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She swallowed and sniffed. “But even as I say that I’m hearing a voice in my head saying my life was a lie. Because while I was happy, Peter was lying to me and being a criminal and I had no idea. I never thought he could do that to me.”
Erica wrapped her arms around her. Allison sagged against her—at least as much as she could with her massive belly.
“It’s not your fault.”
“I married him.”
“So did I.”
Allison stepped back and looked at her, wide-eyed. “It’s true. You really did. You married a criminal.”
“He wasn’t a criminal when I knew him. That’s on you.”
She figured there was a fifty-fifty chance that Allison would start crying again or slap her. Instead her mouth twitched and she smiled.
“You’re saying I’m a bad influence?”
“I’m not the one he’s crazy in love with.” She softened her tone. “I’m sorry about everything that’s happened. I know this isn’t how you saw things going. For what it’s worth, we all like having you and Jackson living here.”
Allison waved a hand. “Don’t be nice. I barely have these tears under control.”
“About that.” Erica pointed to the hall bathroom. “I need you to wash your face, then think happy thoughts.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.” Allison looked around. “Where’s Jackson? Summer said she wanted to pick him up from day care.”
“She did and he’s fine. He’s downstairs.” Erica hesitated. “You’re having a surprise baby shower. There are about twenty people in a sea of pink down there. You’re going to have to face them while faking happy and shocked.”
The tears returned. “You’re throwing me a baby shower?”
“It was a group thing. My mom and Killion’s assistant did all the work.”
Allison rushed over and hugged her again. “I can’t believe you did that. You’re the nicest person ever. Peter was a fool to let you go.”
“It’s weird you’re saying that while you’re knocked up with his kid.”
“I know.”
Allison walked past the family room as casually as she could, just to make sure she hadn’t been wrong the first time. Nope, they were still at it. Summer and her friends were sitting on the floor, playing The Game of Life. And not some digital, online version. They’d pulled out the actual board game and were rolling dice and moving pieces. On a Saturday night!
The only thing she could figure was Summer was still lying low because of the social media attacks, and her friends were hanging out to show solidarity. Which was very sweet and supportive, only it seemed like they were too quiet. Four teenage girls should not be anything close to silent—not when hanging out. Where was the music and the shrieking?
She thought about going into the family room and suggesting Summer turn on the complicated stereo system. She couldn’t figure it out but she was sure the teenagers would have no problem. Only this wasn’t her house and Summer wasn’t her daughter. But Erica seemed content to leave the girls alone. She’d greeted them, then had disappeared upstairs. Was she giving them space or did she not know her place with them?
Under any other circumstances Allison wouldn’t have dared consider that Erica might be unsure. The other woman was one of the most confident, capable people she knew. But when it came to her daughter, Erica was always careful and sometimes seemed hesitant. Some of that was probably from the natural minefield that was a mother-daughter relationship when the kid was a teenager, but some of it probably came from how Peter had undermined her with their child. Yet one more issue she had with her husband, but not the point tonight.
She walked to the stairs, only to pause. Getting involved seemed...fraught. Except Erica was her friend and she cared about her.
“I’m doing this,” she whispered and went upstairs.
She found Erica in her home office, laptop open.
“Have a second?”
Erica smiled. “Of course. Is Jackson asleep?”
“He was out in three seconds. I wish I could sleep like that.”
Erica eyed her belly. “I want to say you will after Bethany is born, but we both know that’s not true.”
