Page 116 of The Last Thing
“Back at you.” She lowers her voice. “Mr. Decker.”
“Hal…”
“Payback,” she says with a smirk.
I can’t complain. I love every side of her, but especially the feisty side that drew me in the night we met.
When we walk outto the waiting room, Sophia goes dashing for my mom, who also came along.
“Nana! I was right. It’s a girl!”
Mom stands up and hugs Sophia. “Oh, that’s wonderful.” She looks at the two of us. “Congratulations.”
Hallie tucks her phone away and goes to hug my mom.
As I lean in and give my mom a quick hug too, my phone goes off in rapid succession.
“Where should we go to lunch to celebrate?” Mom asks.
“Oh, what about that one with the dog on the sign? Oh, or the one that has the really yummy fries.”
Sophia goes on ahead with my mom, talking her ear off about different restaurants. Hallie and I walk together behind them, and I pull my endlessly vibrating phone out of my pocket.
Ah, yes. The group chat that Hallie added me to. I’ve officially been accepted into the Baker girls tribe now, and while I’m grateful, their group chat is pure chaos on a good day.
Hallie: It’s a girl! And yes, Sophia is THRILLED.
Frannie: Yay! The first Baker girl of the next generation.
Kennedy: Now I’m extra excited to find out what we’re having.
Brian: Congrats. Love you all.
Hardy: It’s time to start buying all the baby outfits. Get ready for lots of dresses and bows.
Brian: Every time we go to the store, he’s going to be looking at baby clothes now.
Hardy: I call dibs on godfather.
Devon: You can’t dibs that.
Hardy: Why not?
Mark: It’s against the laws of dibbing.
Justin: Seconded! And seriously, if you think you’re getting to be godfather over me, who is like her brother, you are sorely mistaken.
Hardy: Don’t make me fight you for it. You can’t be the godfather to Kennedy’s baby and Hallie’s. That’s against the law of godfathering.
Jade: Again, I’m here to remind you all that anything you say may be used in a story.
Jade: Oh and congratulations. I can’t wait to spoil her rotten.
Me: Thanks for the congratulations. I’m muting this chat now.
I tuck my phone away. Laughing, Hallie does the same, leaning against me as I wrap my arm around her.
Sophia and Mom are still plotting lunch, so I savor this short, quiet moment with Hallie.
