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“Wonderful! Come in, come in!” Angie exclaims, beaming at her daughters-in-law.
“Aunt Jewel insisted I bring over her famous potato salad,” Bailey says, grinning as she gently sets the stack of takeout boxes on the countertop. “And considering I’ve been craving it for nearly half of my pregnancy thus far, I happily obliged.”
Emma smiles and sets her bag of chips down. “It’s important you keep that little princess in your belly well-fed,” she says, lightly rubbing Bailey’s cute little baby bump. Over the past week or so, it’s really started to pop, and she’s the cutest pregnant woman I think I’ve ever seen—glowing and radiant.
“Well, I’m not even pregnant but my mouth is already watering at the sight of it.” I giggle, giving them both a hug and feeling grateful to get the opportunity to spend more time with them.
“Well the roast is about ready, too,” Angie chimes in. “Have you ladies heard from Layla?”
“I just talked to her a few minutes ago, actually,” Emma replies, sitting down on the kitchen barstool. “She’s just about finished setting up for today’s wedding reception at the barn. She said she hopes to be here in about thirty minutes, once she’s done.”
“Perfect,” Angie replies. “That girl sure knows how to throw a party.”
“She’s the best in the business. She said the barn is booked up for weddings through the next two years,” Emma says, popping a chip into her mouth.
“Should we go crash one?” Bailey wiggles her eyebrows. “I could really go for some wedding cake right about now. Sawyer froze our leftover cake—said we’re supposed to eat it on our one year anniversary, or whatever. But I want cake now.”
I can’t help but laugh as my phone begins to buzz in my pocket. I pull it out, seeing my editor’s name lighting up the screen.
Probably about the next three chapters I sent over this morning.
“I have to take this.” I give the girls a smile and slip out of the large dining room.
I step out onto the back porch, my eyes catching sight of Wade and Cooper, playing more catch in the yard behind the house.
Blowing out a nervous sigh, I take one last look in the mirror. I’m grateful the spilled gravy gave me a valid excuse to get away and recompose myself, albeit only to change my blouse. Because while I’ve grown to love this family, the more time we spend together, the deeper their questions get, and the harder it is to keep the story straight.
Lying is exhausting.
I’m trying not to panic as I head back down the three floors of stairs. Laughter and giddy voices fill the house as my feet hit the bottom floor, and I see Wade’s entire family standing around the kitchen island.
“Callie!” Angie calls out. “We were just talking about you. Hunter wants you and Wade to sing one of the songs you’ve written together.”
I swallow hard, my eyes looking past her to Wade, standing not far behind her, guitar in hand. “I-I-I don’t really sing in front of people.”
“She’s amazing, and she can do it,” Wade says with a huge grin. “C’mon, baby, let’s show ‘em what you got.”
Baby.
“I don’t know...” my voice trails off as everyone turns to look at me. “I really don’t know.”
“Would you pleeeeaaaase sing for us?” Cooper calls out from a few feet away, with his hands clasped in front of his chest, making it very hard to resist.
“Wade’s been going on and on about how great you are. We all want to hear for ourselves.” Emma gives me a reassuring smile.
“It’s not that often that Wade wants to sing with someone,” Sawyer chimes in.
“It’s true.” Wade grins as he makes his way toward me. “I’m hoping that I can convince you to be the featured singer on my next album for all the duets that we write together. You’re a phenomenal writer and an incredible singer. So what do you say, honey?”
My mouth feels like cotton as I look around. “I guess I can try,” I mumble, my nerves even greater than before as I follow Wade to the stools he set up in the living room. “You were banking on me agreeing to this,” I say, eying Wade as I take a seat beside him.
“I absolutely was.” He laughs, taking my hand in his and giving it a comforting squeeze. “I think that this is exactly what you need to do to grow your confidence. We’re just going to sing this song for the family—and you’ll see how great they think your voice is, too.”
I take a deep breath and nod, feeling my heart flutter as Wade lifts my hand to his lips and gently kisses it. His lips linger on my skin, warming me through and through.
I close my eyes and try to center myself.
I can do this.
