Page 88 of Close Match

I lunge. My voice comes out strong when I start singing another song fromMiss Me.

Can’t you see?

His love for me is real.

Don’t be mad at me, just feel,

That he’s the only one for me.

That’s when I hear a voice behind me that sends my heart soaring in a different kind of way.

I will never love again,

She’s my heart until the end.

Stop trying to pretend.

You don’t want her will to bend.

I turn around and find Simon singing. Lounging against the doorway is a very pregnant Bristol with Monty hovering behind her. “Go on,” she encourages us both. Simon meets me in the center of the room and clasps my hand before spinning me out and back. We fall into the easy pas de deux as we sing the refrain.

I miss you now

I miss you more

Take me back to what was before

I miss you now

I miss your heart

Don’t let time keep us apart

Don’t let love tear us apart

I end up bent back over Simon’s leg in a swoony move. Normally we’d kiss at this point, thereby ending the scene but beginning the cilantro war. Instead, he whoops and lifts me, swinging me around in circles. “Good God, I missed you.”

“Oh, what perfect timing you have.” I hug him back hard.

“As always, darling.”

I laugh before I start beating him on the shoulder so I can run over to Bristol. Her stomach reaches us before I can fully get my arms around her. “Damnit, Bris. I thought I said to come only if it was safe.” I feel such overwhelming guilt. I wanted my whole family here for the holidays, sure, but not at risk to my sister or future nephew’s health.

“Please. I wouldn’t have got on the very comfortable jet where Simon proceeded to throw back the Scotch and sodas…”

“It was only a few,” Simon protests. Bristol’s eyes roll so far I’m afraid she’s going to pass out.

“Is this why is your sister is pissed at her husband?” Monty comes to stand at my side. “She bitched at him the whole ride here.” He drops a kiss on my head before nuzzling his cheek against the top of it.

“Hi,” I murmur up at him. “Oh, they’re both—”

“Petrified to fly. So by tossing down a few, my darling husband decided to worry more about entertaining the in-flight crew than holding my hand. I might forgive him by the time Alex is born.”

My head snaps up. “Alex? You named him and didn’t tell me?”

Simon plants his hands on his hips and glares at my sister. “I thought we weren’t telling anyone.”

“You forfeited that right when you told the entire crew the baby’s name, you ass. Or don’t you remember that? If it doesn’t end up inPeople Magazineby next week, I’ll eat healthy for a whole week,” she fires right back. This is a serious threat because Bristol has been sending Simon to Juniors for cheesecake almost nightly. Simon has the good grace to look ashamed.