Chapter Twenty-Four
Allegra
“My water broke!” Bianca exclaimed as she strolled into the conference room.
We had just wrapped up a meeting regarding the latest cover and the best designs our design team had drawn up (thanks to Maria’s expert eye). Eight options later, and tedious analysis of each one, and we finally had our cover. But that was so not the point. The point was, we had texted Bianca to stop by during lunch to shoot the breeze, like we’d done when she’d worked here.
I missed those days, and I knew my sisters did, too.
I coughed, and finally addressed what Bianca had said—“I’m pretty sure that’s my line, and in case I’m missing something, it hasn’t happened yet.”
Perla chuckled. “Honestly, what are you talking about, Bibi?”
Bianca rolled her eyes and brushed us off. “Hello, I’m in charge of the games at the baby shower, and I have been researching up a storm. There are some naughty, naughty games out there”—she wagged a finger at each of us as she sat down—“but I didn’t pick any of those.”
Maria arched a brow.
“I call bullshit,” I said, referencing one of our favorite card games as kids.
Bianca feigned shock, gasping and clutching her chest. “You really think I would do that?”
I looked to Maria, Perla, and then my eyes wandered back to Bianca. “Yes!” we all shouted at her before bursting into laughter.
Bianca rolled her lips. “Fine. You all know me too well. I might have picked some, but that’s neither here nor there. The water broke game is actually very interesting, and we’re totally playing it at your baby shower.”
Maria cleared her throat. “I’m just grateful you didn’t pick out any of my baby shower games.”
“I was young, but I still think your baby shower was boring,” Perla said.
I laughed. “It was a garden tea party, if I recall.”
Maria held up a hand. “Hey, it was very elegant.”
Bianca booed her. “It’s a baby shower, Maria. Plus, Allegra’s should be as explosive as the sex she had with Brady.”
I gasped in horror that she’d bring that up. But let’s be real, the gasp was probably uncalled for because this was Bianca we were talking about. I should’ve had no doubt she’d spill the beans.
Maria’s head turned so fast I was surprised it was still attached to her body. “You and Brady slept together, and Perla and I are the last to know?”
I shook my head. “Now, now. Dad doesn’t know, either.”
Perla balled up a piece of paper that was on the table and tossed it at me. “Gross, bringing up Dad like that.”
I didn’t catch the paper, but it landed in my lap, so I plucked it off my pants and tossed it on the table. “Fair. But I can’t be held accountable. Would you believe me if I told you nipple cream was the cause of us having sex again?”
Bianca crossed her arms and pursed her lips. “Nipple cream?” She shook her head. “No, Allie, we would not believe it.”
“I’m not surprised it happened again,” Maria said.
Perla gave me a lopsided grin. “It was better this time, though, wasn’t it?”
What I wanted to say: every time with Brady was as explosive as fireworks. His cock should be held in reverence. It was as talented as his mouth. Frankly, the man needed to be elected into some sort of hall of fame.
What I actually said: “Brady is the best sex I’ve ever had.” That was vague enough, right?
Maybe too vague because Bianca gave me a naughty look.
I leaned back in my chair, placing a hand on my stomach. “Oh, no!” I exclaimed. “You have that look, Bibi.”
Maria scrunched her nose. “Just say it, Bibi. Whatever’s on your mind, spit it out. We all know you’re dying.”
Bianca let out an exasperated breath. “Thank you! Knox and I used glow-in-the-dark condoms the other night and”—she smacked her lips together—“they make the experience that much better.”
Perla shifted in her seat. “You still use condoms?”
Maria eyed her. “You’re not anymore?”
Perla shrugged. “It’s better bare.”
“Well, on a less sexy note, Pedro and I broke up,” Maria said.
We all gasped, and I leaned forward again, placing a hand out for her to take. “I’m so sorry, Maria,” I said first.
Next, Bianca went. “I never liked him anyway.”
“Not your type,” Perla chimed in.
I placed a hand over my mouth and pretended to cough, saying, “Not Dom.”
Maria shook her head. “Pedro and I weren’t that serious anyway.”
Bianca heaved a sigh. “You know what you need?”
Maria turned toward Bianca, but I answered before Bianca could, saying, “Dom’s body.”
Maria tossed her head back and groaned. “Please, you guys. Dad’s even on my case lately about Dom. It’s like you all think you know better than me or something, but I’m telling you right now, we are just friends. That’s it. End of story.”
Bianca whistled. “Something tells me that story hasn’t even started.”
“Cut it out!” Maria warned.
“Fine,” I said, changing the topic, “I want to invite Jade to the Bellissima anniversary party.”
Crickets.
More crickets.
Literally not a sound.
I could have heard a pin drop.
All right, so clearly it was only me who thought inviting our half sister was a good idea. I didn’t know why I’d thought it’d be any other way. “I think it might be nice,” I pushed, eyeing each of my sisters in turn.
Let me tell you how that went.
Maria’s eyebrows were raised so high they were hitting her hairline.
Bianca’s eyes went everywhere but in my direction.
Perla was fussing with her hair and looking down at the table.
Real great, sisters. Ignore the reality that Jade is one of us—she’s our sister.
I stood up to see if that would get them to look at me. “Hello! Am I talking to myself? Am I invisible or something? I think it’s at least worth talking about. Jade is Mom’s daughter, which means she’s our sister”—I rolled my eyes—“well, half sister, but still.”
Maria tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she sat back and crossed one leg over the other. “I think you need to give us some time to think about it, okay?”
Perla and Bianca nodded.
“Maria’s right, Allie. It’s not black and white. Once we do that, then this becomes more real, and she’s really part of the fold,” Bianca said.
I exhaled. What weren’t they understanding? Jade was already part of the fold. Sure, she didn’t share the Morelli name, but family came in all shapes and sizes. She was blood, and she was a Morelli sister, for all intents and purposes.
Family was everything to Mom, and it was that way for Dad, too. He wouldn’t think twice about considering her a daughter. I knew it. I just knew it.
“We’ll think about it,” Perla was the last to say.
I nodded, gently rubbing my belly. “I respect that. And it is a big decision, so I’ll give it some more thought, too. I guess, on this one, Bibi’s right. We should all be sure.”