Page 53 of Discretion

“In this case, it was definitely for the best,” Emerson said.

“One hundred percent,” Sloan agreed then turned to me. “And you’ll know when you’re ready to put yourself out there. For now, just enjoy being single.”

I said nothing, instead sipping my drink. Was I enjoying being single? I mean…now that I thought about it, I hadn’t really dated that much. Jasper was the only man I’d been with since Craig.

“Enjoy being single?” Astrid laughed. “The dating world is terrifying. You must have forgotten now that you’re blissfully married to Jackson.”

Sloan laughed. “Oh. I haven’t forgotten. I think I’m scarred for life by the thumb-sucker.”

“Oh god.” I shuddered.

“Wait.” Emerson placed her hand on Sloan’s arm. “What do you mean, thumb-sucker?”

Sloan and I looked at each other and tried not to laugh. Finally, she said, “So I’d gone on a few dates with this guy, and I was going to spend the night at his place. When we went to go to sleep, well…” Her cheeks pinkened. “He rolled up in the fetal position and put his thumb in his mouth.”

“Oh my god,” Astrid said at the same time Emerson exclaimed, “He did not!”

“Oh, he definitely did,” Sloan said.

“What did you do?” Kendall asked, looking as if she was struggling to contain her laughter. Or maybe her horror.

“I said that I’d forgotten I had an early meeting, and I got out of there as fast as I could.”

We all started laughing. When Sloan’s laughter cut off, her face suddenly serious, I frowned. She stood, and everyone fell silent.

Oh shit.

Everyone seemed to realize at the same time that her water had broken. And then all hell broke loose.

Zara’s eyeswere wide as I recounted the story of Sloan going into labor. “I can’t believe Sloan’s water broke at her own baby shower.”

I adjusted my robe, tightening the belt on it. “I know. It was crazy, but everyone sprang into action. And luckily, her family got to meet the baby before we left for New York.”

“Boy or girl?” Zara asked.

We’d spoken briefly a few times over the past month, but this was the first time we’d gotten to video chat for an extended time in a while. I was in my room at the Huxley Grand New York getting ready for the Huxley Family Foundation gala, and she was relaxing on her couch. I’d missed hanging out with her.

“Girl. Evie. Evelyn was Sloan’s mother’s middle name.” I’d gone to visit them the day after Evie was born, and she was darling. Mom and baby had been doing well, and Jackson looked absolutely besotted.

“Oh, I know that look.” Zara pointed at my face on the screen. “Does someone have baby fever?”

“What?” I pulled a face. “No.”

“You sure about that?”

“I can admire a cute baby without wanting another one of my own.”

“If you say so.” She didn’t sound convinced.

I laughed at the absurdity of it. “As if I don’t already have enough on my plate.”

“True,” she said. “How’s your dad settling into his new place?”

“It sounds like it’s going well.” I’d spoken with the staff at Green Acres several times. “I think my mom is the one who’sstruggling the most with the transition.” I grabbed my makeup palette and started applying my eye shadow.

“That’s understandable. How’s Kai? What’s he up to this weekend?”

“He and Craig are dog-sitting for Jasper.”