“I love you, you know that.” She all but moans as she drops into the water, settling into a bench seat next to me.

“I am pretty lovable.” I wink. The only thing that could make this better would be a glass of prosecco because the non-alcoholic version they gave me at check-in really sucks. Another Braxton Hicks rumbles in me but I do my best to keep my face from twinging. If Lyndsey even suspected there was a chance it was a real contraction she would have me in the car faster than lightning.

If not that, she would call Liam and he would demand we go to hospital. By now I know my own body… or at least I hope I do.

Besides, hiding pain is my superpower. I’m the queen at it. The trick is to divert and distract by talking about something that might make the other person uncomfortable so they are so worried thinking about themselves they don’t even notice the twitch in my eye or sweat on my brow.

“I’m enjoying not being at the shop right now. Does that make me terrible?” Distract and divert.

“Of course it doesn’t make you terrible. You worked hard to get it off the ground, now you are doing the same for your family. Balance and shit.” Lyndsey coming in clutch, never mincing her words.

“But what if I never want to go back?” At the moment, I do want to go back. I love Bloom and Blossom so there is no way I could give it up, but I still want to see what she will say.

“Then you’d have to hire another person because I’m great but I’m not superwoman.” She laughs but I know she’s right. I have put a lot on her the last few months of this pregnancy, but there is no one I trust more with my business.

“There’s no way I’d stay away, but a new hire doesn’t sound too bad. Spend more time with Jack and the baby.” I muse. I want to be there and at home all at once, but if Lyndsey isn’t a superwoman then I guess astral projecting is out of the question.

“And your baby daddy.” She laughs.

“Sure, him too.” My eyes roll but she’s right. I like spending time with Liam. If I’m being really honest, I love it.