Page 274 of Wild Card

“No, honey, the baby is well protected,” I assure him.

“Good, because Daddy says we have to be careful with you.”

“I’m not?—”

“Your dad is right. We have to be careful with your Aunt Lolo,” Talon cuts me off.

“Can we sit her in the shade and you get in the pool now?”

I gaffe at the suggestion. “Why do I need to be exiled in the shade? I can get in the pool, too.”

“We’re about to team up, no girls allowed.”

“You know, this baby may be a girl and I hope you won’t leave her out.”

He looks like I crushed his little spirit and Talon coughs back a laugh.

“What? It’s true. This could be a girl.”

“Yeah, babe, it could be, but likely it isn’t.”

I want to argue with every single person who keeps insisting this is a boy, but it’s fruitless. Chances are super sperm heroes produce boys first.

“’Lo!”

I turn in the direction of my name and find Dad, Mom, Chase, and Bex standing on the patio. Chase gestures for me to join.

“Give us a minute, buddy. I’ll meet you in the pool,” Talon tells Wyatt and steers me toward my waiting family.

“What’s going on?” I ask when we get to them.

“I reached out to a friend today and the system is fixed,” Dad announces, and my stomach does a deep dive.

There was a malfunction in the testing system used to tabulate my exam results. What would have been a five-day waiting period has drawn out to twelve days. Having the wedding to plan and the house to concentrate on was the only thing keeping me sane.

Well, and Talon’s overbearing attention.

“Your results should be in your email,” Chase goes on.

I scan around at the party happening. Kids everywhere, Ford at the grill, Shayla, Harley, and Jewls behind the bar, while Tom is sitting with all the babies.

“It’s not the time. This is Max’s homecoming.”

“You honestly aren’t looking?” Bex taps her foot.

“I can’t. Today is going perfectly. I can’t risk ruining it.”

“Princess, it’s your call, but I think you should consider it.”

“What if I failed?”

“Then you will be surrounded by people who love you,” Mom offers softly. “But I agree that it’s your call.”

“We’ll wait until tomorrow. Let’s get a beer.” Chase takes a step forward and I yank on his arm.

“That’s it? No argument?”

“Nope, you obviously don’t think you passed. If that’s the case, no need to sour the mood. I’m here for a party.”

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