Page 71 of Smoke and Glitter

"Bad ears."

"She's brutal."

"You'll survive."

When Lucia is satisfied, I fold the placemat and put it in my bag. Outside, she runs a few steps ahead while Marisol and I stand beside the car.

"How are you doing?" she asks.

Fine gets as far as the back of my throat.

"Pretty shitty."

Marisol nods. "Sounds about right. I'm here for you, you know."

"I'll be okay."

I glance at her.

"Different question."

That almost makes me smile.

She watches Lucia for a second. "You do light up when you talk about London."

"I'm terrified if I'm being honest. I'm excited, but this is next level."

"Sounds worth finding out."

I look over at Lucia, who is crouched near the curb studying something with the concentration of a crime-scene investigator.

"Yeah."

Marisol bumps her shoulder against mine, and that's all she gives me.

Lucia comes running back and grabs my hand. She cries again when I hug her goodbye, and this time I don't search for anything to make it stop.

Summer is in the kitchen making coffee when I come in. She hugs me before I get my coat all the way off, which is getting harder now that there is a baby between us.

I pull back and look down at her stomach.

"Jesus, babe."

Summer immediately covers it with both hands. "Watch yourself."

"You're beautiful, Summer, absolutely glowing."

"I am pregnant. That's generally the trajectory. I'm like a fucking glowing beacon."

"I saw you like a week ago."

"And yet the baby has continued growing without your supervision."

"Rude."

She laughs and reaches for my coat. I catch her wrist before she can take it.

"You're pregnant. Stop trying to wait on me."