Page 163 of Cougar

“I have one other gift,” I say.

She turns back to me, her hand fiddling with the necklace. “Did you buy me Minnie Mouse ears for Disney?” she jokes.

I snort. “No.” I pass her the pamphlet with the words “Mended Spirit Foundation” written across the front. “I made a $100,000 donation in your name.”

“What is this?”

“It’s a charity Mimi works closely with. The Mended Spirit Foundation raises money for victims of violence and their families. Everything you need to know about them is in that pamphlet.”

“This is amazing.” She sniffs as she hugs me again. “Thank you.”

There’s a soft knock on the door before Bass’s voice echoes from the doorway. “Princess, you about ready?”

“You can come in, B.”

He walks in dressed to the nines in his designer tuxedo tailored to his large, fit physique. His eyes zero in on Jay and he sucks in a breath. “You look beautiful, Princess,” he chokes out, immediately clearing his throat to mask the emotion in his voice.

His gaze flicks to my face, then slides down over my dress and stops on my stomach. “You look beautiful, too, Emerson.” Sighing, he drags a hand down his face and makes his way over to me, pulling me into a hug. “All he wanted was for you to be happy,” he whispers.

I nod. “I know, B,” I cry into his jacket. Thank God it’s black.

Bass pulls back and drops a kiss on my head, then turns to Jay. “Come here, Princess.”

* * *

The vows have been exchanged, food has been eaten, and the cake has been cut. Drinking and dancing has now commenced.

Laughter rings out from the table where Andrew, Tommy, and Chaz are huddled up. They arrived today for the wedding and will be staying at the house until they leave for the tour.

“What’s happening over here?” I rest my hand on Andrew’s shoulder.

They all exchange a look before he tilts his head up to me and says, “We’re placing bets on when you’re due.”

My face pales and my heart free-falls into my stomach. “I was planning to tell you after the wedding. Today is Zach and Jay’s day, and I don’t want to take away from that.”

Andrew smiles up at me and places his hand over mine. “You were always a selfless woman. I’ve always admired that about you.”

“Congratulations, Emerson,” Chaz says.

“You deserve to be happy,” Tommy adds.

“Thank you,” I reply shakily.

“So who’s the father?” Chaz teases, and I flip him off.Always the asshole.They know I’m with Cam.

“Very funny.”

“So… when are you due?”

I can’t help but smile. “November.”

“Yes!” Chaz shoots up from his chair with his arms raised over his head, earning looks from a few guests at nearby tables. “Pay up, fuckers.”

He snickers as Andrew and Tommy pull out their wallets.

“Hold up,” Andrew says. “Boy or girl.”

Another smile spreads across my face.

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