“Ooh”—Macy squeals—“he’s newly grieving. Let me at him.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pluck it out. It’s a text from Emmie.
At the cove! Jasper and Leo got home early. They brought takeout. I’ve got Fish, Sherlock, and Sprinkles along with my furry crew. Saving a seat for you.
“I gotta go. I’ll be at the cove if you need me. Have at any man here except that one.”
“You know me. I obey orders.” She gives a sly wink. “And by the way, Bizzy, motherhood is a good look on you. Word to the wise, I wouldn’t let Jasper see the headless doll. He might rethink that whole parenthood thing.”
“You’re probably right. Don’t do anything goofy. This month is already off on the wrong foot.”
“What else could possibly go wrong?” she teases, but she doesn’t take her eyes off of the man in the trench coat, and now I know exactly what could go wrong.
I take off, and soon enough I’m on the other side of the property, walking down the sand toward the friendly bonfire illuminating the night at the far end of the cove.
It’s quiet for the most part out here, a decent distance from the revelry at the pumpkin patch, and I see Emmie and Leo holding hands as they sit by the fire while he stokes the flames and our furry menagerie runs wild along the shoreline. The briny scent of the ocean paired with the fresh flames warms me from the inside out. There’s nothing better than an autumn bonfire on the beach with thick wool blankets and cups of hot cider.
Bizzy! Sherlock barks as he heads my way. They’re here! They’re here! Cinnamon and Gatsby!
Sprinkles runs up looking like nothing more than an adorable furry little house slipper in comparison to the lumbering beasts around her.
Hello, Bizzy! she chirps. I got my feet wet! Fish says my tail will fall off if I head into the water. Is that true?
I laugh and shake my head, just as both Cinnamon and Gatsby run up and I offer them a quick scratch on the head. Cinnamon looks every bit the labradoodle teddy bear she is, and the color of her coat lives up to her name. Gatsby is a golden retriever with long flowing hair and glowing amber eyes.
Cinnamon gives a friendly bark. Leo brought Emmie a bouquet of bacon.
Gatsby howls. It must be true love.
Sherlock does his best to vocalize. The best part is—she’s sharing!
That’s my bestie. Emmie has a heart of gold. She would do anything for anyone, especially for me. Our friendship means the world to her—as it does to me.
My heart drums as I come upon the three of them. I can’t bear the fact that tonight just might be the very last night of what I was hoping would be a lifelong friendship. And thanks to Leo’s incessant need to bring Emmie up to supernatural speed, it might just end tonight.
“Bizzy?” Leo stands. Not true. He offers a friendly smile.
“Here she is.” Jasper swoops over and wraps his arms around me. “Kiss me.”
“Anything for you.” I offer up a smooch that lets him know this is just the beginning of what I’m hoping will be a very long night.
My beautiful bride. Your hair looks great.
“My hair looks like a glob of cotton candy was dropped onto my head. But I like your ability to see past the obvious when it comes to my follicular mishap.”
Fish gives a quick yowl. I’m warming your seat for you! The canine crew is running into the water. I tried to stop them, but apparently they don’t care if their tails fall off.
A dull laugh rumbles from me.
“Hey, Biz,” Emmie says as I take a seat between her and Jasper. “What’s that in your hand?” Her face contorts as she struggles to make sense of it.
“It’s just Annabeth,” I say as Fish jumps in and out of my lap with a hiss.
“Gah!” Emmie inches back. “Why?” She looks adorable wrapped in an oversized flannel, which I’m guessing belongs to Leo, and a black and white silk scarf hanging loosely around her neck.
“I’m babysitting for Georgie.”
“That makes total sense.” Jasper groans. “We’ve got Chinese. How about we set Annabeth on this blanket down here? That way you can enjoy your meal.”
“Sounds good.” I hand her off, and soon we’re all diving into the take-out boxes as if we’ve never seen food before. And right after we empty those out, Emmie breaks out a platter of her scrumptious jack-o’-lantern hand pies and we each partake in the yummy pumpkin goodness.
“So wonderful.” I moan. “I’d ask for the recipe, but I think we both know that would be futile.” Despite being born a Baker, my surname did nothing to ensure that I’d be a wonder in the kitchen. I’m more of a one woman walking disaster—burning, singeing, and incinerating as I go. Jasper has kindly offered to help keep the two of us alive by way of takeout and pizza from here to kingdom come. It’s not the healthiest diet, but we’re always eating something delicious.
Emmie shakes her head. “You have the gift of hospitality, Bizzy. I have the gift of baking. How about I take care of dessert for the next fifty years and you host all of our parties?”
“Done deal,” I say before turning to Jasper. “So how’s the case going?”
“Big news.” His silver eyes flash my way. “I wanted to tell you in person.” He nods to Emmie and Leo. “Don’t say anything, but it turns out, Blair Bates was six weeks pregnant.”
Both Emmie and I gasp at the very same time, and if I’m not mistaken, I think I heard Annabeth gasp, too. Fish is seated in front of
