Page 14 of Wanted: Unwavering Daddy

Dylan smiled gratefully. “I appreciate it, guys, but that’s enough about me. We’re all here for the man of the hour.”

Hayden put both hands on his chest. “For moi?Yes, it’s about time I’m celebrated.”

Good-natured groans went around the table, but then we all raised our glasses in a toast. “I’m so proud of you, my friend,” Nigel said. “You’re going to make the best father.”

We all clinked glasses and took a sip, then Hayden said, “And you’re going to make my babies the best clothes.” He turned toward me. “And you’re going to design me the most fabulous nursery ever.”

Excitement sparked in my belly. I’d planned to offer to help him, but I hadn’t expected him to ask me for help. I’d have to tell Toby his theories on the universe guiding you the way you should go were spot on. But wait…

At the same time, multiple voices rang out with, “Babies?”

Hayden clapped his hands excitedly. “She’s pregnant with twins.”

The news spurred another round of congratulations and toasts from our group. Our waitress came over and took our order, and then Indie stood up. “Okay, I feel like now is a good time for us to all check in.”

“Huh?” Julian asked. “Check in how?”

Indie pointed at him. “Well, I happen to know for a fact that you have your own big news. Daddy told me to make sure that we don’t just sit around and gossip, but that we find out what’s going on in each other’s lives.”

“Oh thank God,” Levi said. “Christian told me the same thing, and I didn’t really want to be the one to bring it up. Not that I don’t think it’s a good idea, but come on. He may be a Daddy to everyone, but I was dragged into this friend group kicking and screaming.”

Archie smiled fondly. “But you love us now. And look at them, still trying to take care of us, even when they’re not here.”

Dylan snorted. “Brett better be glad he doesn’t pull that crap with me.”

Joey barked out a laugh. “Oh really? Because Brett sent me a text asking me to make sure that you ate a real meal. He said afterworking a long shift and schoolwork, you had a tendency to pick on finger foods instead of having something healthy.”

Dylan’s face went pink, and we all laughed, teasing him for trying to sound like he had his Daddy in line when we all knew how much he loved how well Brett looked after him.

“Let’s go in order of when we got together,” Toby said.

“Timothy’s not here,” Archie pointed out.

“Wouldn’t Will be first anyway?” Kenny asked.

“That’s so true,” Toby said. “He has us all by a few years.”

“That’s true.” I held up my hands. “But I’m going to have to pass for right now. Well, I guess that’s not true. I’ll be working on the room for Hayden’s babies.”

“Yeah, you will,” Hayden said, smiling broadly.

“You’ll do a great job,” Nigel said.

“Definitely,” several others agreed, warming me from the inside out.

“Okay, since Timothy’s not here, Joey’s next,” I said.

Joey sat up straighter in his seat. “What can I say? I’m living the dream with Tucker, and my real estate company is growing exponentially. We’re hiring a couple of more agents and another office worker for our office manager to boss around.” He smiled at Chip. “I couldn’t be happier.”

Toby put his hand in the air. “Me, me, me. I’m next. Guess what?”

“What?” we all asked at once, bursting out laughing.

“Samuel and I decided that I’m opening a restaurant.”

“No way,” Archie said. “That’s so exciting.”

“I’m pretty pumped. Scared but excited.”

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