He washes his hands and then vanishes down the hall, saying something about getting a toy to show Uncle Nate.
I grab a bunch of toilet paper and wrap the used sticks with it. There. Now it’s impossible to see them, and who’
s going to go digging around in the garbage anyway? Most people will probably assume there’s a used sanitary napkin or something inside.
I check around the bathroom, making sure there isn’t any other incriminating evidence, then wash my hands again and go downstairs. Nate is outside, next to a gigantic chrome grill, holding a beer. I see two empty bottles in front of him and shake my head. I know he enjoys drinking, but he needs to be careful. He’s already at his limit.
Meanwhile, Barron is hogging the grill, laughing at something Justin is saying. As he flips a burger, our eyes meet and he smiles and waves.
I wave back with a grin that hurts my face.
A petite blonde comes in from outside, carrying a girl who looks like herself, except for the stubborn set of her jaw. The blonde woman is in a white scoop-neck top and teal skirt that ends two inches above her knees. Her small feet are bare, her toenails pink.
A tall, dark man with piercing blue eyes hovers nearby, like he’s afraid she’s going to break. The scene is so incongruent to the cold aloofness in his general demeanor that I can’t help but laugh inwardly.
“Hi. I’m Sophia. You must be Evie,” she says. “Sorry I can’t shake hands with you. Isabella can be a handful, and she wants to come down and chase after Ryan.”
God bless Sophia. Otherwise I would’ve had to explain the workings of pregnancy test kits to both kids. “That’s okay. Nice to meet you. And hi, Isabella.”
The little girl ignores me.
“She’s a bit of a princess. Her dad spoils her.”
“I bet. She’s really cute.”
“I do not,” the man next to her says emphatically. “I’m Dane. Sophia’s husband.”
“Hi. Nice to meet you.” He doesn’t seem interested in saying more, and I rapidly find myself hoping something will distract him from giving me this icy scrutiny. It’s like he can see right through me…and X-ray vision into my belly.
“You want something to drink?” Sophia asks. “Vanessa makes great sangria and mimosas.”
“Um, I’m okay.” No drinking with a baby on board. The moment the thought pops into my head, I feel slightly dizzy. I really am pregnant. What do I do? How am I going to I tell Nate?
I note that my mom has arrived, too. She’s dressed in her Sunday best—a beige dress with a pleated skirt and low pumps—and is chatting with a slim brunette by a huge flower arrangement near the fireplace.
Relief floods through me. Nate sent a plane and a driver, but I wasn’t sure if they’d made it to the mansion yet. I feel slightly guilty that I haven’t checked up on her even once today.
“Excuse me. I should say hi to my mom.” I need to get her away from the crowd and get some advice. Mom will know what to do.
Justin comes inside, carrying a huge plate laden with hamburgers and hot dogs. Nate follows, his platter heavy with grilled corn on the cob and a few chicken breasts.
“Is Barron still hogging the grill?” Blanche asks from her armchair.
“Yes.” Justin rolls his eyes.
“The man acts like he’s never seen a grill before,” Nate says, then looks at me. “You feeling better?”
“Much,” I lie, because what else can I say? I can’t tell him I’m pregnant, especially not in front of everyone. I haven’t had time to process that bombshell myself.
“Daddy!” Ryan appears, running toward Justin.
“Hey, buddy!” Justin says. Someone takes his plate, and Justin sweeps his child up into the air. “How you doing? Having fun?”
“Yeah! Daddy, did you know that you can get a cross if you pee on a stick?”
I suck air in hard as the world seems to tilt. That little shit!
Justin looks at his son, utterly bemused. “Uh… What exactly were you doing outside?”