I can easily imagine how our mom would react to the pregnancy news. She’d be thrilled, of course—but the wedding would instantly become secondary. Everything would become about the baby. Dress alteration discussions would turn into debates about maternity wear. The reception menu would be scrutinized for foods safe during pregnancy. Josie would spend the rest of the week fielding questions about baby names and parenting styles.
And the attention? All on Josie’s still-flat belly instead of Josie herself.
Mom might even suggest postponing the wedding until after the baby arrives so they could have those perfect family photos with their newborn. She’d start knitting little booties during the ceremony and make the toast about her future grandchild rather than the new happy pack.
That’s exactly why Josie’s waiting to tell her. This wedding is her moment, pregnancy and all. She deserves to be the bride, not just the incubator.
I squeeze her hand reassuringly. “Your secret’s safe with me. For what it’s worth, I think you made the right choice in waiting to tell Mom. She’d completely hijack your wedding.”
Josie laughs with visible relief. “Remember when our cousin, Angela, got pregnant? Mom showed up at her baby shower with a real estate agent to discuss houses for sale in better school districts.”
“Poor Angela hadn’t even picked out a preschool yet,” I add, shaking my head.
We share a knowing smile, that special understandingthat only comes from growing up with the same parent. For all the ways Josie and I are different, we’re united in our intimate knowledge of Hurricane Margaret.
While Josie and Holly continue to chat, I take a slow sip of my champagne, savoring the bubbles that dance across my tongue. The conversation fades to background noise as I contemplate the tangled web of secrets we’re all trapped at the center of. I’m keeping Josie’s pregnancy secret from our mother, keeping my history with her fiancés secret from Josie, and pretending my fake pack is real to everyone else.
Guilt prickles at the edges of my conscience, but I push it away. What good would telling Josie do now? She’s glowing with happiness, one hand absently resting on her stomach as she laughs at something Holly says.
Her alphas—my exes—are providing for her, excited about the baby, planning a future together. All the things I didn’t want, she does. Our history shouldn’t stand in the way of that.
I take another sip, longer this time, letting the alcohol warm my veins. The truth would only shatter her world, and for what? So I can get the truth off my chest to make myself feel better?
No, some secrets are meant to be kept. Some truths need to stay buried.
Whatever happens after this week, whatever choices I make about my future, I know one thing with absolute certainty—protecting Josie’s happiness is worth any price I have to pay.
TWENTY-NINE
TRINITY
I standin front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom, smoothing down the black sheath dress I chose for tonight’s bachelorette party. The silk clings to my curves in all the right places, and for once, I actually feel confident about how I look. Maybe it’s the lingering effects of last night, or the slowly fading effect of the suppressants, but I feel more like myself than I have in months.
Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, and I catch Matheo’s reflection in the mirror as he presses a soft kiss to my neck.
“You look incredible,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice still rough from sleep. “Though I’d be happy to help you try on something else if you want to strip down.”
I give his reflection in the mirror a playful smile. “I’m assuming I wouldn’t be getting dressed again.”
His answering smile is wolfish. “I’m more than happy to stay in tonight if you’d like.”
I laugh, leaning back into his solid warmth. “Tempting, but I can’t abandon Josie for her bachelorette party.”
His hands slide up to rest just below my breasts, thumbstracing lazy circles that make my breath catch. “What if I made it worth your while?”
“Matheo,” I warn, though there’s no real heat in it. The idea of staying in with all four of them is incredibly appealing, especially after the revelation about Josie’s pregnancy. I could use a night of uncomplicated pleasure.
But I’m the maid of honor. I have responsibilities.
Not that I’m looking forward to it. Keeping Josie’s pregnancy a secret during a night out meant for cutting loose is going to be difficult.
“Fine,” he sighs dramatically, though his eyes remain heated as he studies me in the mirror. “But I expect to be rewarded for my patience later.”
I turn in his arms, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. “I think that can be arranged.”
Matheo immediately pulls me closer to deepen the kiss, tongue dancing sensually along mine until the taste of him explodes in my mouth.
God, he tastes good.
