Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Lena
“Are you staying for dinner, Auntie?” Brooke, my adorable niece, asked me from the back seat of my SUV.
I made eye contact with her from my rearview mirror, only her face visible above the tall stack of books in her hands. Let’s just say Brooke loved every book she saw. If there wasn’t a limit, I was sure she’d take the entire library home with her. But I loved her interest in books. It reminded me of myself at her age; my love for reading emerged when I was young and never stopped. I either had a book in my hand or I was searching the stacks for my next binge. “I can’t tonight, sweetie. But maybe tomorrow?”
Brooke pouted, and I instantly felt bad. I would usually stay. I often took advantage of dinner at my brother Graham’s, even now with Dallas there. She only added to the fun. Plus, seeing my lovesick brother acting like a fool was a damn good time.
But tonight was special. Something I didn’t think would ever happen finally was. “I’m sorry, Brookie cookie. I have dinner plans.”
“Dinner plans? What’s that?”
“I’m meeting someone for dinner tonight.”
I glanced between her and the road, her face scrunched up as she tried to process. She was too cute. “Who?”
Oh, children and their innocence. I wasn’t sure if I should tell her, but I figured it wasn’t like Graham didn’t know. Oh my God, what was I doing? Hashing out my conversation with a five-year-old?
“You know Daddy’s best friend, Shane? You call him Uncle Shane.”
“Yah, duh, Auntie!” Brooke pretended to roll her eyes, and I had to try so hard to hold back my laugh.
“I’m going to dinner with him.”
“Oh! Okay! Are we almost home? I gotta pee!”
I chuckled. “Yes, a couple more minutes.”
Brooke jiggled in her booster seat, and the books started sliding. Sure enough, they began crashing to the floorboard, one at a time.
“Oh no, Auntie!”
“It’s okay. I’ll get them,” I said as I pulled into my brother’s driveway. After I parked and shut off the engine, I unbuckled Brooke and led her inside so she could use the bathroom. After retrieving her books, I went back inside to say hi to Graham and Dallas.
They sat at the kitchen table, heads touching, hands intertwined, whispering frantically.
“Hey,” I said from the doorway, and both of them jumped backward.
What the hell was going on?
“Hey, Sis, sorry I didn’t even hear you come in.” Graham jumped to his feet. “Where’s Brooke?”
“She’s using the bathroom.” I set her stack of books on the table. I expected Graham to lay into me about Shane since he wasn’t here now to defend us, but instead, he collapsed back in his chair, his face pale. He wiped some sweat off his brow. I looked at Dallas, and she looked just as sick, but she’d been feeling that way since she got pregnant. “What’s up? You two don’t look well. How did the doctor’s appointment go? Is something wrong?” My stomach twisted at the thought. Maybe that was why they were upset.
“Nothing’s wrong. We found out some big news, and we’re still trying to process it all.”
My eyes bounced back and forth between them. “Okay, good news, I hope…are you gonna tell me?”
Dallas covered her mouth with her hand. “Excuse me.” She bolted from the table, almost knocking into Brooke as she exited the bathroom.
“Are you okay, pretty Dallas? Are you sick again from the baby?”
“Brooke, come here and say hi to Daddy. Dallas isn’t feeling good right now,” Graham said. Brooke hurried into the kitchen and climbed onto his lap.
“What’s going on, Graham? You can’t leave me in suspense.”
“We found out today why Dallas has felt sicker than usual during her pregnancy. She’s pregnant with triplets.” Graham whispered the last word, and I wasn’t sure I heard him right.
“Wait, what?”
“Triplets, L. Three babies.”
My mouth dropped open.
“What’s three babies?” Brooke asked, and my shock turned into uncontrollable giggles.
“It means you’ll have three little brothers or three little sisters all at once. Dallas is pregnant with three babies in her tummy instead of one.”
Brooke’s eyes widened. “Wow.”
“Wow is right. Holy crap!” I said.
“Auntie said a bad word!” Brooke giggled.
“She’s right, though. Holy crap!” Graham said.
Brooke giggled again.
“Well, congrats!” I stood and walked around the table. I hugged Brooke and him at the same time. “You’re going from one kid to four all on the same day—crazy!”
“Tell me about it. But it’s gonna be awesome. Right, Brookie?”
“Yep! I’m gonna be a great big sister!”
“Yes, you are! Okay, I’ve gotta run. Give Dallas my congrats.”
“Where are you running off to? You don’t want to stay for dinner?”
“She has dinner plans. ” Brooke emphasized the last two words. This smart little shit. Guess I couldn’t confide in a five-year-old after all, ha.
“Dinner plans? Is that right? With who?”
Brooke spoke up again. “Uncle Shane.”
Graham looked at Brooke and laughed. “How do you know all of this?”
“Like father, like daughter, apparently. She asks all the questions like you do.”
“Ha, very funny, Sis.” His face darkened. “We still need to talk.”
“Nah, we’re good. It’s all out in the open now. See you guys tomorrow.” I waved as I walked backward out of the kitchen.
“Bye, Auntie!” Brooke ran over to me, and I scooped her into my arms and covered her with smooches.
As I walked out to my SUV, I felt energized.
Like I told my brother—everything was out in the open, and there was no reason to hide feelings any longer.
It was time to get my man.
* * *
The little black dress shoved into the back of my closet made a rare appearance today, but a quick steam iron, and she was good as new. I dressed her up with black heels, nylons for warmth, and a long black faux fur jacket. My hair was swept up into an updo with wisps falling around my face. A light touch of makeup and some red lips and I was good to go.
Shane had never seen me dressed up quite like this.
Hell, I’d never seen myself this dressed up besides when I went to prom. Or the occasional wedding. But even for those, I was more toned down.
As I spun in a circle in front of my full-length mirror, I did a little happy dance. Damn Ruby and her happy dances—they were contagious.
But I really was so happy.
I picked up my phone and shot Ruby a quick text.
Lena: It’s happening, girl!
Ruby: You fucked Shane?!
Lena: LOL. Dinner first. But then…
Ruby: OMG! FINALLY! *fireworks emoji*
Lena: I can’t believe it!
Ruby: But how? When? Does Graham know? I need details, stat!
Lena: I’ll come by the bakery tomorrow. But let’s just say Graham caught us kissing in the library…hehe
Ruby: OMG x2! You slutty librarian, you! Did he want to kill you both?
Lena: Pretty much until Shane said he loved me and would marry me
Ruby: GIRL, I keep shouting omg, and I think Austin is a bit concerned lol- you better come by tomorrow and tell me everything
Lena: I will. Love you! Xoxo
Ruby: Xoxo
My doorbell rang. Perfect timing.
With one last glance in the mirror, I took a deep breath in hopes of settling my nerves, but it was no use.
I was about to have the best night of my life.