Page 29 of Hello Single Dad

“Vagrant?” I said.

I hadn’t meant to be defensive of him; he certainly didn’t deserve my defense. Maybe I just didn’t want to admit to my mom how bad of a mistake I had made by placing my trust, and my heart, in Dax’s hands.

Instead of responding, she continued toward the backyard, whispering, “Now, when you see Anthea, don’t act surprised. She’s gotten so big, and she’s self-conscious about it.”

I followed her, knowing it was easier to do what Mara said—get it over with. She opened the door to the backyard and led me through. “She’s pregnant,” I said back. “Isn’t growing another human supposed to take up some extra space?”

“Not in your ass.” She winked, then turned toward the cabana and waved. “Donald, she made it!”

My eyes flicked from my dad to the pool, which was colored a bright pink. “Anthea’s having a girl?”

Mom nodded happily.

Dad lifted his martini glass at me from across the pool. “Want a drink?”

Did I ever. “Rum and Coke?”

“Great,” he said, turning back toward the bartender. If that was the best greeting he could offer, I’d take it.

Despite myself, I looked around, trying to see who had come. There was the usual crowd from Brentwood and some of the wealthier families from Emerson. The Academies might have been rivals, but networking amongst the wealthy knew no bounds.

Mother was always trying to schmooze the richest of the rich at these parties. I noticed the Rush family, who were well-known in the gaming industry; the Bhattas, who owned a production company, and...great.

Pam Alexander stood next to her husband, chatting up another couple. She looked up, noticing us, and flashed a falsely warm smile.

Mother fell into the hostess role, walking us closer so she and Pam could exchange kisses on the cheek. I decided I would be professional, even if she acted like she’d melt if a drop of water landed on her.

“How are you, Pam?” Mother asked.

“Wonderful.” She held up a fruity drink with an umbrella sticking out. “This is delicious. You must tell me the name of the service you use.”

Mother put her hands out for Pam to take. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”

They both cackled.

My ears were seconds from bleeding.

“Beatrice, is that you?”

I cringed. Only my mother and father and their colleagues called me that. I turned to see who it was and found a much more pleasant surprise.

16

BIRDIE

Confession: Ihatecats.

“Hi, Anthea,” I said, leaving Mom and Pam talking, and went to meet her where she stood by the pool. She looked absolutely adorable in a strapless white sundress that clung to her growing stomach. Her hair had clearly benefited from the pregnancy, as it fell in thick and lustrous auburn waves.

When I reached her, I gave her a hug. “You look beautiful.”

She rolled her eyes. “Your mother told you to say that, didn’t she?”

“Like she told you to call me Beatrice?” I quipped.

She winked. “I had to tease you a little bit,sister.”

I shook my head. Anthea had a sharp wit about her that made me both like her and fear her a little bit. “How’s the pregnancy going?”

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