Page 131 of Dangerous Encore
"Pretty sure she appreciates howbossyhe is," Joel teases. He tries to imitate Mal's low, deep voice. "Get on the bed on your back. I want to tieyouup."
Bella makes a show of fanning herself. "What were yousaying?"
Joel leans in to whisper something inherear.
She laughs and places her hand on the top of her stomach. The two of them announced her pregnancy last month. Every time I've seen them since (only twice what with all the touring), they've beenglowing.
She's just starting to show. And her boobs are even huger thannormal.
Bella turns to me with a smile. "Will you forgive me if we leave early? I have… somethingtodo."
"Your husband." Joel wraps his arms around her. "You need to do yourhusband."
"I prefer baby daddy,"shesays.
"It's only baby daddy if you're unmarried." Joel looks around the room forsupport.
Ethan shrugs. Violet nods. Mal and Kit both shake their heads in thatyou're ridiculousgesture.
"Bella should call you whatever she wants,"Pipersays.
"How aboutyour majesty?" Joeloffers.
"How about you make your mouth useful?" Bella smiles, despite herblush.
"Fuck yeah." Joel's eyes light up. He nods to the couch then to the stairs. "Here or upthere."
Piper clears herthroat.
"That won't stop him." Kit turns to us. "Congrats. Really. You two deserve it." He takes his turn hugging eachofus.
Then Joel and Bella take theirturns.
Then Violet. "The ring isbeautiful."
"She helped pick it out,"Malsays.
"It was still your call." She looks to me. "Itsuitsyou."
"I think so too." I smile back at her. It's easy to feel outclassed next to Violet, Piper, and Bella. They're all prettyandstylish. I dress like a filmmaker. Functional, notnecessarilycute.
But the three of them always make me feel like I fitrightin.
"I'm glad you finally locked that down." Piper winks at me. "You don't want to let hergetaway."
"Why do you think we're gonna set a date for just after Christmas?"heasks.
"You are!" Violet claps her hands together. "That's great. Do youneedhelp?"
"Yeah… probably." I play with my skirt. Mal is taking care of the practical details. But I still need to figure out a dress. Hair. Makeup. Shoes. It's an event initself.
"I know a great Etsy shop that does rush orders," Violet says. "If you're interested incustom."
"Ooooh, like yours?" Piper's voice gets dreamy. "It wasamazing."
Violet nods. "Or we can try to get something off the rack. Let'sgosoon."
"Monday!" Piperinsists.
