“So many times I’ve lost count,” I tease, kissing her cheek so I don’t smear her makeup. “But I’ll never tire of hearing it.”

“Wait…Is this Anika approved?” There’s a hint of terror in her voice.

“I’m not about to start running my wardrobe by my manager.”

“Oh jeez.”

“It’ll be fine.” I tug her to my side. “Big cheesy grins first,” I say, pointing to where I need her to look. Using the remote in my hand I snap a few of those. Then we move on to her hands on the belly, and my fingers pointed at the wording on my shirt. We make silly faces and kissy faces and then it really is time to go.

Sammi’s still a bundle of nerves as we make our way to the golf cart and head out. “What exactly are you doing with these pictures?”

“Check out my Insta,” I say, chuckling.

She whips her phone out of her purse rushing to the ap. “Oh, Lyle…” Sammi brings a hand to her head, appearing to get a headache. “We better not get in trouble for this.”

“Trust me?” I help her down from the cart when we arrive at Rhett and Korie’s place.

“About everything else?” She nods. “Sure, but when it comes to CEO Barbie? Not a chance.”

“Speak of the she-devil,” I croon as Annie comes traipsing down the drive in what looks to be a cave woman costume.

“Hey Cuz!” Li’l Bit is doing way too much, waving that girl over like they’re best friends.

“What is wrong with the two of you?” Anika shakes her head, laughing. That’s the first sign someone’s been doing us a favor and pumping the girl with happy juice.

“How long ya got?” I ask, leaning in to give her a one-armed hug.

“Not long enough.”

When she greets my wife with a bear hug, I know the girl is feeling no pain. “You two are just lucky the comments are blowing up the right way.” Her pointed finger volleys between the two of us.

“So…you aren’t mad?” Sammi gnaws on her thumbnail.

“Nooo,” she slurs, waving the thought away. “Pshhh. I don’t get mad at everything. Just, you know, the stuff that has the potential to ruin lives. And everyone already knows you’re knocked up and it ain’t his but, like, it really is.”

Li’l Bit looks at me, wide-eyed, and all I can do is shrug.

“There you are, Jane!” Aiden comes sprinting over from the backyard wearing a damn loin cloth.

Sammi nods, piecing their costumes together. “Tarzan and Jane.”

“Hey guys.” My near-nude friend balks at our attire. “It’s fucking Halloween. The slut, slut, sluttiest time of the year. You two couldn’t find something sexier than jeans and T-shirts?”