Page 152 of The Me I Left Behind

“And what about the baby? Whose is it?Whereis it?”

Willow grasped Lia’s arms. “Slow down. The baby is with Spence. All is good. And yes, she’s mine.”

“We wondered if you were trying to trick us.”

“So when you were sick…?”

“Some of that was pregnancy and some of it was some other health issues that are all taken care of now. I’m fine.”

They all rushed together then, chattering and laughing. After a moment, they settled down and Lia asked, “But how? And where have you been? Can you tell us?”

Willow glanced at Wren. “We can tell you a little. Not much.”

“See that guy over there?” Wren subtly pointed to a man sitting on the bench at the top of the dune walkway that led from Tequila Sunrise to the beach.

“Yes?” Lia said.

Julia clasped Wren’s arm. “He’s a cop. I can tell. Undercover.”

Willow took a deep breath. “Yeah,” she said softly. “We’re in witness protection.”

Alice’s eyes flashed bigger. “Seriously? Like in the movies. Is he like, your handler or something?”

“Something like that. He’s kind of our bodyguard for today, and he’ll have to stay in the house tonight. Hope that’s okay.”

Alice waggled her brows a little. “Is he available?”

Wren laughed. “I thought you were married?”

Julia waved a hand and scoffed. “Yesterday’s news.”

“I’m getting a divorce,” Alice said.

Willow laughed. “Alice, you tart you!”

Alice’s cheeks pinked.

Julia snorted. “Tart? You have no idea. She is leaving George for a woman.”

Wren’s mouth dropped open.

Willow shouted, “Get the fuck out of town!”

“It’s true.” Alice said.

Willow put her arm around Wren’s shoulders. “We’ve been gone too long, sister.”

Maggie pushed forward. “Enough about Alice’s old news. I want to know more about Mr. Undercover over there. Do either of you have dibs?”

“That, my dear,” Wren said, “is outside of his job description. He’s here to keep us safe.”

“Say more.”

The twins shared a glance. “We can’t,” Wren said. “Maybe one day, but not now.”

“Can you stay all week?” Alice asked.

“Just tonight. We have to leave in the morning.”

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