Page 77 of Somehow You Knew

Oh God. What if Miranda is his secret wife and they have like 15 kids together? Maybe that’s why kids aren’t an option anymore! He’s closed up shop!

“Time to eat, by the way,” Dallas says, snapping me out of my spiral.

Astrid and Cashlynn follow Willow inside, but my brother waits back for me. “You look like you’re trying to solve world hunger over here,” he says. “Everything all right?”

I let out a heavy sigh. “I’m fine.”

“I don’t believe you, but we can talk later.” He pats his stomach. “I’m starving and can’t offer sage big brother wisdom on an empty stomach.”

***

“Well, it’s still early, but we just wanted to let everyone know…” Willow glances at Dallas, fighting to contain her smile. “We’re having another baby!”

The dining room erupts as my siblings and mother all shout their congratulations. I glance at Gage beside me, curious to see his reaction.

His smile is sincere, but it doesn’t fully reach his eyes, like there’s a limit to how much he’s willing to show.

“Congratulations, you two.” I lean across the table and place my hand on top of Willow’s.

“Thank you. We actually found out the day you announced you were getting married, but…”

“She didn’t want to steal your thunder,” Astrid finishes for her.

“No thunder has been stolen,” I assure her.

“This means I’m not going to be able to drink at the bachelorette party,” Willow says across the table to Cashlynn. “But that just means I can be the designated driver.”

Cashlynn smiles. “As long as you’re feeling up to it.”

I raise a hand in the air. “Please do, because I, for one, really need a night out.”

Gage raises his eyebrows. “Oh yeah? When exactly is this night out happening?”

“Next weekend,” Parker answers. “And the weekend after that, the boys are going to Blossom Peak for a fishing trip. That includes you, Gage.”

Gage glances at me. “Uh…”

“I’m not taking no for an answer,” Parker cuts in. “Besides, we deserve to let loose too.”

I can tell that Gage feels uncomfortable, so I reach under the table and squeeze his thigh. “You’re part of the family now, remember?”

Gage sighs. “Well, I’m putting it out there now—I may be a pro at cornhole, but I can’t catch a fish for shit.”

Parker laughs. “Not a problem. We bring real food so we don’t starve.”

“Then count me in.”

Astrid looks at me and raises her eyebrows. “Does that mean Gage is going to help build Michael’s jungle gym next weekend while we girls have our day?”

I look at Dallas. “You guys are building him a playset?”

He nods. “Yeah. He’s climbing everything in sight, and we have the space. I’d rather him climb a jungle gym than the walls. But we could use another set of hands.” He peers around me to Gage. “You busy next weekend?”“I have an appointment with a client in the afternoon, but my morning is free. I could definitely stop by for a few hours.”

Dallas nods. “Any help is appreciated.”

I turn to Gage. “Thank you.”

He leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek, catching me off guard. “That’s what husbands are for, right?”

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