Page 71 of Wish You Would

Sliding my hand along her thigh under the table, my palm settles on her knee. “We’re going to tell our friends tonight, babe,” I warn her. “It’s time.”

She sighs but doesn’t argue. “Okay. How do you want to do it?”

“We’re going to invite everyone over for pizza then we’re going to tell them our news. Sound good?”

Her eyes meet mine and she nods, then places a hand on top of mine under the table.

I lace my fingers through hers, and despite everything else that is happening right now, all I can think is: I want her.

God, do I want her.

And I am done waiting.

I jumpedinto action on the way home from the bakery. We made a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up a few things then I texted the group to invite them over for a last-minute hangout at my place. Fortunately, everyone can make it. Briar seems nervous, but also excited. I’ve reassured her time and time again that our friends are going to be happy for us. I think she’s starting to believe it.

Jake, Everly and the kids are the first to arrive, followed by Tucker and Jake, Grayson and finally Sierra with baby Sadie. I had pulled Sierra aside before leaving the bakery to ask her to please keep anything she may have heard to herself for just a little longer. She gave me an innocent look as she claimed not to have any idea what I was talking about. But now, when I give her a quick hug hello, she whispers,I am so excited for thisinto my ear.

One by one, our friends make it out to the backyard to enjoy the warm fall night. Birdie is on the grass playing with a backpack full of dolls she brought along, while baby West is in Jake’s arms looking happy as a clam. Briar takes a seat beside me. The off-the-shoulder sweater she’s wearing is barely covering her bump and she’s absolutelyglowing. It’s a mystery how someone hasn’t caught on at this point.

“Give him to me.” I hold my hands out to West, then transfer him from his dad’s arms into mine. He instantly giggles as I bounce him up and down on my knee.

Everly smiles. “He loves his uncle Holdey.”

I blow a raspberry into his neck. “His uncle Holdey loves him too.”

Little by little, Briar relaxes next to me, sipping from a glass of iced tea. Every now and then her eyes slide to meet mine and I try my best to reassure her without words. Sitting next to Briar, surrounded by our friends, feels good. An incredible sense of pride that she’smybaby momma blooms in my chest.

The bubble bursts when Grayson takes advantage of a lull in the group’s conversation to ask, “So, is there a reason for the last-minute soiree, Holden?”

“It was our turn to host,” I reply innocently.

I feel Briar sit up a little straighter beside me, and I am sure her heart is pounding just as hard as mine. We were going to wait until after we ate, but it doesn’t look like that’s happening now. I turn my head to look at Briar, who already has her eyes on me. She nods, giving me the okay to tell them.

“Briar and I have news.”

Tucker rolls his eyes. “I might be slow sometimes to figure shit out, but I think we all know what you’re about to tell us.”

Daisy looks from me to Briar then back to me. “Please tell me you two are finally together. Make my whole life. Please.”

Briar laughs next to me, and that gives me all the encouragement I need to share our news. My core warmsfrom the inside out at the sound of her happiness. I plan on keeping her laughing like that for a very long time.

“Or maybe that’s too obvious, Dais,” Tucker nudges his wife with his shoulder. “Here’s another guess: Briar put a glass on the coffee table without a coaster and Holden has called us all here to stage an intervention."

“Please just spit it out,” Everly groans, leaning closer, propping her forearms on the table. “You’re killing me.”

“First, Tuck, you’re an idiot. And no, we’re not together. Yet.” I look at Briar. “While I have every intention of making Briar fall in love with me, we brought you all here to tell you… we’re having a baby. Briar’s pregnant.”

We wait in suspended silence as they all stare at us with wide eyes, before the backyard erupts.

“Oh my gosh, this is the best news ever!” Sierra exclaims while Daisy rushes over to us, eyes already filling with tears. The guys high-five me across the table.

“Holy shit, that is not what I was expecting,” Jake laughs, clapping me on my back. “Are you serious?”

Briar nods. “He’s serious.” All eyes fly to Briar, who covers her face with her hands. “I’m 18 weeks along.”

“But… you’re not together?” Grayson asks.

“Grayson, that’s not the point right now.” Sierra shakes her head, elbowing her husband in the ribs. “Where are your manners?”

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