Page 156 of Let Me Show You

“Ugh,” I groan. “Don’t remind me.”

Noah pops his head in and grins. “Y’all ready to go?”

“Yep. Everleigh will probably be late, which means I can’t be.” I snort.

The three of us pack into the car, and after we drop off Owen, Noah drives me to the town hall.

“Owen knows about Anthony,” I say once we’re alone. “That’s what we were talking about in his room.”

Noah’s brows shoot up. “How’d that happen?”

“He overheard it at Loretta and Elliot’s. Honestly, I’m kinda relieved. He and Anthony could have a genuine brotherly relationship. I never wanted to keep that from him, but I’m worried about what Brittany told Anthony about Gabe.”

“You mean, about how he died?”

“Yes. I have no doubt she fed him some bullshit story, and if so, it’s only a matter of time before Anthony repeats it to Owen.”

“What do you wanna do? If you want me to tell him, I will.”

A small smile appears on my face. “I know you would, but I think he should hear it from me. That way, he can ask me questions right away if he has any, and you’ll be close by if he wants to speak to you.”

“I’ll support whatever you wanna do, sweetheart.” He takes our interconnected hands and kisses my knuckles.

“That’s why I love you.” I smile wider, then sigh. “There’s never a right time for that sorta conversation, so I’m not sure when. Perhaps after we move, so it’s not one stressful thing after another?”

He nods.

Though I hadn’t planned on ever telling Owen the details of what happened, I also don’t want to risk him finding out from someone else. If he easily overheard about Anthony, it’d only be a matter of time before he hears about this too.

“Don’t forget you have to come back and help us load up everything,” I remind him when he parks in front of the building.

“I won’t. Just call or text when you need me.” He leans in and cups my face, pressing his lips to mine. “And I know you won’t listen anyway, but please take it easy. Belinda, your mom, Loretta, Everleigh, and Ruby will be there. Let them do the work.”

I grunt. “I’m the co-host. I can’t just sit on my ass.”

“But you’re supposed to be staying off your feet,” he reminds me.

“I know.” Groaning, I grab my purse from the back seat. “I’ll be careful.”

A couple of weeks ago, after my ultrasound, my doctor called and said that due to having high blood pressure, being over thirty, and carrying multiples, I’m at risk for developing preeclampsia. To avoid swelling up like a balloon and gaining too much weight, she advised me to elevate my feet, drink a lot of water, and get more rest. Seeing as I have a mortgage, rent, bills, and a family to support, I can’t risk being put on bed rest. I don’t want to waste my maternity leave lying in bed before they’re born because I only get twelve weeks.

“Love you,” he calls out.

“Love you too,” I say through the window. “Have fun at the house today. It’s hotter than hell and half of Georgia.”

He smirks with a wink. “I’ll be fine. Stay off your feet.”

Once I’m inside the hall, I find relief with the cool air conditioning. Considering Gemma’s due in a month, I don’t know how she’s surviving in this heat. I remember being so miserable at the end of my pregnancy, especially since Owen was born in August, the hottest month of the year.

Belinda’s catering the lunch, and I find her in the kitchen getting everything ready.

“Everything looks delicious!” I exclaim as I steal one of the rolls. Taking a bit, I double-check my list to make sure I didn’t forget anything. With my baby brain, I’ve had to write everything down, or I simply don’t remember.

Mrs. Wright made cupcakes, and Alessandra delivers them just as Everleigh prances in.

“It’s party time!” she shouts.

“Finally,” I scold.