Page 49 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

“It’s that late? Damn.” Palmer took the teapot over to the sink to fill it with water. While it was filling, she finally noticed the uncomfortable silence between them. Palmer looked at her friends and realized something was up. “Whatnow?”

Dillyn was having difficulty admitting what she knew Cat had come to believe.

When neither Dillyn nor Cat responded, Palmer got even more concerned. “Are we under attack? She looked around the room. “Is Selah okay?”

“No, we are not under attack. Selah came down earlier and went back to her room about an hour ago.” Cat pressed her lips together and looked over at Dillyn, who looked like a deer in headlights.

“Then what’s up?” Palmer narrowed her eyes as she studied Dillyn.

Instead of outing her, Cat threw out a lifeline. “I’m just reviewing some things for the vineyard and tossing a few ideas. We’re going to need more money. Dillyn was probably about to confirm that she’s all tapped out.” Cat laughed, but it sounded forced. “In all seriousness, it’s going to be planting season soon, so we’ll have to start making some decisions.” Cat continued to ramble. “The grapes won’t be ready for winemaking for some time. It’s a year’s long process, meaning it will be a while before we can start making money from them. So, I was thinking, maybe we can use the peaches from the orchard. We might be able to get those on the shelves in a year or two.”

“Hmm.” Palmer was skeptical as she looked between them. “That’s what you two were talking about?”

Dillyn took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Actually, I have some news.” Dillyn looked gratefully at Cat, then smiled nervously as she clasped her hands together. “I know this might come as a complete shock . . .” She forced excitement in her voice, “Since we’ve been talking about babies and starting families . . . how do you feel about becoming aunties in the next six or seven months?”

Chapter 21

Palmer put the teapot down before she dropped it. “Girl. Are you seriously trying to tell me that you’re pregnant?”

She nodded, “Yeah.”

“You. Are. Pregnant?”

“Yes.”

“This isn’t a joke. I’m not being punked?”

“No.”

Palmer’s face was filled with disbelief, “Did you know that when I was talking about having a baby?”

“Yes, I did.”

Palmer was in complete shock, “why didn’t you say something?”

Dillyn’s eyes became glassy, “Honestly, I didn’t know what to say. I think I am still processing.”

Cat got up from her seat and went to hug her friend. Palmer hugged her too.

A tear slid down Dillyn’s cheek as she sniffed, “I don’t know how this happened?”

Palmer pulled back. There was a devilish gleam in her eyes. “I can tell you how it happened. You and Mr. Cowboy couldn’t keep your hands off each other, but why the tears? This is a joyous occasion!”

“I-I . . . initially thought so. Now, I honestly don’t know.” Dillyn’s dream about her parents had messed with her head. They were a shitshow, and she was terrified of becoming a version of them and passing that bad juju to this child. However, she didn’t want to admit that. Instead, Dillyn revealed the obvious. “Ben and I just started dating a few months ago. We’re still in the getting to know each other stage.”

Palmer waved her words away. “True, but you and Ben have something special. It will be fine. Honestly, I am so excited for you. Our biological clocksareticking. We’re in our mid-thirties, and if I had a Ben, I would pop out as many babies as possible.”

Cat rolled her eyes. “You have a Ben that you won’t acknowledge. Granted, all men are shit, but I have a soft spot for Ben and Lucas. They’re the exception.”

Palmer responded thoughtfully, “Lucas is . . . too young.”

Mischievously, Cat grinned. “Didn’t keep you from sleeping with him.”

“Oop! No, you didn’t.” Palmer laughed. “You know he’s the first younger man I’ve ever dated.”

“Hey, I get it.” Cat giggled. “I’ve shown a younger man a thing or two myself, and man-oh-man, did they return the favor in stamina.”

“Girl, you know that’s right!” Palmer high-fived Cat as she laughed heartily, then lifted four fingers. She mouthedfour orgasms. She sounded wistful, “The last time we were together, I had four in the same night! I couldn’t believe it. That’s more than I’ve had in last three years combined.”

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