Landon

Brooke excused herself for the lady’s room about twenty minutes ago. From the minute she left my sight, I have had a huge anxiety. I have been slowly inching my way in the direction she went, but people keep stopping me left and right. After I excuse myself from another group of people who just want to talk business, I think I am home free when I run into Jared.

“Hey, man. What’s up?”

Trying not to seem annoyed, I stop and make conversation. I do not want Jared to know about my anxiety. It is stupid really, but the thought of her collapsing again chills me to the bone.

“Nothing. How are you?”

“Good. Did you see the new wheels I got? Pretty fucking sweet.”

“Yeah, she’s a real beauty,” I say distractedly as Brooke finally appears in my sight again. Sonia is walking next to her.

“Did you bring Sonia as your date? I thought you said it wasn’t going to work between you two.”

Jared turns in the direction I am staring at. “Hell, no. I didn’t bring her here. I came solo.” Jared glares in her direction.

I hear Brooke’s soft laughter as she finally reaches us, and my anxiety disappears. “Sonia.” I nod my head to her in greeting.

“Hey, Landon, Jared.” Sonia’s voice sounded cold when she said Jared’s name. She glances back at me. “So, have you guys seen Daisy yet?”

“Not yet but we should probably head that way now.”

“Perfect. I haven’t seen her yet either. Mind if I tag along?”

“Not at all.”

I glance at Brooke. She seems to be in brighter spirits with Sonia around. I wonder if I will be seeing her around the house more often. But Brooke’s never really invited any of her friends to the house before. At least, not to my knowledge. Come to think about it, I do not think I’ve met any of Brooke’s friends. I kick myself for another thing that I’ve yet to learn about my wife.

The sound of a baby’s screech fills our ears as we enter the sunroom. Rebecca and Derik are sitting on a sofa the baby in a bassinet in front of them. Sonia hurries over and coos at the baby. I glance at Brooke as she stares at the baby adoringly. Suddenly, I wish she is showing off her baby bump. I want the whole world to know that she is pregnant with my baby. Want a little girl swaddled in her arms as she cooed down at her.

Turning, I greet Derik and Rebecca, congratulating them again on the baby. I met Daisy before when I went to see them at the hospital. Sonia picked up the baby and sat in one of the chairs next to the sofa. I take a seat in one of the two that were to Derick’s right, and Brooke takes the one beside me. Sonia asks Rebecca a million questions and conversation seemed to just flow. After about twenty-five minutes, Sonia offered to pass the baby to Brooke.