Dean sneaked a look at me. “She’ll be down soon. Coffee?” He reached for a mug and started pouring. “Silly question. When have you ever said no to a caffeine infusion?”
“Never?” Jake laughed and turned to me. “How are you?” He leaned in and kissed my cheek, leaving a waft of sexy man scent in his wake. “Did you get out for a run? It’s beautiful by the water.”
“I hit my mandatory ten. You?”
He shook his head. “No time today. I drove Sari to stay with Tía for a few hours.”
Dara bounded down the stairs, and headed to Jake, throwing her arms around him and planting a smacking kiss on his cheek. “So happy you came,” she said with a wink at me.
“It’s ready, so everyone sit.” Dean motioned toward the table as he loaded plates with toasted English muffins, topping them with crispy pancetta, poached eggs, and Hollandaise, adding a side of crispy hash browns.
“Let me help.” As I served the plates, Dean put the finishing touches on the fruit plate, and Jake poured fresh-squeezed orange juice.
“Looks amazing,” Jake said once we were all settled around the table. He raised his glass. “Cheers.”
Everyone clinked glasses before tucking into brunch.
After a few bites, Dara’s fork clunked onto the side of her plate. “This is so great.” She sniffled and dabbed the corners of her eyes. “It feels like old times.”
“No tears.” Dean slid an arm around his wife’s shoulders and kissed her.
“I-I can’t help it.”
“You’re so emotional.” I giggled. “What’s up with you? You’re all hormon—” My eyes widened as I clapped a hand over my mouth, feeling like an idiot. All the signs were there, but I’d been too busy stewing in my own drama and misery. “No! Are you?”
Dara nodded. “Sixteen weeks this coming Monday.”
“Congratulations!” Springing from my chair, I hugged her and then Dean, but avoided looking at Jake.
“Sixteen? How am I the last to know?” Jake grinned. “That’s amazing.”
“You two are the first friends to share the good news.” Dean held his wife’s hand. “We wanted to keep it to ourselves for a while, but it’s time.”
“Is everything good?” Jake asked. “You’re not expecting twins, are you? The baby’s healthy?”
“The baby—singular—has a strong heartbeat, and I feel great, aside from a bit of fatigue and morning sickness.” Dara exhaled a long breath. “We love both of you so much. I know this might be weird, but …”
I slid to the edge of my seat, holding my breath.
“You two aren’t together. We get that. Even though Amara’s been far away, and it hasn’t been the easiest time for Jake, we still need … want”—Dara glanced at Dean—“to ask a huge favour.”
“I’ll never forget what you did for me during university, or how Amara jumped in with Luci during those tumultuous teenage years.” Dean cleared his throat. “Jake, watching you with your daughter now … you’re an incredible dad.”
Dara looked at me, then at Jake. “Will you be our baby’s legal guardians?”
“Who?” I pressed a hand to my chest, my face flushing. “Wait, you mean Jake, right?”
“Well, both of you.” Dean set down his fork. “We want two strong role models for our child.”
Silence dropped over us as I sneaked a look at Jake. “Is that the best idea? I mean …” My gaze travelled to Jake, then to the hopeful faces of our friends.
My ex-boyfriend squinted at me—surely taking in my stunned expression—then sat back in his chair, arms folded across his chest. “Anything for you two. Even if Amara isn’t on board, I’m a yes.”
Anger flickered, but I bit back the scathing words about to erupt. “It wasn’t a no, Jakob,” I said in the levelest tone I could muster, “but it’s not a commitment I take lightly. Nor should you.”
“Is that what you think?” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m sorry.” A large tear tracked down Dara’s cheek. “It’s just in case, you know? Please don’t fight.”
Nausea tickled my belly. Making my friend cry was not on today’s agenda. “No, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, Dar,” Jake said. “This is unexpected, so maybe we need a moment to absorb your news.” He rose and pulled out my chair. “Amara?”
My knees wobbled, but I managed to follow.
The second we were outside, he closed the door, keeping his back to the glass. “Way to go, making her cry. Couldn’t you have bottled your negativity for once?”
“Oh, shut it. ‘Will you raise my kid if I die’ differs from ‘can you water my fern while I’m on vacation.’ Anyway, what happened to you not wanting another kid?”
“It’s hardly the same thing. If it’s too much, then say no. I’d manage on my own.”
“It’s not too much, but I live in Vancouver. What if something did happen? How would that even work?”
“Wow, that nugget again?” He hunkered over the railing, and muttered, “This is their backup plan. Have faith that if it ever became a reality, we’d act like a couple of grownups and figure it out.”
I stared at his back, then moved beside him, resting my forearms on the cold aluminum. “You’re right. Probably never happen.”
“We can hope not, but Dean’s my best friend and I love Dara, so I have to do this.”
“Yeah, they’re amazing. You’re right. They would be there for me if I asked anything.” I peered at Jake. “It’s a yes?”
“Definitely, a yes.” He caught my fingers. “It’s good to see you. How are you, really?”
“I started my new job.”
“I heard you’re dating again.”
“I was, but that’s over.”
“Music to my ears,” he muttered.
I stared over the tiny yard. “How are things with Lianne?”
Jake shrugged. “We’ve only gone out twice.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand. “It’s nothing, really. When I heard about you and that guy, I figured … you know?”
Yeah, that I understood. Rawness and pain tumbled through me just thinking about Jake with another woman. “You made
