“Well, yeah. I’ve read a couple great books on pregnancy and motherhood. I’ve reached out to some friends who have kids and picked their brains. I mean, I get that we have a lot of time, but still…I’m a little disappointed, Grey. I’m not the only one becoming a parent for the first time here. I’m also not the only one working. I’m busy, but I still make time for what’s important.”

I tug a hand through my hair. Let out a sigh. “I know, I know. Work’s just been insane lately.”

“When is it ever not insane for you?”

“It’s for us, you know,” I reply. “I work hard for us.”

Julia tilts her head and gives me a look.

“I’ll read some books, I promise. I’ll try harder. I’m sorry, Julia. It’s been a while since I did this.” I motion between us. “Also, give me some credit. I’ve helped out a lot with Ford and Bryce over the years. I have some firsthand knowledge of what it means to be around. Be present, as much as I’m able to, anyway.”

She nods. “That’s fair. But promise me you’ll learn? That you’ll make the effort with me and our baby?”

I nod. “Absolutely.”

“Good. The girls are meeting me in February—the weekend of the twentieth—at Hello Baby to pick some stuff out. You’ll be there, right?”

“I’ll be there,” I say, even as a hand grips my heart and squeezes. That weekend is the grand opening of a champagne bar we’ve been working on with a local sommelier. Whatever. I’ll figure it out. “I promise I’ll learn. I learned to make love to you pretty damn quickly, didn’t I?”

Julia lifts her brows, one quick, saucy bounce, and grins. “I have to say you’ve gotten really great at that.”

“Finish your food.” I nod at her plate. “I’d like to take lessons from the Professor in how I can make it even better for her. She’s an excellent teacher.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Julia

Eli and Olivia aren’t having bridal parties—no bridesmaids or groomsmen—but she requested that Gracie and I get our hair and makeup done with her the day of the wedding.

Saturday morning dawns cold and clear. Beautifully so, the sun scrubbing the sky clean of any clouds. Grey and I decided to treat ourselves to a room for the weekend at the hotel downtown where Olivia and her family are staying. We grab coffee and breakfast biscuits at the cafe off the lobby for breakfast, and then I head upstairs to meet the bride.

I tear up the second I enter the suite. Gracie is already in the makeup chair, eyes glued to the ceiling as an artist carefully applies mascara to her bottom lashes.

The scents of coffee and hairspray fill the room.

Fill my heart to bursting. I love my girlfriends. My village. So much.

Olivia’s wedding dress hangs in front of a window, the morning light streaming through the gauzy material.

She’s sitting on the sofa, finishing off a bowl of what looks like cheesy grits with eggs and scallions.