Page 22 of Only a Gemini Will Do

“Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

Brit cheesed from ear to ear while reaching out to touch my belly. “See! Look at us coming up with plans for our girl and our niecey-pooh!”

Hearing them ramble on and on about everything from baby shower themes to baby names from A-Z felt like a warm hug in the middle of such a lonely season. It gave me the reassurance I needed that even though I wouldn’t have Kareem by my side, I wouldn’t be alone, because my girls would never let me fall.

They gathered around me on the gray sectional and wrapped their arms around me for a group hug. Emotion swelled behind my eyes, instantly smudging my mascara through the tears.

“We need a movie night—something nostalgic and funny likeWhite ChicksorNext Friday. And we need popcorn to go along with the pie,” I suggested.

“Whatever baby Petunia wants, baby Petunia gets,” Neesh said sweetly while rubbing my belly.

My brows lurched toward my hairline. “Baby who?”

Neesh shrugged. “What? You don’t like that name?”

“Leave that right where you found it, or you’re gonna be banned from giving wack ass baby name suggestions,” I warned.

Brit grabbed her keys. “There’s a gas station with a convenience store not far from here that might still be open. We could try it.”

“Cool, but let’s make it quick because I think I’m almost ready for my second helping of pie.” Neesh giggled.

We piled into Brit’s car, cracked the windows to let in the cool November breeze, and let the music blast. The streets were quiet, except for the occasional car or two that passed by. I figured most people were inside four walls with their friends or families like we were, sitting on a couch in a food coma or watching the football game.

At the store, we stocked up like the apocalypse was upon us with different popcorn flavors, sour gummies, a pint of cookies and cream ice cream, and a pricey bottle of rosé for the aunties-to-be.

A man held the door open for us as we were walking out. I didn’t look up until Brit thanked him, and I heard his response. His voice was oddly familiar. We traded glances for a split second, and my spine chilled. It was King, Kareem and Kadeem’s cousin who lived in Tampa.What a small world.

I shifted back to Kaneesha and Britney. “I’ll meet y’all at the car, okay?”

“What? Why? Where are you going?” Neesh inquired.

“I’ll be right back. I forgot to get something in the store,” I replied before following King back inside.

I watched him from afar for a few seconds before mustering the courage to approach him. “Excuse me,” I called out to him. “King?”

His neck swiveled in my direction at the sound of his name, and he looked me up and down. “Sawyer?”

“Yeah. Hey. I wasn’t sure if you remembered me or not. And Happy Thanksgiving, by the way.”

“Thanks, same to you. And yeah, I remember. What are you doing back out here?”

“One of my best friends lives out here, so we came to celebrate the holiday and eat at her place this year,” I acknowledged, absentmindedly placing my hand over my belly.

“Congrats, by the way,” he said, eyeing my stomach.

I nodded, unsure whether I needed to clarify that the baby was Kareem’s. “Oh, uh, thanks. It was, um, unexpected, but hey, that’s life, right?”

“Yeah. That’s life.”

“Well, you take care,” I replied, awkwardly ending the conversation.

“Yeah, you too.”

I turned to leave the aisle, but then I abruptly spun back. “I know I probably shouldn’t even be asking you this, but . . . have you heard from or talked tohimlately?”

He looked over his shoulder before responding. “I have.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “H-how is he doing?”