“I’m not, I’m not. Promise.”
I give her a knowing look. Her hopes were already in the sky.
Chapter Two
Lily
“Youcouldhaveatleast put a little effort in.” Layla’s smile falls as she opens the front door wider to let me into her home.
“I did,” I tell her as I breeze by.
She shuts the door then turns to face me. She crosses her arms and gives me the up and down, disgust across her face.
“Luckily he isn’t here yet. You can find something in my room,” she says.
I roll my eyes, dropping my bag on the couch next to me. “Listen, I’m comfortable, and that’s all I care about.”
I look down at my outfit. Purple running shoes, black joggers and a white shirt with our company logo on it. Then I smile up at my sister, who is shaking her head.
“I put mascara on, does that count?” I ask her.
“Yeah, like one percent,” she replies.
“If he doesn’t like me like this then I don’t want it.”
“Whatever. Come help me finish up dinner,” my sister says to me.
I follow her into the kitchen where Jacob is standing at the stove, stirring something that smells amazing. She really lucked out with him. He’s quite literally gorgeous. Sharp jawline, tan skin, inky black hair that is always faded perfectly, and stunning blue eyes. I won’t even get into his six-foot five frame and how you can tell he hits the gym daily, or the fact that he treats her like a queen.
“Whatcha makin’?” I ask him as I take a set at the island in the center of their kitchen.
“Just caramelizing some onions for cheesesteaks.”
Did I mention he also cooks? And let’s not forget the fact that he builds stuff. He’s built almost every piece of furniture in this house. He even built their baby’s new crib, with a matching dresser. My sister wanted a princess theme and Jacob did not disappoint. The crib looks like it should be in a palace, with swooping sides and amazing floral detail.
My sister put a big serving bowl in front of me then all the fixings to make a salad.
“You can handle this, yeah?” she asks me.
I roll my eyes and nod my head. As she turns away from me I see her wince. I look closely to see her holding under her belly, her expression pained. Jacob is over to her before I even have the chance.
“Are you, ok?” he asks her.
She takes a deep breath and stands up straight, attempting to stretch upwards.
“It’s just ligament pain. No worries. It’s normal,” she replies.
“Oh good,” I say. “I’m not ready to be an aunt tonight.” I laugh but Laylashoots daggers through me with her glare.
“Well, I am ready to not have a human being inside me,” she replies before taking a few steps to a bar stool next to me, her husband beside her. One hand on her lower back, the other holding her hand. “I’m ok,” she says sweetly while waving him away.
She rotates her chair to me. “I’m also ready for him to stop being such a worry wort,” she says to me quietly through gritted teeth. I bite my lips together to hold in a laugh while I look at her husband, who is back at the stove.
I get back to adding the items to the bowl, creating a very festive salad. Two different kinds of lettuce, red peppers, orange peppers, cucumbers, bacon bits, croutons, purple onions, shredded cheese and my favorite, olives.
“He should be here any minute. Are you nervous?”
“Not really. It’s either going to work or it isn’t. I’m not going to push it.”