Page 43 of The Sinner's Son

“I can still eat dessert?” Eddie looked and sounded a little dazed. Was it from the kiss or from realizing that he could still have sweets?

“The trick to sustaining your new lifestyle is to take the things you love and make them healthier,” Sawyer said. “I whipped up chocolate mousse to serve with fresh berries.”

“I’m game,” Eddie said.

Jo pushed back from the table. “Let me help.”

Once alone, Eddie leaned toward Royce. “What other pointers do you have?”

Royce reached over and patted his shoulder. “I don’t think you need my help. You’ve got this.”

“Oh!” Jo suddenly cried out from the kitchen.

Royce and Eddie leaped to their feet, both of them looking for a threat.

“Like father, like son,” Sawyer said.

Jo pointed to the sonogram hanging on the refrigerator. “Is this what I think it is?”

Sawyer smiled at her. “We’re having a—”

Jo’s delighted squeal drowned out the rest of Sawyer’s words. “Oh my god! This calls for a hug!” She squeezed Sawyer first since he was closest, and then she ran to Royce. “When?” Before he could answer, Jo turned to Eddie. “Did you know about this?”

Eddie, fresh off a major victory, looked like a deer caught in the headlights, so Royce took pity on him.

“I just told him this morning, but I swore him to secrecy for a little while longer.”

Sawyer set two bowls of mousse and berries on the table. “We planned to make an official announcement at my parents’ Labor Day party.”

“Oh.” Jo covered her mouth for a few seconds before lowering her hand. “Evangeline doesn’t know?”

“Not yet, but I might have to change that. I can’t risk her finding out from anyone else.” Sawyer returned to the kitchen island to grab the remaining dessert bowls.

“We won’t say a word.” Jo turned to Eddie. “Will we?”

“Nope. I managed to keep it from you this afternoon.” He lowered his voice and added, “But we were pretty busy.”

Royce grimaced but kept his mouth shut.

Jo blushed profusely and swatted his arm. “Guess we’ll need to keep ourselves occupied until the Labor Day party.”

The lovebirds couldn’t seem to tear their eyes off one another over dessert. Royce didn’t expect them to stay much longer, until Eddie scraped the bottom of his bowl and looked longingly at Jo’s.

“I’ve never eaten mousse before,” he said. “It’s light and fluffy. Not too sweet.”

“Would you like seconds, Eddie?” Sawyer asked.

“Could I? I mean, should I?”

“It’s likely free of dairy and probably low in fat and carbs.” Royce licked his spoon and set it in his empty bowl. Sawyer assessed him through narrowed eyes, looking for a hidden insult. “And delicious. Eat up.”

“Okay, then,” Eddie said.

Royce stood up with his bowl and collected Eddie’s. “Be right back.”

“Me too,” Sawyer said.

Behind them, Eddie chuckled.