“Remember how you asked me about my mother and why we don’t see her?”

“Uh-huh. You said you have a complicated relationship with her.”

“Right. After what happened a couple of months ago,” she said, knowing she didn’t need to clarify what she meant, “I started to think it might be time to ‘uncomplicate’ that relationship. She wants to see me, so Ang and Trace are bringing her over in a little while.”

“Will I get to meet her?”

“Absolutely. That’s one of the main reasons she wanted to see me. She wants to meet her new grandson.”

“That’s cool. Are you... I mean... Are you weirded out about seeing her?”

Smiling at his choice of words, Sam said, “Not really. It’s time to let bygones be bygones, you know?”

“I guess. Mrs. Littlefield always used to tell us it takes far less energy to forgive than it does to hold a grudge,” he said of his former guardian at the state home in Virginia.

“Mrs. Littlefield may very well be the wisest person in the entire world.”

“She totally is. If I’m going to meet my grandmother, I probably need a shower cuz I stink after hockey practice.”

“You don’t stink, but that’s not a bad idea.”

He ran for the stairs. “Let me know when she gets here.”

Sam watched him go, bursting with pride and gratitude for every minute she got to spend with him.

Shelby emerged from the kitchen and handed Sam a glass of chardonnay. “I figured you might need this after the day you’ve had.”

“You know me so well. Thank you.”

Shelby took a seat on the sofa and curled her legs under her. “Your speech was spectacular. I loved it.”

“Thanks. It was this close to being a spectacular disaster. Freaking dyslexia.”

“Not only did you give hope to women with infertility, you also showed people with dyslexia that they can overcome any obstacle and be successful.”

“And I showed people who puke under pressure they can overcome that too.”

Shelby dissolved into giggles. “Thank goodness that didn’t happen.”

“Can you even imagine? Hi, I’m the second lady. Barf.”

They lost it laughing.

“I already had enough barfing for one week,” Sam said. “And for what it’s worth, you should know your guy holds up well in a crisis.”

Shelby curved a hand over her rounded abdomen. “It’s worth a lot, especially in my current condition. He said you were scary sick.”

“He was a trouper.” Sam glanced at her friend. “I hope you don’t think...”

Shelby held up a hand to stop her from going there. “It’s all good. Avery and I talked the other night, and he reminded me again that he’s engaged to the woman he loves. That’s all I needed to hear.”

“Awww, isn’t he sweet?”

Shelby waggled her brows. “He really is.”

“Barf.”