“You know, for someone so smart, you sure have a hard time understanding that I want to spend all my free time with you, whether I’m tired or not.” He flashes those dimples. My insides turn to goo as he pulls me up from the couch and nestles his lips against mine. “Now that I’m holding you, I have all the energy in the world.”
The hormones are making me lightheaded or something. I definitely didn’t swoon just now. But it takes a minute for my head to stop spinning before I can stumble to the door for my purse.
The parking lotis packed when we pull into the strip mall, leaving exactly one spot open in front of the studio. The nickel arcade at the end of the mall is a bustling spot for date nights on Thursdays, but I’ve never seen it this busy before. Trevor comes around to open my door, and I play with my keys while we walk hand in hand to the studio.At least Emily remembered to shut the lights off this time. He shifts behind me, ever my protector in the darkness while I fiddle with the lock. I don’t miss the gentle hand he’s pressed to the small of my back as I reach for the lights. And then my mouth drops. I’m met with the smiles of everyone who’s important to me as I blink against the sudden brightness.Silent smiles.No yelling. Trevor presses a kiss to my neck and whispers, “Surprise, Gem.”
I turn wide eyes to him, and he smirks, steering me into the pink streamer-covered studio. Our small pod of friends and family mill around the room, moving out of crouched spaces toward the tables set up in the middle. Chase ushers Kayla and her large belly to a seat. Hunter hovers over a wireless speaker, while Ashlie chats with Trevor’s mom and sisters excitedly. Even Sam is here, entertaining my three employees at the front desk. “When did you plan all of this?”
“After we went shopping for baby clothes. I asked our sisters for help. Emily too.” He squeezes my hand as I look around the room again. “You were just so down on yourself. I wanted to remind you how much support you have now.” He drops a peck on the top of my head.
“Okay, T, you can’t hog her all night,” Maya says. She and Lainey loop their arms around each of mine.
“Yeah, she’s got presents to open and people to hug.” Lainey sticks her tongue out at her brother, eliciting a chuckle from him as she pulls me toward the food table. “Please tell me he’s lightened up…”
“Not in the slightest.” I laugh at the faces the two sisters make at each other. They’re tired of his antics for me.
“He was so worried we wouldn’t be able to pull this off without you finding out,” Maya says.
“I think pregnancy brain helped with that. I feel like the dumbest person lately.”
Maya smiles, nodding knowingly. “How are you feeling otherwise? Twenty-five weeks, right?”
“Yeah. All good. Everything’s going smoothly now.” I glance back at Trevor, who’s laughing about something with Sam. He catches my eye with a smile, winks at me, and returns to his conversation so smoothly, I doubt Sam even realized.
With a plate full of food, I make my way to the table where Kayla and Chase are sitting. Chase presses a kiss to her temple before he stands and heads toward Hunter.
“Twins! You’ve got to be more exhausted than I am,” I say, slipping into the chair on the other side of Kayla. “But you’re glowing!”
“Girl, I’msweating.” She laughs, her deep bronze skin glistening as she fans herself. “This whole pregnancy thing is kicking my ass. I just hope they stay in there as long as possible…” Turning in her seat, she searches my face. “How are you feeling? I heard about everything. That must have been so scary!”
“It was, but the bed rest was the worst part.”
“Ugh. I can’t even imagine.” A grimace scrunches her face as she sweeps her dark locs over one shoulder. Kayla’s about as much of a workaholic as I am, so I know she understands how hard it was. She grew up with us in Fort Bender, and even though she’s my sister’s best friend, we’ve always gotten along pretty well. “Thestudio looks great, Willa. I haven’t been since you repainted. It’s completely you.”
“Thanks, girl.” My eyes sweep the lavender walls as I nod at my pride and joy, landing on the neon logo right above my employees at the front desk. Having everyone I care about in the space I’ve worked so hard to build brings tears to my eyes.How did I get this lucky? I may not have the best relationship with my parents, or a squeaky-clean past with relationships, but I have this, and I have every single one of them.
“Heyyy,”Ashlie sings. Hunter and Chase follow behind her. “I just wanted to thank you both for making me an auntie. You need more food? Water? Whatever it is, Hunter will grab it for you.”
Hunter sucks his teeth. “I will, but only to show Ashlie how good I’ll be when it’s our turn…”
“Hunt,”Ashlie growls, bumping him with her hip. “You said you’d drop it.”
“Naw. I said I wouldn’t ask you anymore. And I didn’t.” He throws an arm over her shoulder and kisses her temple. “You guys think I’ll be a good uncle, right?”
“Sure, man,” Chase squeaks out, avoiding his gaze.
“Won’t be watching my kids,” Kayla mumbles before taking a sip of her water.
Hunter’s face falls into a scowl, and Ashlie laughs, patting his chest. “You’ll be great, love.”
“Don’t worry, Hunter. I’ll let you babysit,” I say.
“See! Willa’s got some faith in me.” Hunter claps me on the shoulder. Everyone is so tough on him, but he’s one of the most observant people I’ve ever known. He plays it cool, acts like nothing fazes him, but I think he’ll do great as an uncleanda dad.
“Will!” Sam whispers loudly from across the room, beckoning me with a head tilt. I excuse myself to see what’s been so funny. He waits for my nod before pulling me into a hug, his familiar woodsy scent wrapping me in nostalgia, back to the days when hewas the only one I had. “I was just warning Trevor that you might be hearing from your parents soon.”
“Sam’s gutsier than I am.” Trevor laughs. “Called them out in the middle of the grocery store.”
I chuff. “They knocked you down a peg, huh?”
