Josie narrowed her eyes. “Well, we could bribe them with all the perks New York has to offer. Or with a potential niece or nephew.”
Isabelle’s eyes widened as she glanced at her sister’s belly.
“What?” Ian asked.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Dylan added.
“No, no. I’m not pregnant. Sorry for the false alarm. But Hunter and I have been talking, and I feel like I’ve finally reached a good place where I don’t have to work every minute I’m awake, so I’d have time for a little nugget.”
Isabelle hugged her sister tightly.
“Hell, yeah! I don’t even have time to breathe right now, but wait until I have a nephew on my hands.”
Hunter kissed his wife’s forehead. “Judging how Jonas is faring, I think our baby will have more family than he needs.”
“There is no such thing as too much family,” Tess said.
Ryker was nudging Heather with his arm, wiggling his eyebrows.
Heather laughed. “Okay, I guess this is the perfect moment to announce it. I am pregnant. We wanted to tell you all this weekend.”
There was a chorus of congratulations right before Tess, Isabelle, and Josie hugged Heather tightly. The guys shook hands with Ryker. After we sat back down, Cole squeezed my hand under the blanket. I squeezed it right
back, smiling.
“One shot was all it took,” Ryker said proudly.
Tess groaned. “Brother, that goes in the too-much-information category.”
“Sorry, you’re right.” Judging by his grin, he wasn’t one bit sorry.
“You said you were thinking about it a few months ago. How is that one shot?” asked Cole.
Ryker’s grin widened. “There’s been a gap between thinking and actively trying.”
“Congratulations. Let’s drink to that,” Tess exclaimed, clapping her hands. Her eyes were misty but also warm with emotions. “Oh, that’s why you insisted we buy champagne,” she told Heather.
“Yes! I mean, of course, it’s for you lot, not for me, but I thought we’d all enjoy it.”
Ryker went inside, returning with an iced bottle and plastic cups, because that was all we had. But we were all so excited that we’d have just shared the bottle otherwise.
“To the new generation,” Ryker said.
“And relaxing weekends with family,” Hunter added.
Tess held her glass a notch higher. “And to all of us remaining singletons finding our matches.”
Ian and Dylan vehemently shook their heads.
“Well, between tours, online sessions, and actual sessions, I don’t even have time to miss dating, and I never thought I’d say that,” Isabelle said. “But as soon as things settle down, I’m back in the game.”
Tess winked at her. “Girl, take it from someone who just went through a few rough years. Starting something takes a lot of time and energy, but it’s going to get better.”
“Definitely,” Josie promised.
“And you can always find time for dating,” Tess said brightly. “I always did. Mostly unsuccessfully, but who cares? You have to keep trying, right?”
“No,” said Dylan in such a serious tone that we all started laughing. Tess was so different from everyone I knew. She was open and optimistic, always wearing her heart on a sleeve.