Page 87 of Summer Nights

We quickly went through the presents, which included the things I'd listed on my spreadsheet and tons of clothes and diapers. It was overwhelming but also nice. I was worried about the cost of everything a baby would need. This would go a long way to setting us up for success.

When we'd opened the last present and Mabel had directed staff to cut the cake, I leaned over and asked, "How did they get me all the things on my list?"

Guilt crossed over his face. "Remember? I created a registry from the list you made, and then I shared it with everyone.”

"It feels weird that so many people want to buy us things."

"That's what you do when someone is getting married or having a baby. Your friends and family want to help you."

I blew out a shaky breath.

"You deserve this." He stood and held out his hand to me. We accepted a slice of cake and sat at one of the larger tables with my friends.

"Were you surprised?" Elena asked me.

"I had no idea. Joy had mentioned throwing a shower, but I assumed I would know about it and be involved in the planning."

Elena smiled. "We figured you'd tell us you didn't need one."

"You know me well," I said dryly.

"Everyone kept asking when you were having one. They wanted to come out and celebrate you and Cooper. You have a lot of friends on the island."

I knew a lot of people: shop owners, homeowners, contractors, and developers. But I didn't see them as friends. I thought of them more as acquaintances. Maybe I needed to rethink that.

"I'm impressed Cooper was able to keep it a secret," Hazel said.

"I thought it was weird he needed me to plant flowers, but I was supposed to wear a dress. But he's overprotective, so I figured he didn't want me on my hands and knees in the dirt."

"Aw. That's sweet," Daria said.

"See, it's sweet. Not overbearing," Cooper leaned close to say.

"It can be a little overbearing. A little bit." I held up my hand to show him some space between my fingers.

"I would love if a man was all overprotective. Any man at this point," Daria said as the girls rallied to offer suggestions, various dating apps, and blind-date options.

I tuned them out because I had my hands full with Cooper and this baby. "Thank you for keeping it a secret. It was a nice surprise."

"Yeah? You're not mad?" Cooper asked.

There was a crumb on his lip that I removed with my thumb. Cooper's gaze heated. "Not at all. It helped that you stuck around."

"I thought you'd like that."

I was outside my comfort zone in these situations. "I've never had a surprise party before, or any party for that matter."

"Not graduation, birthday? Nothing?" Cooper asked, his eyes widening.

I nodded, not meaning to make him feel bad for me.

He grinned. "We'll have to make sure we celebrate everything from here on out."

I gave him a look, and he chuckled. "Don't worry. You'll get used to the attention."

"I don't think I will."

"You're part of the Kingston family now, and you have a ton of friends. Just look around. They're here for you, not me."

---