Page 26 of Love Starves

After getting dressed, I bounce down the stairs to check to make sure everything is in its place before people start showing up. Thanks to Stewart's help, everything is absolutely perfect. He doesn't know it yet, but he's getting a massive bonus this month with his pay. I never could've pulled this off without him. Pink, yellow, and blue balloons and flowers are spread around the den. Toward the side of the room is the covered buffet of foods I've gathered Imma's been loving and craving on one end and layered baby cake on the other. On the other side is a massive, clothed table for gifts that's already two thirds of the way full. Jolene shared Imma's wish list with all of us and I couldn't stop myself from loading the cart even if I had no clue what some of the shit was even for.

Stewart enters through the side door toting another bouquet of flowers. "Sorry, Ms. Had to replace the vase on these."

"No worries, Stewart," I tell him. "You've truly outdone yourself with this. I can't tell you how thankful I am you've been here to help so much."

His face flushes pink at my admission as he dips his chin in acknowledgement and heads back out the way he came in. The odd behavior makes me wonder if he's noticed the changes that I've been feeling lately. I know I've felt less like snapping at people than I usually do, which Geoff noted the other day as well. Kind of unbelievable that it took a visit from good old mom and dad to give me a front row seat for their fucked-up lives and how Idon'twant mine to turn out like.

The doorbell pulls me out of my head, and I spin around to go answer it. Jade thrusts a diaper cake at me as soon as the door swings open, and I only know the name of that stupid thing because of all the research. Otherwise, I'd have just called it a stack of diapers full of baby shit.

"Nice house," she compliments. "Never would've pegged you for the fancy mansion type."

She stops ogling the decor long enough to catch my gaze to make sure I know she's being sarcastic, and it makes us both laugh. Closest to my age in the group, we've butted heads a lot during the meetings, but I can see myself being friends with her. Jolene is next to the door, both arms full of gifts.

In light of there being two of them to unload their car, I don't think there's much help I'll need to provide, but it's polite to offer, nonetheless. "Do you need help getting anything else out?"

Jolene's a tad bit breathless as she replies, "No thank you. I believe we got it all in one trip. Where are we putting everything?"

"Oh, right. This way," I tell them, leading the way into the den to place Jade's gift on the table.

Who is still taking in the place and lets out a soft, impressed whistle. "This is freaking amazing, Blythe. Imma's going to have a freaking cow when she sees this."

"She can have whatever she wants as long as she doesn't do it here," I tease, making both of them laugh.

Jolene takes my hand as I walk by, pulling me to stop. "Really, though. Thank you for offering to do this for her. It'll mean more than you know."

Shit. I may be coming into feelings for my guys and starting to open up to these chicks, but the mushy stuff still makes me uncomfortable. Doing what I do best, I brush it off with a shrug of my shoulders as I pretend to make myself busy straightening one of the vases of flowers. The doorbell rings again, but Jade beats me to it.

"Got it," she all but yells, hauling ass to the door and throwing over her shoulder, "I've always wanted to role play Alfred to Batman. This is great. Wait til I tell Hudson. He's going to freak."

Jolene laughs at her sister's antics, making me smile. Kind of makes me wish I'd have grown up with a sister. Things probably would've been a lot different. Murmuring at the door captures my attention, but I can't understand what's being said until Jade's voice floats back to us. "Right? This place is like a museum."

She comes back in with Penelope and Maisie in tow who go straight for the table to set down their gifts. Jade's ass barely touches the leather couch before the bell dings again. Shooting up like a rocket, she's off again, saying, "Duty calls."

The others are already making themselves comfortable as I keep strolling around the room pretending to straighten things. I hope I don't seem as nervous as I feel. The pressure is real to make this memorable for Imma, and it's hitting my anxiety hard. Male voices trickle down the hall right before Jade and Imma's guys come into view. Now I'm a lot of things, but a liar isn't one of them. If we weren't spoken for, there's several of those dudes I'd totally hit on in a heartbeat. Jolene shared their names and pictures and stuff with me when we first started planning so I know the shorter, red-haired one is Ollie and nerdo with glasses is his boyfriend. Bearded, tattoo guy is Murphy and the other dark-haired one must be Thatcher. Which leaves Wes. Yeah, too bad we're both taken because he looks like someone that would be some real fun.

Nevertheless, it's rude for the hostess not to introduce themselves so I do as Jade lets Luci in and brings her to where the rest of us are waiting. There's small talk going around as we all wait for Imma and Abilene who's supposed to be bringing her here under the guise of us having our meeting here. Jolene said it was perfect and that she wouldn't suspect a thing.

Stewart, who's been idle near the wall since the guys came in, makes a motion for me to stay as Jolene tells everyone that they're pulling in the drive now. It's an exciting few minutes waiting for them, and by the time I hear their voices down the hall I feel like I'm going to puke.

Then they come around the corner and we yell, "Surprise!"

Thankfully Jolene has her camera out and catches it all on video, because Imma's shocked face is absolutely priceless. Then the tears start as she takes in more of the room. Pretty boy gets up to comfort her and it helps her get herself under control.

Just as quickly, she rounds on Abilene, playfully accusing, "That's why you were acting so weird when I asked why we were meeting here. Word to the wise, don't ever play poker."

Inadvertently jumping in on their moment, I tease, "Why were you worried about coming to my house?"

"Probably because she was scared you were going to try and make us drink the Kool-Aid," Jade fires back.

It speaks volumes that I don't instantly snap at her because a few months ago before I met them, I would've. I still roll my eyes but smile to let her know I'm not pissed before clapping my hands together. "Okay, let's get this party started!"

Stewart takes that as his clue to send in the servers. I nudge Imma's arm as she eyes the liquid in the flutes they're handing out. "Don't worry. I'm not making you drink the Kool-Aid. It's just ginger ale."

She laughs softly and emotion fills her voice as she says, "Thank you. It means a lot to me that you guys did this, and I appreciate it."

Mushy stuff again. Should've known this day would be filled with that in spades. Shrugging a shoulder, I turn to face the others before she can see the smile I can't fend off. "Everyone grab some snacks and eat up. We've got games to play, presents to open, and a gender reveal."

Imma gasps, "Wait, why a gender reveal?

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