Page 46 of Griffin
“You’re a cactus,” someone mutters from the back.
“Sharp, but thriving,” Rochelle fires back.
“Thank you. Thank you so much. This is all so beautiful…” I finally say, looking at all the women who have turned up. Some I’ve met a few times, and others I’ve only started to get to know.
“Well, now you’re here, so let the games begin!” Lacy says, moving around, and I see everyone start to shuffle. “Who wants to start with Baby Bingo?”
Some of the older ladies all grab a card, shuffling to their seats as they chatter.
“Okay, ground rules,” Lacy announces. “No cheating, no bribing, and no threatening the bingo caller.”
“Why did you look at me when you said that?” Daisy asks with a wide grin on her face.
“Because last time you tried to trade me a rose quartz for a win.” Lacy laughs.
“It was a good rose quartz,” Daisy argues.
Victoria leans in with a gentle smile. “Look around, Savannah. Every single woman here showed up because they adore you already.”
I swallow hard, a tear escaping. “I’m still getting used to that.”
“Well,” she says, looping her arm through mine, “get used to it. We’re not going anywhere.” She leads me farther inside, where I sit with the ladies all afternoon. Wondering how I became so lucky.
“You haven’t stopped smiling since we left.”
Griffin and I walk hand in hand down the street, him having come to the yoga studio with the other guys to help pack up and take the girls home.
“It was amazing.” My face hurts from smiling so much. “We played games, ate too much, laughed…”
“Well, Victoria knows how to throw a party.” He nods, and I tilt my head up at him.
“You knew?” While the party was a complete surprise to me, the way Griffin’s brows don’t furrow as deep as they normally do gives away his knowledge.
“Maybe.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” I laugh, surprised.
“When Victoria first mentioned it, I thought it was a great idea. Seeing you smile now, I know I was right.”
I lean into him as he gathers me closer to his side, our slow stroll down Main Street here in Whispers feeling nice in the warm afternoon sun.
“Tell me how I can eat all afternoon but still have a craving for pickles…” I murmur.
“Pickles?”
“Yeah, those really sweet green pickles.” My mouth waters.
“You want me to go get you some?”
“Oh no. Believe me when I tell you, there’s absolutely no space in my stomach for another thing after all the food I ate today. But this baby has me craving them all the same.” I smile, rubbing my belly subconsciously.
“I’ve heard pregnancy can make you crave a lot of things.”
“A good night’s sleep, mostly…” I laugh. “Let’s sit in the gardens here and watch the sunset,” I suggest as we wander down toward the seats behind Sawyer’s law office, the area green and tranquil at this time of day.
“You feeling alright?” He watches me slowly take a seat, my walk turning into a waddle now the baby is almost here. As he sits, he stifles a yawn.
“I’m fine. But you didn’t get much sleep last night.”
