Page 120 of The Hookup
“It’s always been that way for you,” Savannah replied. “I don’t know how you do it.” She paused, then, “Is everything else okay?”
“Everything’s good,” Kay replied, laughing nervously. Even if she started to tell Savannah everything, where would she start? Not that this was the right time or the place for it, and hell would freeze over before she ever told Savannah about her and Luke. Still, there it was, on the tip of her tongue, the whole sorry mess, waiting to be unloaded, and cleared off her chest.
But she couldn’t. She couldn’t tell Savannah that she had lied, that she hadn’t even taken heed of her advice from the start, that her need to be with someone had started back at the island. Her cousin didn’t need to hear all about her romantic woes all over again. Especially when Kay had been lying to her about her so-called man free diet.
“I lost a major client deal,” she said, finally.
“Nooooooo.” Savannah expressed the right amount of shock, and sympathy to make her feel better. “What happened?”
“Well,” she said, stumped for an explanation. “A whole lot of things.”
“But I don’t understand. You loved your work.”
“It hasn’t been an easy few months.”
“Why, what’s going on?” Savannah rubbed her stomach lightly. “I wish you’d told me. I’ve been so wrapped up in my pregnancy, and the new house, and the move. I should have turned up on your doorstep when you didn’t respond to my messages.”
“No, you mustn’t feel bad.” She attempted to put on a brave face. “It’s nothing major. Nothing that can’t be fixed.” While she hadn’t shed any tears over Geoffrey backstabbing her, she had shed plenty over Luke.
“I know that look,” said Savannah, peering at her in concern. “You’re upset. Tell me.” She squeezed Kay’s forearm gently, this woman who was overflowing with mothering hormones was going to extricate everything from her if she wasn’t careful.
“It’s really not a big deal,” she said, fighting to keep her voice steady even though her eyes were welling up. She forced herself to toughen up, because this cousin of hers knew her better than most, and would soon discover everything if she wasn’t careful.
“That’s not nothing,” pressed Savannah. “Kay,” she said, her voice tender, her hand squeezing gently again. “You’re worrying me. What’s going—”
“Ta-da!” said Max. She walked in hugging a snowy fluffy ball of fur in her arms. “The newest member of our family.”
“Awwwww!” Savannah cried gleefully. “Such a cute little dog!”
“It’s a French Maltese,” declared Briony, looking ecstatic.
“He’s what we’ve settled on for now,” added Max. “We’ve still planning to adopt a child, butsomeone,” she rolled her eyes as she said it, “needs more time to get used to it.” She set the dog on the floor, and he padded around, sniffing at Kay’s gift bags. The atmosphere in the room suddenly turned prickly.
“What’s he called?” asked Kay, hoping to diffuse the tension.
“Fondue,” Max replied.
“What?” Savannah laughed as Fondue started to sniff around her ankles and she reached out to stroke him. “Don’t let Jacob see him,” she begged. “He’ll want one.”
“He’ll have two siblings to play with soon enough,” Kay interjected.
“True,” said Savannah, stroking the dog again. “Though I could totally change my mind about getting one of these. He’s adorable, and Jacob is forbidden from coming here.”
“He’s cute, isn’t he?” asked Briony, lifting the puppy to her arms and kissing him. “I think we’re going to have our hands full looking after this little one.”
“There’s no reason we can’t have both.” Max eased herself down on the couch next to Savannah. “We’ve got some games to play later, and then you can open your presents.” Max gazed at Savannah’s stomach. “You must be so excited,” she said.
“Relieved more like,” Savannah replied.
Kay turned to hear Briony sigh, and leave the room.
“She’s not ready,” said Max. “She’sstillnot ready. She thinks Fondue is going to win me over, and that I’ll forget about needing a child, but I won’t forget.”
“It’s a big decision,” Savannah told her. “Both of you have to be on board, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Briony needs time, and a baby is a big commitment, but I’m sure she’ll come around.”
“She’s always loved being hassle free,” grumbled Max. “I’m trying to understand her viewpoint, but I have needs too. And my motherly instinct seems to have gone into overdrive lately. Around the time you and Jacob showed up…or maybe before that. You having twins has made it even worse, not that I’m blaming you,” she added hastily.
“Well, you’re both welcome to babysit for me, as much as you want, to get a feel for things,” Savannah replied. “Tobias and I are spending a month back in Kawaya. You’re welcome to come out then.”
