Page 118 of Stepping Up to the Plate

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Carina says.

“I’m with Meatball,” Tiffany agrees. “You aren’t going to get to enjoy the moment as much in that setting. Wait for him to come home. Plus, that gives us time to plan out a fun way to drop the news. He is going to be ecstatic.”

“You think?” I muse.

“Oh yeah,” Carina interjects. “That man has had baby fever since he put a ring on your finger. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out he planned this.”

I snort out a laugh. “You’re probably right, but I can’t blame this on him unless me double-booking a call with the travel agent during my OB visit is somehow his fault.”

“I mean the trip was his idea. Tracks for me,” Raven says, causing us all the giggle.

We haven’t been reconnected long, but having her back in my life has been incredible. Being surrounded by people who knew me before I was married and who know the me I am now is a blessing. I lost myself during those years in St. Louis. I don’t even recognize the woman I was there. The new me is full of strength and joy and supported by amazing people.

“Oh shit,” Carina mutters looking at her phone.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Trade alert.” When she passes me the phone, I read the headline: GEORGE ‘RAMBO’ RIVERA TRADED TO THE NASHVILLE SONGBIRDS

“It’s a sign!” I exclaim.

“How do you figure that?”

“With Georgie in Nashville, all my people will be here to be a part of my baby’s life.” I am thrilled by the prospect. The only important people not living here are my father and Aunt Teresa, but it is only a matter of time before she makes the move. I bet the second Carina gets pregnant, she puts her house on the market. Maybe I can convince her to start trying soon so our babies can be besties.

Emerging from the kitchen with snacks, Tiffany asks, “What’s this about George being in Nashville?”

“Chicago traded him here!”

“Just what we need, another self-righteous douche bucket around,” she grumbles.

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened between you two?” The night Brady and Georgie realized they were both connected to me, he also met Tiffany. I was already home, but something clearly went down between the two. The tension between them at my wedding last month could’ve been cut with a knife.

“Nothing to tell,” she replies flippantly. I’ll let it slide for now, but I’ll get it out of her, eventually. Tonight, I am going to soak up the excitement that Brady and I are moving into the next phase of our lives.”

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