Page 76 of The Rules

Dani took a sip of her mimosa as Emma continued tooohandah. She wanted to be happy for Cat. She was happy for her, and she did look so damn adorable with her little belly. But there was a wall between them, something that had never been there before, and she didn’t know how to get past it. If she didn’t have that kind of access to Cat, then she was alone.

An annoying little gnat of a thought buzzed around her head reminding her that she was doing the same thing keeping her new relationship with Dylan secret. That was different though, right? Cat was growing a human in her body. Dani was supposed to be bringing Cat pickles and ice cream and listening to all the gross pregnant body stories Cat would never tell Josh, like peeing her pants or not being able to shave her bikini line.

Cat hoisted herself up onto the stool next to Emma and sighed. “It’s a good thing it’s leggings season,” she said. “I’m officially out of pants that fit.”

“You look gorgeous,” Emma said, beaming.

Sonya nodded, her hand flat on her heart. “You do, Cat.”

“So tell us everything! When did you find out? How did you tell Josh?”

Cat’s expression went flat like it had at the campsite. She looked uncomfortable, maybe even guilty. Good. So she did know it was terrible to keep this from everyone. She was showing and they hadn’t even heard the story of how she found out yet.

“Oh, you know,” Cat said. “I just… told him.” She shot Dani a glance. The kind that said:subject change?

Dani focused on her orange juice and champagne. If Cat was looking for help from her, she wasn’t getting it today.

“Was he out of his mind?” Emma asked. “He must have been so happy.”

“He was. He is.”

“So,” Sonya said, picking up the menus and handing them around the table. “Elephant in the room—you were pregnant at the wedding, weren’t you?”

“Yes, but I didn’t know.” Cat sighed like telling this story was physically paining her. She sent Dani another look, and Dani started to feel guilty. Why was this so difficult? Was telling her best friends in the world about her baby horning in on some private moment between her and Josh?

“Luckily, we found out on the second day of our honeymoon,” Cat said. “Before I could take advantage of the eight swim-up bars at the resort.”

Emma sighed. “You must have been so happy, Cat. It’s so romantic.”

Cat picked up the glass of water at her place setting and drank instead of answering. Her forehead was shiny and damp like she was either going to puke again or she really did need a lifeline out of this conversation.

Seventeen years of friendship twisted in Dani’s chest. She supposed if she was going to make her own announcement, she could throw Cat a line in the process. She chugged the last of her champagne like it was a Bud Light at a frat party and cleared her throat. “Well, I have some news.”

“Oh!” Emma said, shimmying on her stool. “Dani Story time. This will be good.”

“It is.” Though, she might be the only one to think it. “I’ve been seeing someone.”

“And?” Emma clapped her hands.

“It’s been great. Some of the best nights I’ve had in a long time.” She twisted her fingers to stop her hands from shaking. This was harder than she thought and now her drink was gone.

Emma cooed. “That’s great! Who’s the guy?”

“It’s Dylan.”

Cat choked on her ice water.

Sonya peeled her eyes away from her menu, her jaw hanging open. “DylanDylan?”

Dani’s cheeks flamed. “That’s the one.”

“Dylan Pierce?”

“Yes, Sonya. Dylan Pierce. Josh’s best friend.”

“What in the hell?”

“Um…” Emma twisted a napkin in her hand, clearly unsure if she should let her shock show.

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