Page 52 of Shuttered Hearts

“Right? They are so stinkin’ cute,” Emily agrees.

“Stop it.” I know I’m blushing, but it doesn’t stop me from smiling.

We told everyone about us at breakfast this past Sunday, but we made a point not to be overly affectionate with each other. So, this is the first time everyone sees how the two of us interact. I don’t love the attention from my family, but I love the attention from Declan.

“What’s going on with you? Figure out how you want to spend your time in town yet?” I ask Ava, moving the attention from me.

While Ava still hasn’t shared the whole story with Declan, she did tell him she’s not planning on continuing to practice law anymore. He wasn’t thrilled about it, but he understood doing something because their parents pressured them. So, he’s trying his hardest to be supportive of her.

“I saw a help wanted sign at the bookstore. I was thinking of applying for the job. I’m pretty sure it’s only part-time, but I used to love reading, so I thought it could be fun.”

“My friend Abbey manages the store. Let me know if you want me to talk to her for you,” Emily offers.

“That would be awesome. Thanks.”

“So you’re staying indefinitely?” I ask.

“Yeah, unless that’s not okay,” she says hesitantly.

I reach across the counter for her hand. “Of course it’s okay! I didn’t mean anything by that. The last time we talked about this, you were staying through the end of the year, and a job is more long-term than that.”

“Yeah, I’m not completely sure. I know I don’t want to go home, and I need something to do. The bookstore seems like a good opportunity.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Emily says. Her eyes bounce between us as if she’s trying to decide something. “Are we done in here?” she finally asks, looking at me.

“Yeah.” My eyebrows furrow as I look at her. She’s not quite acting like herself.

“Great! Caleb and I have an announcement we’d like to make.” Emily grabs my arm and pulls me into the living room where the guys are.

“I thought we were going to wait for dinner,” Caleb says as he stands from the couch while Emily pushes me into the loveseat next to Declan.

“I don’t want to,” she says, pushing Ava into the seat Caleb just vacated. “Scott, could you turn the TV off?”

“But the game?—”

“It will still be there when we’re done.” Her hands go to her hips, looking at him sternly.

“Dad, turn it off. This is clearly important.” I move to the edge of my seat, feeling a zing of nervous energy move through me.

Dad looks closer at Caleb and Emily standing to the side before he shuts the TV off, moving to sit a little straighter in his seat. “What’s going on?”

Emily looks up at Caleb standing at her side. She gives him a small smile and nods as if telling him he should share whatever they want to tell us. When Caleb smiles back at her, I finally relax. It can't be bad news if they’re looking at each other that way.

Caleb pulls Emily into his side, looks at me and Declan before shifting his eye to Dad. “Emily’s pregnant. We’re having a baby!”

“What?!” I shout, jumping from my seat.

Emily nods her head, tears forming in her eyes. “Due in May.”

“Oh my god!” I rush to Emily and pull her into a fierce hug. She laughs and hugs me back just as hard.

“Congrats, man,” Declan says, pulling Caleb in for a hug.

Declan and I switch places, and when I pull Caleb in for a hug, I whisper in his ear. “You are going to make an amazing father.” A tight squeeze is my only response from him.

When we pull away, we turn to look at Dad, who hasn’t moved or said anything since the announcement.

“Dad?” Caleb asks.

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