes Keene, you really need to get that looked at.

Keene: It’s not normal?

Will: Elizabeth’s water broke? Are you on the way to the hospital?

Eli: Oh, Elizabeth. That makes more sense.

James: In Marine One, heading that way now.

Eli: The helicopter? Is that necessary?

James: I’m not waiting in traffic.

Keene: Perks of the job.

Juno: I’m dying to know if it’s a boy or a girl. I can’t believe you didn’t find out this time.

James: We’ll know soon enough.

Declan: Send Elizabeth our love. We want lots of updates.

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