“I’ll take your word for it. Hey, you coming with me to my dad’s for his birthday dinner? There will be caaaaaake…” I sing-song. “Plus, they’ve missed your dry wit.”

“Says the Queen of Dry Wit.” She laughs, popping a piece of gum in her mouth. “Yes, I love Sunday dinners with your family, and I wouldn’t miss Gary’s birthday for the world. Let’s stop and get some wine before we go.”

I stand and smooth out my dress. “Of course, Mrs. Bell. Dottie and Keith are going to the Firehouse with Blaze tonight. Maybe we can meet them afterward?”

“Hmm, I would, but Preston and I have special plans.”

I narrow my eyes suspiciously. “Special plans…”

She takes a deep breath, then shakes her head. “Fine! I wasn’t going to say anything, but… I’m ovulating.”

She’s ovulating… She’s… Holy shit, she’s ovulating!

“Oh, my god!”

She squints her eyes, bracing herself as I tackle her with a bearhug. “Sondra, oh my god. You two are trying to have a baby?”

“Let’s put it this way, we’re not not trying.” She laughs into my hair as I tighten my hold on her.

“I’m happy for you!” Tears roll down my cheeks in waves. “It’s so soon…”

“It is.” She sways with me as we rock back and forth. “We’re ready, sweetie. We’re so extremely happy we want to share this love. It’s too much for just us.”

“I’m going to be an aunt…” She sniffles into my neck and I know she’s crying too. She pulls back, but I tighten my hold, keeping her in my arms. “No. I’m never letting you go.”

She laughs and we both cry in each other’s arms. My best friend, my sister. She became a wife and now she’ll become a mother. She’s exactly the type of mother this world needs: selfless, kind, and compassionate.

She deserves this as much as anyone could. But I don’t ignore the weight that crushes my chest. We always planned to do these things together: Fall in love, get married, have babies… But those were plans we made when we were kids. Before we knew from experience how unpredictable life can be.

Before I fell in love with a man I had no business falling in love with.

* * *

After having dinner with my dad and brothers, then dropping Sondra off at home, I skipped meeting Keith and Dottie at the Firehouse for drinks. I’m not in the mood for dancing and socializing. But I vowed to the three of them that come next weekend, I’m putting all my wallowing behind me.

Even though my heart feels shattered, I know it’s time to move on.

That gives me one week to bathe in my misery without having to endure the scrutiny of my best friends. One week and then I’ll shed this tormented skin like a snake. I’ll rebirth myself from the dirt like a freshly waxed phoenix.

Which reminds me, I should make an appointment for a full Brazilian at Grizzly Bare.