We hired Nic’s sister to watch all the kids and met up at Jackson Brews for dinner, and I found myself the only Jackson sibling without a date. Everyone is settling down and settling in. Hell, none of my brothers have ever been as happy as they all are right now. And me? My life is a deck of cards and I’ve just stepped into an endless game of fifty-two pickup, but knowing my brothers are so happy makes me feel a little steadier, though my own future is foggy at the moment.

Despite the meal being over, no one seems in a rush to go. I totally understand why my family is lingering, but I just got off a plane an hour before the meal, so between jet lag and first-trimester exhaustion, my bed is calling my name.

I tap Mom’s arm. “I’m going to head out.”

She squeezes my hand. “We didn’t get a chance to talk about your interview. Do you like the school?”

I’m flooded with adoration for this woman. She didn’t just birth me. She raised me and loved me and showed me what it means to be a mom. Because of her, I know I’m going to do all right by this baby. “The campus was beautiful, and I think the interview went well. They’re going to make a decision by the end of the month.”

“I don’t want you to go, Shay, but I’ll be fine if this job is what you want. We’ll all miss you, but we’re your family no matter where you live.” Her gaze flicks to my untouched wine—Brayden poured—and back to me before curling her lips into a knowing smile. “You have news you’ve been keeping from me, and I can’t figure out why.”

My laughter takes even me by surprise and comes out as a bit of a giggle-snort. “Of course you know. You probably knew before me.”

“I knew the day Easton came back to town and you didn’t drink your champagne. You’re a fan of liquid courage, and something had to be off for you to push it aside that day.”

She knew before I did. Of course. “I found out Monday,” I whisper. “And I’m scared and surprised, but I’m not sad—not about the baby part, at least.”

“The man from school is the father?” she asks.

I nod.

“Will he be involved?”

I shake my head.

“Maybe that’s for the best, huh?”

“How would you even know that?”

She wipes my cheek, like she’s washing away a messy child’s dinner. “He didn’t make you happy. I could see that.”