Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“Oh my God,” I exclaim, giving her a knowing look.
Blue’s eyes snap to mine, her face slightly panicked.
“You’re pregnant,” I say, taking a wild guess that’s why she hasn’t touched her drink.
“No,” she squeaks, waving me off.
Brooke puts her hands on her hips, leaning toward Blue with a suspicious glare. “Something is definitely going on.”
Blue lets out a sigh that lifts her hair slightly away from her face. She throws her hands out. “Fine. I’m pregnant. We just found out yesterday and I wasn’t going to tell y’all because Erik and I haven’t discussed when and who to tell. And then when you served up the margaritas, I was totally caught off guard and didn’t know if I should speak up. But you know what…I’m glad it’s out. I’m glad you all know. That’s way too big a secret to keep.”
We jump from our stools in excitement of her admission, crowding around to give her hugs of congratulations.
“Were you trying to get pregnant?” Brooke asks as she moves back around the island. Ever the gracious hostess, she’s been eating while standing so she can continue to serve us if we need anything. Everyone else returns to their seats.
Blue shakes her head. “No. It was an accident, though we’ve obviously talked about having kids after we get married. But Erik is totally psyched about it and well, so am I, to be honest.”
I pick up my fish taco but before taking a bite, I ask, “What does it do to your wedding plans?”
Blue and Eric got engaged a few months ago.
Blue shrugs, a silly smile on her face. “I really don’t care if we have a wedding or not. I’d be happy going to the courthouse the way Regan and Dax and Legend and Pepper did. I never imagined any of this would ever happen. I never considered I would have a marriage or a baby because of Billy, but Erik is just so damn supportive of everything. He makes me believe that all things are possible. I can do life on my own, but Erik makes it so much happier and easier. He’s a true partner in every sense of the word, and I’m so excited about having a baby together. I think the wedding is mostly moot at this point.”
I mull over her words. There was a time in my life when I dreamed about a huge wedding with a fabulous gown, beautiful flowers, and my family and friends there to share in my joy. Once those visions were crushed, I’d never thought of them again.
But listening to Blue right now, and seeing how happy Regan and Dax and Legend and Pepper are, I realize those sorts of things are just trappings. If love is true—the kind that is genuine, messy, and fabulous all at the same time—I can see not needing such a big display just to prove commitment.
“Or just do something hassle-free the way Bishop and I plan to,” Brooke suggests with a smile.
Brooke and Bishop are doing a destination wedding at the end of June, which I received an invitation to. While it’s going to be at a fancy resort, she said she gave up control of planning to the people there. This includes picking her cake, flowers, and food for the reception. I’m seriously impressed by her ability to give up that type of control as a bride.
“Well, if we were going to do a wedding…” Pepper says as she grabs another taco off the platter. “We’d do it the same way. We never wanted a big affair, but traveling off to an exotic locale with friends and family seems fun.”
Regan gives a bit of a breathy sigh, her lower lip stuck out slightly. “I always wanted a big wedding. Of course, I never thought Dax would be carting me off to the courthouse and demanding I marry him so he could give me health insurance. It wasn’t the most romantic event, but he says all the time he’ll give me a big wedding if I want one. It seems kind of silly now, though.”
“Nonsense,” I exclaim. “It’s a great idea. I’ll help you as long as you don’t make me wear a tacky bridesmaid dress.”
Regan’s eyes light up, and she sits a little straighter in her seat. “Really? You think we should? And it would be a maid-of-honor dress.”
I’m caught off guard by the gooey, sentimental churning in my belly that she would want me to be her maid of honor, but I recover quickly. “Absolutely. You deserve it. You married my brother after all, so really… you deserve everything.”
Everyone laughs, and Regan turns to Nora. “What about you and Tacker? Will we be hearing wedding bells for you two?”
Nora chuckles, her voice low and husky. “It’s way too soon for us. Everything is so new and wonderful with Tacker, but a wedding is the last thing we’re thinking about.”