“I need to take you somewhere warm for the winter,” Finn said.
“Maybe someday when we’re old and retired, we’ll do that.”
“We need to do it now so you won’t suffer like this all winter long.”
“I’m fine, honey. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll always worry about you. I hate when you’re in pain.”
Chloe rested her head on his shoulder. “Don’t fret. We’re supposed to be having fun tonight.”
They all wished they could find the magic elixir that would soothe the pain Chloe lived with every day, but she was a trouper and didn’t want anyone fussing over her.
Nikki’s twin sister, Jordan, yawned for the fifth time in five minutes. Pregnancy was making her so tired she could barely function.
Mason suggested they head home.
“Yes, please. I can’t stay awake.”
They all got up to hug Mason and Jordan.
“Call me tomorrow,” Nikki said to her sister.
“I will.”
“You’re a regular drag, old lady,” their best friend, Gigi, said when she hugged Jordan.
“Wait until you’re knocked up, bitch. You’ll see what it’s like.”
“When can we do that?” Cooper asked. “I’m here for knocking up any time.”
“Easy, stud. We’re in no way ready for that.”
“I’m ready when you are.”
“You’re starting a new business this summer. I’ve got the publicity tour for the new season of the show that I’m doing solo because someone is too pregnant. Where do you see time for a baby in all that mess?”
“I’ll let you have this fight while I go home to sleep,” Jordan said. “Love you all.”
“Love you, too,” everyone at the table said.
“We can go whenever you want,” Riley said to Nikki.
“Let’s stay for one more set.”
“I’m with you, babe. Whatever you want.”
As far as Nikki was concerned, marriage to Riley McCarthy was the best thing ever, and it was getting better all the time.
* * *
The chowder had warmed them up, and the McCarthy cousin wrestling match had kept them entertained, and now… All Sierra wanted was to get the hell out of there so she could be alone with Morgan.
People had stopped by their table to say hello, to ask how Morgan was doing and probably to try to figure out what was going on between them, not that they were giving anything away.
Everyone was being nice and friendly and supportive of Morgan, which he appreciated. They asked about his plans for the gym, and he assured them it would stay open one way or the other. What he didn’t say was whether he’d be the one to manage it or if he planned to turn that role over to one of the employees.
Sierra would like to know the answer to that question, but she wasn’t about to press him for big decisions on their second official date.
