Page 71 of Baby, It’s Hot Inside

After Nash and I got married, we decided to wait a little while because I realized I wasn’t actually in such a hurry. But babies have a tendency of coming when they want, despite your best plans. And we weren’t really doing all that much to try to prevent it. I’m not very far along, but far enough that the doctor was able to tell me that she heard two strong heartbeats in there.

Twins.

The thought of my kids and Jackie’s kids all growing up on a big chunk of land together just fills me with so much joy, it leaks out my eyes. Okay, I’m crying. Whatever.

The men set down their tongs and walk over to the pool. Luca helps Jackie right herself back on her float. She’s crying too.

She points at me. “Did you know about this?”

I nod. “Only recently though. They’ve been planning it for months.”

“Since before the pool,” Nash says. “The pool is on our side. Their side will get the playscape.”

“Oh my God.” Jackie visibly swallows and I swear to God I see tears in her eyes.

My sister acts so tough and sassy, but beneath that, she is pure fluff. I’m just glad Luca finally broke through her hand candy shell.

“Y’all are the best,” Jackie says, her lip trembling.

The guys bump elbows.

Just then we hear car doors slam and voices.

“Probably Ian and his mystery date,” Nash says.

“He’s bringing a date?” I ask. “You didn’t tell me that!”

“Of course I didn’t. Because then you would have asked me a thousand questions I didn’t know the answer to, and I just wanted to get you naked.”

“Nash!” Jackie holds up a hand. “We’ve talked about this, I do not want to hear you dirty talk to my sister. So cut that out right now.”

“Baby doll, he just said the word ‘naked,’ don’t be so sensitive.”

I can hear footsteps approaching. Which means Ian and his mystery date are going to be here any second. And the last thing Ian needs is for his date to walk into this shit show of a conversation. He has had enough trouble in the past few months without us scaring her off.

“I’m pregnant!” I say spontaneously since I know that will shut down the other conversation. I hold up two fingers. “With twins.”

Luca smacks Nash in the gut. “Over-achiever.”

Nash, just laughs, looking so proud he could bust.

And the look he gives me, which is hot and possessive and just about makes my swimsuit burst into flames … oh, boy, that look is everything. He is everything. Everything I ever wanted for Christmas and for always.