I order an ice water and dive into the chips and salsa the moment the server sets them down on the table. “How have you been feeling?” she asks, toying with her napkin.
“Fine,” I tell her over the large smothered chip I just shoved into my mouth.
“Good. No nausea?”
I shrug. “Maybe a little every now and then, but not too bad. I haven’t actually thrown up, which is a plus, because I really, really hate throwing up.”
“Ugh, yeah, so gross.” Harper reaches over and dips a chip in the tomato goodness and munches away. “I hear you had company for dinner last night.”
The smile is already crossing my lips. “Yeah, we did. Samuel told her about the wedding, the rewedding, and the baby.”
“I bet Mom was about to burst with excitement.”
“You know it. She was really surprised it was Samuel who ended up eloping in Vegas,” I tell her.
“No shit! We all are. I mean, I’d pick Marissa or Jensen hand-over-fist to run off and get married before Samuel.”
I laugh. “That’s pretty much exactly what she said.”
“Well, I’m super happy for your two. And just so you know, Latham and I were totally out in the hallway at the hospital, listening.”
I glance up, my eyes wide with shock and humor. “Shut up!”
She’s already nodding. “Totally. He didn’t want to, but the moment Samuel started talking, he was glued in place like a teenager girl.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Well, I was a bit surprised by his confession. I mean, I was prepared to go to my apartment Friday night. Finding those papers, well, I thought there was no way we could move forward.”
“I probably would have thought the same. Actually, in a way, I did think the same. When Latham won the bid on that building, I was so pissed off. I had no idea he wanted to share it with me. Not until he put in all that work and made it a joint space.”
“Then you shagged like rabbits,” I tease, recalling exactly how everything played out that night he told her he loved her and showed her the building. I was a part of it, making sure she was still there that night.
Harper snorts. “He’s definitely a male rabbit. He could go anytime, anywhere.”
“He’s a man, so…”
She snorts and smiles at me. “You know, I love oversharing with you, right?” When I nod, she continues, “But I really don’t ever want to know about my brother’s rabbit tendencies. Deal?”
“So, you don’t want to know that he really likes to take me from behind?”
Her mouth falls open and a look of disgust mars her beautiful face. “Shut up!” she gasps.
“He’s really good with his—”
Harper’s hands go to her ears as she makes noises to block out my words, drawing attention from a few tables around us.
I reach over and move her hands. “Sorry, I’ll be more considerate.”
“Thank you,” she says, dropping her hands completely and grabbing another chip.
“I won’t tell you how much I love riding your oldest brother’s massive cock.”
I hear a gasp, but it’s not from Harper. It’s from the sweet old lady at the table across from us. She looks horrified by my statement, which makes me blush a little.
“See? That’s what you get for being disgusting and talking about my brother,” Harper whisper-yells.
I just shrug my shoulders, relaxing and enjoying the rest of my lunch with my bestie.
After we eat and she pays the bill—actually, I was told it was Samuel who paid the bill—we head out to stop number two. Relaxation Spa is across town and is the best place for mani/pedis. The place is busy, but when Harper approaches the counter and gives our names, they quickly usher us back to the two open pedicure chairs.
We spend the next hour having our feet and hands pampered. Just when I think we’re done, we make our third stop of the day. The massage parlor. When I glance her way, she just smiles. “You’re here for your own relaxation massage, not to give one. Samuel wanted to treat you,” she tells me as we exit her vehicle.
Inside, I find two coworkers and smile warmly. Patti takes me back to her room, and for the next hour, proceeds to massage me from head to toe. At one point, I think I fall asleep, which is crazy considering the amount of sleep I’ve been getting lately. Man, growing a baby sure is tiring work.
Harper’s just coming out of her room as I exit, a sleepy smile on her face. “That was heaven,” she says, handing a stack of bills to both massage therapists.
“Here, let me,” I start, digging in my bag for some money.
“No, Samuel got it. Tip too.”
Finally, we make our way to our fourth and final stop of the day. The ice cream parlor. I feel like a kid as I order a double scoop of Rocky Road and Cherry Jubilee ice cream in a dish, with whipped cream and a cherry. Harper goes with a scoop of chocolate chunk and banana split, and at the table in front of the window, we eat our sweet treats.
By the time we’re done, I feel truly pampered and loved.
“Ready to head home?” Harper asks, as she throws our bowls in the trash.
“Ready,” I confirm, anxious to get home and thank Samuel for such a wonderful day.
When we pull up to the house, Samuel and Latham are standing on the porch. Latham waves goodbye to Samuel, gives me a kiss on the cheek as he passes, and climbs in the passenger seat I just vacated. I turn around just in time to wave goodbye, curious as to what the hurry is.
“Where’s the fire?” I ask as I walk up the steps.
“They just wanted to give us a little privacy,” Samuel says, taking me in his arms and kissing me hello.
“Well, good afternoon to you too,” I tell him.
He takes my hand
