Page 102 of Unlikely to Stay

Annie revealed the gender, Sadie squealing just as loudly as they did.“Those two are gonna make a beautiful baby.”

They began planning the other details of the shower, including the invitations, the guest list, the other food and the games they would play.“So we have all ofthisplanned,” Sadie said, putting the notes she had been taking on the back of an order pad in her pocket.“But where are we going to have the damn thing?”

“The senior citizen center?”Annie asked.

Sadie shook her head.“No can do.They’re booked solid every weekend for the next month and a half.”

“What?How is that possible?”CC asked, stuffing a pickle in her mouth.

Sadie began ticking things off her fingers.“Old people dance.Mid-summer junior high dance, Christmas in July, block party for Fourth of July, and then town garage sale.All booked.”

“Then where are we going to have it?That’s the only place in town large enough to hold everyone.”

The three women sat in silence, contemplating their options.CC didn’t have any ideas so she chose to stuff pickles in her face.She really wished Sadie would give her the recipe.Not that CC would make them…but still.It was the thought that counted.

“I got it!”Annie said, slapping the table.“I know theperfectplace to have it!”

CC motioned with a pickle for her friend to continue.It was always interesting to see what Annie was going to come up with.

“We can have it at the gym,” Annie said with a grin.

“The high school gym?”

Annie rolled her eyes and popped another pickle in her mouth and shrugged her shoulders.“No, you idiot.Yourgym.Damn, Sade.When are you going to give me the recipe for these?You make the best fried pickles in the history of the world.”

Sadie shook her head.“Nope.I don’t give away my recipes, no matter how much I love you.Besides, we both know your sexy hubby is the one who does all the cooking.”

Annie shrugged her shoulders.“Worth a shot.”

“Hell-O!Why?”CC asked.

“Why what?”

“Why do you think having the baby shower at mygymis a good idea?”

This time, it was Annie’s turn to tick things off her fingers.“It can also serve as the gym’s open house.It’s big enough to have the shower.It’s only a few doors down from here so it will be easy to transport all the food.”

“My gym isn’t the homiest place to host a baby shower.You know…the workout equipment, the weights, the sterile-ness.”

Annie shrugged again.“We’ll bring in some chairs and tables.Throw up some decorations.It’ll be good.And a way to boost your new memberships.Come see all the cute baby gifts and play all the cute baby games and oh, while you’re at it, how about a membership to this amazing new gym with top-of-the-line workout equipment?”

CC thought about what her friend was saying.It did make alittlesense.“Do you really think we can decorate the gym to make it baby shower friendly?”

Annie grinned, knowing that CC was about to agree with Annie’s cockamamie plan.“I cantotallymake it baby shower friendly.Just leave itallto me.After all, wasn’t I the one who planned my granny’s kick ass life celebration?”

She let out a breath and rolled her eyes.“Fine.We can have it at the gym.”

Annie started squealing and clapping her hands enthusiastically.“Yes!This shower is going to be the best shower ever.”

“So when is this shower going to happen?Sadie, when do you think you’ll be able to have the food ready and stuff?”

Sadie tapped her chin.“The finger sandwiches, the cake, all the other baby stuff.Then I’ll also have to have some gym themed food, just so your gym isn’t left out.”

“You don’t have to do that, Sadie.”

Her friend waved her hand at her.“Don’t even try that.It’s the grand opening of your gym.The baby can’t get all the attention.”

“Yeah, Cees.We’ll just divide the room.Half pink.Half…all gym-y.”

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