Page 415 of The Romance Adventure

She makes a panicked sound that I don’t even know how to describe, no less replicate. “Where are you? What’s going on?”

“Can I come meet you?”

“Sheesh. That’s cryptic, but yes, please come to Beans & Books. We’ve been getting together every day. Um, we didn’t think you’d want to join us. It would be so much better if we were all together. We’re all anxiously awaiting word from the guys. Am I rambling? I do that when under stress.”

None of this helps soothe the rough waves in my stomach, but I tell myself that Isla is right. It will be better if we’re all together. And she wasn’t wrong about thinking I wouldn’t want to hang out. Until now, I hadn’t.

I’m already in CJ’s Jeep, motoring to town. I love the vehicle because he does, but we need a car with a roof, something sensible. Maybe one with those complicated buckles for baby safety seats.

Parking by the dock, I take a steadying breath, because my life changed a lot when CJ entered. The page is going to turn when I allow myself to have friendships, along with making inquiries about maternal-type things that I didn’t have a chance to ask my mother about.

Isla greets me with the kind of hug only pure human sunshine can give.

After I sit down on the giant loveseat under the window, Lally pours me tea. “It’s a soothing herbal blend. We’ve all been guzzling it.”

Guess I’m not the only one who has been nervous.

Rosalie pets Nutmeg who looks at me and then turns up her nose before settling on the other woman’s lap.

“I’m not everyone’s favorite.”

Isla rolls her eyes in the cat’s direction. “Nutmeg just barely tolerates me, so don’t take it personally.”

Robyn sets down a plate overflowing with pastries. “This is how we do things in Coco Key. We get together with food and drinks of some sort and we gab.” She eyes Rosalie. “And hope it doesn’t end up on the Coconut Wireless.”

“I told you, I’ve hung up the phone,” Rosalie says. “I have my flower business and...other things.”

“Other things?” Harley asks with a raised eyebrow as if she’s practically frothing at the mouth to get her friend to confess.

Before they can interrogate her, Luke toddles over and pats my stomach, then gives the goofiest little baby smile as if to say he knows that I have a secret. The kid just outed me!

The five women, in various stages of bringing warm beverages or baked goods to their mouths, stop with their lips parted. Eyes widen.

Luke, like a tiny king who just declared victory over a battle, shouts, “Ba ba ba!”

Harley clears her throat. “He said that to me once.”

“I don’t know what he said.” I so know what he said.

“I’m not familiar with baby-ese either. Can you translate?” Lally asks.

Isla and Harley exchange a knowing look.

“If Da means daddy and Ma means mama, then...” Robyn parses it out.

“Then Ba means baby,” Rosalie says with a smirk.

“Are you pregnant?” Isla asks her.

I jolt because, for a second, I thought she was asking me.

“No, of course not. Don’t be silly. I’d have to be married. I have a big, multi-lingual family. Lots of little cousins, nieces, and nephews. I’m certain Ba means baby,” Rosalie says simply.

But she did scratch her nose when she said the word married. No ring on her finger, but that doesn’t mean she’s single.

“I can confirm, Ba means baby,” Harley says.

Attention returns to me, full force.