Page 120

“Girl, I’m standing here twenty-four weeks pregnant with twins. I’m being told that they want to deliver the twins at thirty-six weeks, and I’m about to meet with Nina Higgins about handing over my entire caseload to her in eight weeks. And I’m not in the least bit phased. All I can think is that the shade of sage green I finally convinced JJ to use had better be drying lighter than what it looked like when I left this morning.”

Okay, maybe I am panicking a bit about what my job will look like when I return to work.

She snorts a hard laugh. “Jesus, in a matter of weeks, you’ll be Mrs. Jones. I keep thinking I’ve died and stepped over to some parallel universe or something.”

I fill my glass with water from the cooler and turn back to her. “The only thing I’m nervous about is meeting his parents. Sure, I’ve met them briefly at games but never to talk to and never as the mother of their son’s children and now fiancée.”

Hollie is amazing. We hit it right off from the moment she walked into our apartment until I dropped her at the airport the next day. The wedding dress and bridesmaid colors were all picked out and in hand.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that babe.”

“No?”

She shakes her head. “Not everyone is like your parents.”

“East called me last night and said they wouldn’t even acknowledge the wedding or my existence at this point.”

The scowl that crosses my friend’s face is enough to sink a thousand ships. “They really are disgusting.”

I nod, but I can’t find the words to describe how truly awful they can be.

“Do you think you’ll ever see or speak to them again?”

A lump forms in my throat. Despite the people they are, they’re still my parents and, ultimately, grandparents to our children. “I don’t know,” I say in a shaky voice. “I think it’s doubtful, and I don’t want to expose anyone, let alone my own blood, to their mean-hearted ways.”

Slowly, she nods. I know she doesn’t have any words to console me because, honestly, saying anything other than acknowledging this shit situation would be a lie.

Her cell buzzes in her hand again. “Jon’s concerned that you haven’t arranged a cake.”

I pick up my phone and start scrolling through the messages when I land on the one Felicity is talking about.

Jon

Let’s discuss cake options. I vote for some kind of buttercream, but avoid lemon. I think that was my only mistake at our wedding. Otherwise the organization and choices were perfection.

JJ

Jon Morgan—humble as ever. Princess, do you want a cake? Personally, I’m happy to take my dessert later on.

My cheeks flush. I know exactly what dessert he has in mind.

Jessie

Annnd I’ve just puked in my mouth.

Jon

I’m reaching suppliers in Alberta right now. You cannot get married without a cake.

Me

Let him organize the cake if it makes him happy.

Felicity

For the love of God, Jon. Haven’t you got a practice to get to? Maybe another season in the NHL wouldn’t be a bad thing. Keep you busy and out of trouble.

Zach