“Ring? What kind of ring are you talking about?” Rosemary stands slowly followed by Sage. Cassia is already leaning against the marble counter.

“Maybe it’s a mood ring? I need to get one for myself they are trending.” Cassia bites into the carrot stick.

“Show us the ring.” Sage says as she rubs the side of her tummy.

I dig into Kai’s baby bag and take out the red and gold box.

The ring glitters when I open it.

“Oh shit, that is not a mood ring.” Cassia comes around the counter and bends, joining Rosemary and Sage as they inspect the ring in the box.

“Shit, that is some engagement ring,” Sage voices as she takes Kai from Rosemary.

I turn around to stop Kyros, but it’s too late.

“Engagement? Ha. This is Anise Demopoulos, wife of Eryx Demopoulos.” Kyros takes a toothpick from Sages’ toothpick box and puts it to the side of his mouth. God, I wish he would swallow it and choke. He sits on the bar stool near the counter.

Kyros’s announcement made the room quiet. Why did have to make it sound like I am royal from an old world? I give him a side eye and a sneer.

“Excuse me. You got married?” Cassia inquires.

“Without us being there?” Sage eyes tear up, but she rocks Kai as he rubs his eyes fighting sleep.

“When did this happen?”

I swallow. “Last week.”

I didn’t know what to say. Rosemary stared at me with no expression. A blanket face. It’s moments like this I remember that I’m the youngest of the four of us.

The tension in the room thickens.

“I don’t want to hear any more lies. I want the truth and I want all of it.” Rosemary takes a bottle of red wine and pours it into her glass.

I turn back to Kyros. “Can you give me some privacy?”

He shrugs, the toothpick hangs in the corner of his mouth. “No can do, Mrs. D.”

Rosemary gets up and walks to Kyros. “Hi, I’m Rosemary. Can we talk for a minute? Follow me.”

Kyros slides off the stool and follows Rosemary. They stop before the patio doors. With her back to us she begins to whisper at Kyro.

His jaw hangs open and the toothpick falls out. He nods and walks out to the patio to sit.

“Um, what the hell happened?” I ask.

“Nothing to worry your little head over. Now talk.” Rosemary sits and sips her wine.

Sage still is rocking Kai who has now fallen asleep. Cassia pulled the platter of cheese toward her.

Dropping my bag on the nearby sofa. I proceed to tell them about Mr. High value and the elevator.

I tell them about how Eryx saved me, and I pause.

“What is it?” Cassia asks.

I nibble at the corner of my lip wondering how am I going explain the rest of it?

“Time out. I am carrying Kai in the nursey.”