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“Good.” He slaps my butt and the vibration makes him fall out.

I laugh and get up. “We have to go.”

Garrett’s eyes travel over my body one last time, settling on my belly and the bruises. “When can we test?” he asks, this time his voice is full of anxiety.

“In one week.”

I put my hand over my abdomen and force myself not to hope. Not yet.

Garrett and I have been trying for a fourth baby ever since Chloe turned three. But it’s not happening for us this time. It’s been seven years of nothing.

“What are you going to say to get out of drinking tonight?”

“Nothing.”

The last thing I want is anyone asking if I’m not drinking because I’m pregnant. There’s nothing that brings down my mood faster than having to say no. And if I say we’re trying, then in a week they’ll ask me if I’m pregnant again. And there’s nothing worse than having to explain that no… once again, not pregnant.

So, we’re keeping it a secret. Not even the girls know.

“We’ll order the same thing,” I say. “I’ll pretend to drink, put my glass next to yours, and let you finish it for me.”

"A very sound plan." Garrett laughs. “I hope you’re prepared to carry me home.”

Chapter Five

Amelia

I spend the rest of my day going around town to get more sign-ups for the community clean-up day on Saturday. I make decent progress, but we’re still thirty people short of one hundred.

In the late afternoon, as I’m getting ready for Bryce’s birthday, I get a text from my friend Avery.

I heard from hubby that you’re coming tonight!! So excited to see you. It’s been too long!

There’s also a lot of emoji’s in there. A lot of smiley faces and a few glasses clinking, even a confetti popper.

While Scarlett and I see each other often, and she's supported me throughout the separation as much as she’s been able to with her busy schedule, Avery and I have always let Garrett and Ethan dictate when we would see each other, and other than running into her at the cafe, I haven't seen her at all since the separation, and I’m looking forward to hanging out with her again.

I respond with a similar message and get back to doing my hair.

I arrive thirty minutes late, not wanting to be the first person there. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to show up to a party by myself, and despite the butterflies of excitement fluttering in my belly, I’m also a little nervous.

The music is loud when I enter the Den, but only half of the tables are filled, which is to be expected on a Wednesday night.

I spot the gang at the bar. Bryce rushes toward me. I hand him his gift as he pulls me into a strong hug for the second time today.

“I’m so glad you came.”

Bryce is almost the same height as me, so it makes hugging him super comfortable. He’s also three times thicker and could probably throw me across the room without breaking a sweat.

“It’s your birthday! Thanks for inviting me.”

He grabs my shoulders with two strong arms and pulls me away from his chest to look sternly at my face.

“Let’s get something straight,” he says. “You are always invited to our group hangouts. You’re divorcing Ethan, not us.”

I can’t not smile.

“Thanks. But…”