“You can’t,” I agreed. “The rules of wooing don’t allow it.”
“You have to stop saying ‘wooing.’ You’re freaking me out.”
“I’ll see what I can manage.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yup. You won’t regret it. I promise you that.”
21
TWENTY-ONE
“Nothing fits!”
I was a complaining mess when I emerged from my bedroom and threw an armful of clothes at Pearl, Opal, and Olivia. They’d invited themselves over to help me prepare for my date with Rex. A date I’d been determined was never going to happen.
Yet here I was melting down in fantastic fashion.
Opal picked up the filmy top that had hit her in the face and regarded it with dubious interest. “You were going to wear this?” It was a camisole top for under one of my suit jackets. “I guess that makes sense,” she mused. “You can’t get pregnant a second time.”
I narrowed my eyes until they were dangerous slits. “I hate you right now,” I muttered.
She smirked. “I can see why you would.” After tossing the camisole to the side, she sipped the wine Olivia had brought to take the edge off. Since I was the edgy one, it obviously wasn’t working.
“Take a breath,” Olivia suggested. She looked more amused than worried. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“How can you even say that? I’m going out on a date with your brother. Who thought that was a good idea?”
“You did when he had the Mardi Gras of flower arrangements and balloons delivered during snack time,” Pearl replied. She was in the kitchen staring at the flowers. “It’s weird because all these colors together should look ridiculous but it’s kind of pretty.”
“Right?” Opal bobbed her head in agreement. “It’s much prettier than it has any business being.”
“The balloons are a bit much.” Pearl tapped one of the heart balloons with her index finger. “It’s as if they’re trying to convey a message. I get the hearts and the stork—which is just kind of funny—but what’s the deal with the diamonds.” She didn’t wait for anybody to respond. “Ooh. Maybe he’s going to propose.”
I glared at her with the sort of disdain I reserved for my father. “Are you trying to kill me?”
She laughed at my discomfort, which only made things worse. “You’re wrapped so tight the burritos at the Mexican place downstairs are jealous. Olivia is right. Take a breath.”
“You take a breath,” I fired back. “How can you not understand why I’m upset? I don’t fit into any of my clothes.”
“Yes, well, whose fault is that?” Pearl’s gaze went to my stomach. “It’s actually kind of a date for three people,” she mused, her amused tone setting my teeth on edge. “Like … you, Rex, and your illegitimate baby are going out to dinner. It’s kind of cute.”
Who said “illegitimate” in regard to a baby these days? “You’re supposed to be helping me,” I barked. “You’re supposed to be calming me down. Do I look calm?”
“You look as if you’re about to pass out,” Olivia replied. She left her wine on the coffee table and crossed to me. “Let’s be calm, shall we?”
“Do not talk to me as if I’m two,” I gritted out.
She ignored the warning. “Is there a reason you haven’t purchased any maternity clothes?”
That felt like a trick question. “What’s the point? I’ll only be able to wear them once or twice before they become obsolete.”
“What about if you and Rex decide you want another baby? You still have time.”
“Actually, the doctor says my fertility will go out the window with each passing year. This is probably it for us.” Something horrible occurred to me. “What if he wants more than one kid?” I was appalled at where my brain had gone. “What am I saying? We’re not even going to make it to the third date.”
“That’s the ticket.” Opal bobbed her head. “Be a defeatist at the start. That won’t turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy or anything.”
