Page 72 of Unpredictable
Alexis grinned and mimed raising an imaginary glass to toast. Lauren and Harper joined her. “To Juliana.”
“To new beginnings,” Harper said with a warm smile.
“And hot men,” Lauren added, which only made us laugh, even as we all said, “Here, here.”
I took a swig and passed the bottle to Lauren before grabbing a cracker and a piece of cheese. “Thank you, guys.”
“Of course,” Harper said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Another thing I forgot—” She rolled her eyes. “Napkins.”
I tilted my head to the side. Now that I was paying attention, Harper seemed distracted. She rarely forgot anything. It was part of the reason she excelled as a film location scout—she seemed to have a photographic memory.
“Everything okay, Harp?” I asked.
“Yeah.” She flashed me a bright smile. “It’s been a hectic week at work.”
“Ugh. Work.” Alexis flopped back in her chair. “That’s the last thing I want to think about right now.”
“Wolfe is being a pain in the ass about an investment property,” Lauren said by way of explanation.
“When is he not a pain in the ass?” Alexis asked.
“True.” Lauren popped a cheese cube in her mouth. “But he brings you a ton of business. So, he can’t be that terrible.”
Alexis nodded. “Speaking of terrible, Sophia is driving me crazy about her birthday.”
“Uh oh.” I took another drink. “What now?”
“She wants to invite every kid from her culinary summer camp.”
“So?” I shrugged, handing her the champagne. Clearly, the woman deserved a drink.
“That’s like two hundred kids.”
“Oh.” I laughed. “Okay. Well, how about just the ones from her class?”
Alexis pushed her hair away from her face. “I suggested that, but you know how stubborn she can be. Maybe I should have Preston try.”
I nodded. “She’ll listen to him. Otherwise, we’re going to have to rent out an Olympic-sized pool.”
We all laughed.
“Riley would have a field day,” Lauren said, referring to her labradoodle. “All those kids running around.”
I shook my head. “Oh dear lord.”
“How’s Hunter?” Harper asked.
“Great. He’s got some exciting new apps in the pipeline. So, he’s happy,” Lauren said. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to call you, Juliana.” She turned to me. “I have a party I’d love your help with.”
Before I could inquire about the occasion, Alexis leaned in as if sharing a secret. “Guess who’s pregnant?”
“You?” I teased, but I knew she and Preston were done having kids. One surprise baby was enough. I turned my attention to Lauren, eyes wide. “What? You’re pregnant?”
As much as Lauren loved kids, I didn’t think she’d ever want to have her own.
“No.” Lauren waved her hands in front of her as if to ward off any fertility mojo. “Not me.” She glared at Alexis. “Kate.”
“Aww. Really?” I asked, and she nodded. “How does Hunter feel about the fact that his baby sister is knocked up?”
