Page 165 of Pretend You Love Me

Brooklyn turns to Rose with a shock expression covering her face. “Really?”

“Of course. Really, I’m a librarian. I read everything. How would I not recognize you?”

“I knew too.” Sadie adds. “I knew the first day you two came in here together. It took me just a second with your hair, but I figured it out.”

Brooklyn and I are just staring at them with our mouths open.

“Why didn’t any of you say anything?”she asks.

“Oh, the women in this town keep each other’s secrets,” Sadie says. She flashes a look at Rose.

“That’s right. We figure if you’re keeping a secret it’s for a good reason.”

Brooklyn shoots me a look. “I can’t believe this.”

“I can’t believe it only took a new hair color, and none of these men recognized you,” Rose laughs.

“Actually, I can believe that.” Sadie’s shaking her head. “I love you, Kip, but you are oblivious as hell sometimes.”

I’m not going to argue with her on that.

Rose lowers her voice. “Did you ever find your mom?”

“Yes,” Brooklyn says, the corners of her mouth turn up. “Two months ago.”

“That’s wonderful news.” Rose claps her hands together.

“It really is,” Brooklyn smiles. She doesn’t divulge any more. It hasn’t been without its bumps. She hasn’t seen her mother since she was eight. They are, in most ways, strangers. Her mom carries an enormous amount of guilt and trauma. Seeing her mother has unlocked a lot of painful memories for Brooklyn, but they’re working through it together and separately in therapy.

James moved Brooklyn’s mom and sister into a house on the same street as us. He says they are family, and he takes care of all his family. They want for nothing. They don’t have to worry about anything other than trying to heal. Kayla is doing great. She’s in school. She’s started gymnastics. We took her to the White House for the first time a few weeks ago.

Sadie motions for us to come sit by the cake table. We open presents and eat cake. I sit back and watch everyone happily talking to each other. It’s amazing how much can change in a year - how someone can crash into your life, turn it upside down, and bring you out the other side. I keep eyes on Brooklyn as she talks to Martha about how much she loves the tiny sweaters she knit for the babies. She’s completely at home, completely comfortable. They love her here, and all I can think about is how I’m the luckiest son of a bitch in the entire world.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Brooklyn

“Another baby shower?” Kip says. “I’m still worn out from the last one.”

There’s a twinkle in his eye.

“I didn’t even know about the other one when we planned this one,” I respond.

We’re heading to the White House for a baby shower Elizabeth is throwing. His fingers are laced through mine. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind since we got back from Alaska. We moved into a new place together and worked to settle in - including setting up the nursery. I’ve started working a few hours a week with Zadie now that I’ve left my regular teaching job.

Kip’s new book was released a few months ago. It sat on top of every bestseller list.Fraternityis his fastest selling book to date. People were thrilled he’s writing again, obsessed to learn more about why he stopped.

We tried to keep our relationship a secret, but it leaked out a few weeks ago. We’re trying not to feed the frenzy and maintain as much privacy as possible. We haven’t shared how we met or any particulars about our relationship.Most of the press has assumed we met through Will since he and Kip have been friends since college. We haven’t corrected the record.

The whole family is waiting for me when we pull up to the White House. I spot my mom and sister Kayla right away. There’s a tickle in my throat and a stinging in my eyes when I see them. I still can’t believe they are safe - that we are all here together.

Juno is the first to reach me when I exit the car. She wraps her arms around me, or as much as she can considering the size of my swollen belly.

“I can’t hug you anymore,” she laughs.

“I keep thinking I’ll pop if I get any bigger, and then I just keep growing.” I give a laugh.

We work our way through the group hugging and talking. When I get to Mom, I notice that Kayla is not beside her anymore. As I’m looking around for her, Mom nudges her chin toward the lawn, and I see Kayla and Vivi throwing a ball for MarryMe. It’s such a carefree sight. I couldn’t be happier as I watch her running around and playing.