Page 82 of Let Me Love You
“Aw, but that’ssolong. Your mama wants more grandbabies, dammit,” she scolds Theo.
“Give ‘em a break,” Papa Taylor chimes in. “If you wanna be bossing anyone around for more grandbabies, it’s Macklin. Your oldest isn’t getting any younger.”
My jaw drops as I register Papa Taylor’s words, and he quirks his brow. The bastard just threw me under the bus. And clearly, he finds it way more amusing than I do.
“Dad,” Mack warns, witnessing the silent exchange between his father with the talent of an expert sleuth and me.
Papa Taylor chuckles and relaxes in his seat. “Kate, can you pass the bacon?”
My gaze narrows, but I don’t move a muscle.
He thinks he’s funny, does he?
I’d always assumed Mack and Theo got their saucy personalities from someone in the family, and once I met Papa Taylor for the first time, it was clear I’d found the culprit. We’ve slowly gotten to know each other over the past few months since Mack and I started dating. This isn’t the first time I’ve been on the teasing end.
“Dad, today’s about Teddy and Blake,” Mack interjects.
“And if it wasn’t?” Mama Taylor prods. “If they hadn’t made an announcement?”
Kill me now.
Kill me now.
Kill me now.
Caught between his mother’s curious stare and his father’s knowing one, Mack looks at me and shrugs his shoulders. “Kate?”
“We’re, uh…” I lick my lips and set the muffin back onto my plate, brushing my fingertips together as little crumbs scatter along the ceramic surface. “We’re pregnant.”
Silence falls across the table for a beat, then…
“Are you serious?”
“I’m so happy for you!”
“Congratulations!”
The hum of celebratory chaos beats around us as my gaze lands on Hazel. Once upon a time, we were friends. Then she hated me. And now? Now, I don’t know where we stand. If all the progress we’ve made over the last few months just went down the drain or if she’s excited for me. For her father. For everyone. Instead of giving me a hint as to what she’s thinking, her expression is stoic. Indecipherable.
Miley nudges her older sister’s shoulder. “Haze.”
And just like that, a shit-eating grin nearly splits Hazel’s face in two as she tears her attention from me and looks at her dad. “Seriously, old man? You’re gonna have another baby?”
“You’re fine with the idea of being a big sister again?” he probes.
Her eyes roll, and she shakes her head. “Only if I don’t have to change any diapers.”
Miley squeals and shoves herself to her feet, rounding the table to pull me into a hug. Her excitement is palpable. “I’m so happy for you, Kate! Seriously, this is gonna be so much fun!”
My eyes meet Mack’s as his youngest squeezes the crap out of me. Another pair of arms swallow me whole, then another.
In the middle of a Kate sandwich, I close my eyes, overwhelmed with gratitude. Because this could’ve gone so many ways. I could’ve offended Blake and Theo. I could’ve pissed off Hazel or Miley. I could’ve freaked out Mama or Papa Taylor. But instead, they’re happy for me. Everyone’s happy for me. And I couldn’t be more grateful.
“I’m gonna be an aunt!” Blake squeals, replacing Miley and Hazel’s hug with one of her own.
I squeeze her back and breathe in the scent of cinnamon clinging to her red, curly hair.
“Sorry for not telling you and for…stealing your moment,” I tell her.