Page 134 of Power Move

“Doubt it. No. Your girl got Prince George’s daughter in the divorce. Her ex is gonna besopissed when she finds out.”

I snickered. “Are lesbians that petty?”

“Anyone is capable, but I get the feeling attorneys are themostpetty and they are both attorneys,” Dahlia said.

“We aredefinitelythe most petty,” Daphne agreed.

“There is… a star here,” Ellie stepped up. “A bonafide princess movie star.”

“I hope Leah doesn’t take all the attention, so Eva feels shorted. If so, I will kill Lanie,” I said.

“She won’t. Eva is the one having the babies. She’s just got mad street cred now,” Ellie said. “Everyone from fucking Krakow is going to shit a brick and Brooke will kick herself for being such a cunt.”

I did a double take at sweet-seeming Ellie dropping the c-word.

“Who are you?” Dahlia said. “My God, I love you. Who is this woman?”

“I’m the bestie,” Ellie said. “I worked with Lanie a lot on this.”

“You’re amazing,” Dahlia giggled. “And she’sdefinitelyacting like a cunt.”

“Where are her parents?” I panicked. “What if they don’t show?”

“They will be here. They love her,” Ellie agreed. “And the boys. Wait, has she finally broken down about the names?”

“Nope,” I said.

“What are your choices?” Daphne asked.

“I don’t want to get into it.”

Any opinions shared would filter to Eva and make her even more vulnerable. Names were hard, and I sensed the general uncertainty wasn’t helping.

Mum reappeared, talking rather gleefully with Eva’s parents. I watched carefully to read their reactions. It was good. Bert chuckled. His wife nodded with a smile. We were in business. Maybe it wasn’t everything Eva wanted, and it would never match the plan in her mind, but I thought this was as good an attempt as any straight man made at a baby shower. I did my best. Now, I waited.

Eva

“Let me grab it,” Dora rushed to grab the shopping bag before I reached into my trunk.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Promise.”

“I know,” the youngest Delphine daughter said. “But I wanted to do something nice foryouso having you carry all those clothes into the house doesn’t make sense.”

“Dora, it’s a tiny bag of adorable baby clothes,” I laughed. “And I had a great time. I am glad we finally got to chat.”

Dora was sweet. She was young, motivated, and would do about anything to help the world. She was idealistic in a way I never was. Her altruism reminded me of Ellie in her early twenties—sweet, capable, optimistic.

Dora opened the door, beckoning me into the quiet house. Davey had taken his mother to do an errand and everyone else was busy. Dora took me for coffee and to entertain for a fewhours, so I agreed. It was day three of my adventures in Bruges, Michigan—the sleepy suburb of Holland.

As I stepped in, I heard the eruption of a “Surprise!”

I saw dozens of people looking at me. Ellie ran to hug me. Through tears, I looked at her.

“What is this?”

“Your baby shower,” Ellie laughed. “Come on in!”

I looked past her to see Daphne and Danna standing with my parents. My Dad was straight up crying, which made me sob more. I gave him a hug and kiss. He hugged me tight. It was so wonderful to smell his aftershave and feel his safe hold around me. Twin A kicked him hard, prompting him to pull back.