Page 75 of Love is an Open Book
After our interrupted arboretum date, things were tense, and Gavin dropped me off at home. I can’t believe I thought that being in a relationship would make the question of him moving simpler. Scott’s reaction to seeing us just proves I was right to keep this between us.
Unable to sleep, I ended up writing most of the night. Between Evie’s nudging and the existential dread of not finishing in time, I’ve managed to make it to the third act of the book. But Gavin called me at 6:00 a.m., frantic because Ash was missing. I came over to help look and we found her sleeping in his open sock drawer. One thing led to another, and I discovered that even if things are more complicated this way, making up is a lot more fun. I barely made it back to my condo in time to get ready for the baby shower.
We decided to arrive separately to avoid clueing our friends in to what’s going on between us. Well, I decided and convinced Gavin. He thought not driving together would lead to more questions. But Sera’s aunt greeted me at the door and slyly reminded me I could’ve brought a plus-one before directing me through to the yard, proving I was right and people would’ve jumped to conclusions if I’d shown up with Gavin.
Sera wraps me in an enormous hug the moment I step outside, her round belly still small beneath her flowy maxi dress. She wanted to wait until later in the pregnancy to have a baby shower, but her doctor mentioned the possibility of bed rest, so we’re having it now, when she’s in the second trimester.
And byweI mean her sisters, aunts, and mother, who took over the planning, leaving me to do the text message equivalent of smile and nod. The only suggestion of mine that won out was to request guests bring a signed picture book instead of cards.
“I’ll warn you,” she says, arm linked through mine as she leads me through round tables decked out with woodland centerpieces. “My aunts were in charge of the games, and they’re planning to throw down. I hope you’re prepared for things to get fierce.”
She hardly looks ready for battle in a floral dress with a sweetheart neckline, her honey-blond tresses flowing loose down her back, but when it comes to Sera, looks can be deceiving. She’s a lawyer and was winning disagreements with our landlord back in college long before she passed the bar.
My last baby shower was at the age of eight, and all I remember was sherbet punch and blowing bubbles, but I’m always up for a friendly competition. “Bring it on. Should I go easy on them?”
“Ha.” She lets out a humorless laugh. “Don’t, or they won’t respect you.”
“No mercy, got it.” This is going to be more fun than I expected. Also, it will be easier to hide what’s going on between Gavin and me with everyone riled up over party games.
Joe is by the beverage table, looking handsome as ever in a loose short-sleeve button-down and khakis, chatting with a handful of guys. I recognize his two brothers, but the rest are strangers, and Sera introduces us.
“Where’s Gavin?” Joe asks, once the others have stepped away to chat with other guests.
“On his way, I’m sure.” I’m actually not sure, since I tore myself away from him hours later than planned and went back to my place to do my hair and makeup in record time.
“Figured you’d ride together since it’s such a drive,” Sera says. They live closer to the city than us, about a half hour away.
“Nothing like the trip out to Wisconsin, though,” Joe says. “Can’t believe Gavin’s thinking of ditching us.” He pauses, brown eyes wide. “Please tell me you already knew.”
I brush off his concern. “It would be a big change, that’s for sure.” An understatement, but I’m trying to play it cool. “Then again, things are already changing.” I lift my chin toward Sera’s rounded belly. “You’re about to be parents.”
She eyes me with concern, like she’s not buying my nonchalance. “But this baby is all happy news. Gavin leaving would be bittersweet, especially for you.”
I don’t bother to play dumb. Girlfriend or not, out of the three of us I’m the closest to Gavin. More so than even Joe, though Gavin stood up at their wedding. We used to joke about what cut of gown he’d look best in as my man of honor, but now the thought of him giving me away to another man feels utterly wrong, like a misprinted page in a book, the text flipped upside down. “I’d hate to see him go, but I want him to be happy.”
“Always seemed happy where he’s at,” Joe says. “Especially lately. Didn’t even have a comeback when I messed with him about the Brewers’ losing streak the other day. I asked if he’d met someone new, but he denied it.”
“Because I haven’t.” Gavin walks up, his denial the perfect cover because it’s true; we’ve known each other forever. “Niceto know you’d be spilling the news if I had, though.” He grins and pulls Joe into a handshake-hug and I catch the scent of the woodsy cologne that lingers on his pillow.
He’s dressed for the outdoor party in chambray shorts and a short-sleeve button-down that hugs his frame. I left his house not long ago, but the sight of him, all big smiles and casual hotness, has me flipping through my mental list of excuses in case we get a chance to duck out early.
Joe laughs. “You know I can’t keep a secret to save my life. Besides, anything you tell me, Mia already heard yesterday,” he says, and I don’t bother denying it. “She’s a closed book when it comes to talking about your love life, though.” He takes a sip of his fizzy drink, eyes on Gavin.
Is it my imagination, or does a look pass between the two of them? To get Joe off the trail, I ask, “Is that a virgin paloma?” Last week, the group text was a flurry of nonalcoholic drink ideas, and I can’t remember what they settled on.
“A sparkling peach-ginger mocktail,” Sera says. “If I can’t drink, nobody’s drinking.”
“Makes sense to me.” Gavin picks up a crystal glass and ladles punch into it. Renting tableware was Sera’s mom’s idea. At least she footed the bill. “So what happens at these things?” he asks. “I’ve got to admit, it’s my first baby shower.”
“We’ve been to our share since starting parenthood classes,” Sera says. “But the main thing you should know, like I was telling Mia, is my family doesn’t play around when it comes to games.”
Gavin pauses, glass halfway to his lips. “Isn’t that the point of games?”
Sera and I share a look that sayseasy target. “I know who I don’t want on my team,” I tell her with an exaggerated tilt of my head in his direction. He may be handsome and the best friend a girl could ask for, but he’s one of those annoying everyone’s-a-winner types and I play to win.
“Oh, come on.” He turns to Joe. “Guess that leaves us.”
“Why not?” Joe lifts his chin to where the older women are hovering near the hors d’oeuvres, with hair-sprayed pixie cuts and lacquered bobs, deceptively innocuous in their linen pantsuits and A-line dresses. “I don’t stand a chance against those ladies anyway.”
