Page 93 of Unsure in Love

“Okay, yeah. Luce, I’ve been avoiding you.”

Her expression crumbled.

“I’ve been doing my best to stay away from all of you because I’m a coward.”

My admission hung in the air, adding to the weight of the silence. It was so uncomfortable that I squirmed on the sofa before jumping to my feet.

“I’ve been hiding something from all of you.”

Just then, Nic burst through the door carrying a tray lined with glasses. “Alright ladies, I bought cocktails.” He grinned at Lucy with blatant affection. “But none for you, young lady.”

She smiled, but Nic knew Lucy in and out, so he immediately recognized the forced cheer. He studied the rest of us. “Obviously, I’m missing something. Is everyone okay?”

Lucy glanced at me. “I’m not sure. Cass was just about to tell us something.”

Julian appeared, carrying a pitcher. He caught on to the awkward energy because he paused to assess everyone in the room. “Er… bad timing?” he asked.

“Probably,” April told him. “Although we don’t know what Cass was about to announce.”

He hiked a thumb toward the kitchen. “I’ll go.”

“No, stay,” I said, squaring my shoulders. “You’re engaged to my sister. You’re already a part of the family, and you know all about our parents’ history.”

April’s gaze darted to me and her eyebrows furrowed. “What do our parents have to do with this?”

Tessa’s expression mirrored April’s. She thought my big secret was my pregnancy.

Lucy covered the distance between us. “Cass, you’re really scaring me now. What’s wrong?”

“Everything,” I breathed, fighting down the panic that threatened to consume me. “First,” I turned to Nic, “You should know that I’ve been seeing Damian.”

Nic’s eyebrows shot up. “Huh, and he didn’t even tell me.”

“Because I asked him not to. I wanted to tell you myself out of respect because he’s your friend.”

Looking a little uncomfortable, he shrugged. “If that’s why you’ve been staying away, Cass, that’s crazy. I don’t have a say in who you date. Admittedly, I did warn Damian to stay away from you when he was here for the wedding, but only because I’ve never known him as the serious relationship type, and I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

“He is the relationship type. He’s amazing and so perfect for me and… I’m having his baby.”

Nic’s jaw practically touched the plush gray carpet.

The theatrical gasp came from Ruby. I knew it without even looking at her.

Tessa blew out a breath and murmured, “Thank God. Keeping the secret was killing me.”

“I can’t believe she told you and not me.” April harrumphed but recovered from her annoyance quickly. “Cass, that’s amazing. Congratulations.” She paused. “You are happy, right?”

“So happy,” I whispered. After getting used to the idea, I couldn’t wait to be a mom. Damian had a lot to do with it. Our time together showed me how amazing a family of my own could be.

She clapped. “Good! In that case, come here, you.” She flounced over and caught me in a hug. “I’m ecstatic.”

“Me too!” Ruby squealed.

“Congrats, Cass,” Julian said. “Hey, Wild Child, it’s full time I put a baby in you, wouldn’t you say?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

April’s face turned red. “Julian, get a filter,” she hissed.

He smirked, and Ruby groaned.

---