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Lexi watches us, her expression a mixture of shock and acceptance. “Is thisactuallyhappening?”
“What?” Carlee finally asks, teasingly raising an eyebrow.
“You’re going to get married. That’s wherethisleads,” Lexi whispers. Her excitement bubbles over.
“No.” Carlee shakes her head, a quick, definitive motion. “We’re just having fun. That’s it.”
“Ah, okay,” Lexi concedes, then glances at me knowingly like she sees the truth hiding behind Carlee’s denial.
I shrug, already familiar with this song and dance. Carlee will not admit anything.
Easton stares at me with his arms crossed, his expression unwavering as he sees through the current situation. The only one living in delulu land is Carlee, and I wonder how long she’ll stay there. She’s averse to love but obsessed with finding it.
“So, we’re all pretending like this isn’t happening?” Lexi asks.
“I’m not pretending,” Easton replies firmly, his lips curling into a smirk.
He won’t speak about what he witnessed. It’s brother code.
Carlee tenses beside me. I can read her like a book. Every shift in her mood speaks volumes.
I lean forward, clapping my hands together. “Okay, that’s enough. We’re not going any further with this discussion. Tell me how the pregnancy is going.”
“Great. I’m so lucky.” Lexi scoots closer to Easton as he interlocks his fingers with hers.
They exchange an adorable smile before he leans down to kiss the top of her head—an intimate gesture that makes my heart swell.
“I think I want to have the announcement party soonish. I’ll be sixteen weeks along then, and I don’t think I can hide it once it gets hotter. No more hiding under big sweaters and oversized coats. So, I was thinking of hosting a surprise announcement with a gender reveal.”
“Yes, that would be incredible,” Carlee says, nodding. “Let’s get together about this tomorrow.”
“Before or after work?” Lexi asks. “I’ll wake up super early for you.”
“I got fired,” Carlee explains, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and sadness. “And I cried even though I’d hated it there.”
“Do you want me to call them?” Easton sits up straighter, a protectiveness radiating from him. It’s clear he’s already accepted this relationship, stepping into the role of big brother without hesitation.
“I already offered,” I say to him, tilting my head as a way of dismissing his concern.
Carlee exhales. There’s a hint of determination in her voice as she says, “I’m returning to LuxLeaks this week, thanks to Weston. I have some things to clear up.”
Lexi’s face lights up. “This is the best news I’ve heard all week. Seems like everything is working out. I do have one request. Can you get married in two months? Any longer, and I’ll be ready to burst.”
I chuckle, amusement sparking in my eyes. “We’re eloping. You’re not invited.”
Lexi gasps. “That would behorrible.”
“That would bepaybackfor doing it to us,” Carlee states, glancing over at me, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
I lift a brow, and she chuckles. Memories of Lexi and Easton running away to get married flood my mind. They were desperate and didn’t want to wait. I understand that urge now.
“Wait, did you already secretly get married?” Lexi asks, eyeing us suspiciously.
“No. You’re acting weird. Both of you are being strange. Let it be. It’snothing.”
I know my tongue being buried deep inside her cunt wasn’tnothing, but she can say whatever she needs to convince herself otherwise. She’s in denial, and I recognize how fucking frightening it can be to feel something after a long period of feeling nothing. Yet Carlee once told me that we don’t get to choose if we fall in love. Love choosesus. And she was right.
“Weston? Do you agree with that? Is it nothing?” Lexi presses, her eyes searching mine for the truth.