Page 99 of Fake It Till We Fall
Harper laughed. “Because she’s not sick.” She rolled her eyes, but I still wasn’t totally following. “She just let me believe that so I’d come home.”
“Ohh.” I put the pieces together. “Diabolical.”
“Right?” Harper laughed again. “And I can’t be all that mad since I also told a little white lie. And look how that worked out.” She leaned forward and gave me another kiss.
“I’m certainly not complaining,” I told her. “But you know, I’m pretty sure Willa knew what was going on the entire time. Did you know she was responsible for my volunteer appreciation gift?” I used air quotes. “She wanted us to have a little bit of alone time.”
Harper let out a low whistle and shook her head. “Wow. She’s good.”
“She sure is.” I looped my arm through hers. “Are you ready to share our happy news?”
Her mouth dropped open. “You make it sound like we’re having a baby.”
Her words shocked me. But only for a moment. “Not yet, muffin.” I winked. “Why don’t we take one thing at a time?”
“Ha! That’s not?—”
“What’s this about a baby?” Ethan chose that moment to burst into the back room. “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”
Harper shook her head fiercely and held up her hand. “Settle down.”
“No way. Your baby and our baby will grow up together,” Ethan continued. “That’s cause for celebration if I ever heard one.”
“Whoa!” I put a hand on my brother’s shoulder. “No one here is having a baby. Except you and Delaney,” I added quickly. “But we do have news.”
Ethan’s smile dipped momentarily, but once more lit up at the mention of something else to celebrate.
“Come on, let’s share with everyone all at once, so no one can spread any baby rumors.” Harper shot a look at Ethan and then looked back at me with wide eyes before laughing.
By the time we got back to the table, everyone else had joined Brody. The table was full, with Reid and Avery cuddled along the back wall, Lauren snuggled suspiciously close to Brody, and Delaney and Quinn perched on stools. Even Preston had made it on time. He was still in his ski gear, dusted with snow, but he was there.
Ethan followed us to the table with two fresh jugs of beer that Brody immediately started pouring.
“So?” he prompted once all the glasses were poured and everyone had a glass, Quinn and Delaney with sparkling apple juice instead of beer. “What’s just as exciting as a baby, butisn’ta baby?”
“A baby?” Lauren’s mouth dropped.
Harper and I replied in unison: “No!” and “Stop!”
“No baby,” I said firmly. “Stop it before a rumor really gets going.”
My brother laughed, but I ignored him and looked at Harper. “Do you want to go first or should I?”
Harper’s eyes sparkled as she looked around the table at the expectant faces, then back at me. “Go ahead.”
I squeezed her hand, took a steadying breath, and lifted my glass. “Ollie and I talked this morning. The hardware store is going to be mine.”
The table erupted in cheers and clinking glasses.
Reid leaned over and smacked me on the shoulder. “Well deserved, brother. It’s about fuc—” He stopped himself, looking to Quinn, who was waiting to pin him down with some money for her swear jar. “It’s about time,” he finished with a grin.
Before the noise died down, Harper lifted her glass. “And Grandma gave me the restaurant. Willa’s Whisk is officially mine to run and rebrand.”
Once more, everyone cheered, and there was more celebrating.
“That’s amazing, Harper.” Preston pulled her in for a quick hug.
“Will we still be able to get that yummy lasagna?” Quinn asked seriously.
