Unconditional

My heart swells. I can’t believe that I ever doubted Garrett wanted to be a father again: now, it’s all he can talk about. “He’s building a crib,” I confide. “The whole thing from scratch. I told him we can afford one now that my PR consultancy is taking off, and the bar’s doing so great, but he insisted.”

“Doofus.” Brit smiles affectionately.

“Who are you calling doofus?” Emerson appears, wrapping his arms around Brit from behind. Juliet joins him, giving me a hug.

“Not you, for a change.” Brit ducks out of his embrace and reaches up to ruffle his hair, still as playful as if they were kids. “We were just saying, it’s a shame you couldn’t get anyone to come to this thing.”

Emerson laughs, looking around at the packed room. “Yeah, well we’ll see if any of them come back again.”

“They will,” I answer confidently. “You’re booked up for weeks already.”

Juliet slides an arm around my waist and smiles. “We can’t thank you enough for helping out with the publicity. This is amazing, more than our wildest dreams.”

I smile back, feeling a fresh wave of gratitude. I’ll never take my relationship with my sister for granted, not after everything it’s taken to get here. “Always.”

“I better get to making the rounds,” Emerson grimaces.

Juliet laughs, “Not with that face! I better come too, stop you brooding at everyone.”

“Wait,” I stop them. “People keep asking about the name. Jaybird. What’s the story there?”

Emerson and Juliet exchange a private look. “No story,” Emerson says smoothly.

“Why don’t I believe you?” I laugh. “Never mind. Go find the critic from the Tribune and make sure she tries your bacon-wrapped figs.”

“I’ve got this.” Juliet winks, before tucking her hand through his arm and steering him away.

I check that all the food bloggers and critics are happily filling up on cocktails and appetizers, then go rejoin Garrett, Brit and Hunter at our table.

“Ouch,” I sink into a seat and ease off my heels. “I feel like I just ran a marathon.”

“Everything good?” Brit checks.

Garrett pats his lap, so I put my feet up for a foot-rub as the party whirls on around us.

“So far.” I catch sight of a familiar face in the crowd, just entering the restaurant. “Alicia!” I call, waving her over. “I’d get up, but I’ve decided, I’m never getting up again.”

Alicia laughs, leaning down to kiss my cheek hello. Her red hair is pinned up in an elegant twist, and she’s wearing a classic little black dress: the picture of sophistication. We’ve become friends the past few months, meeting up for lunch whenever I’m in the city.

“You need one of those litters to carry you around, like a Roman emperor,” she tells me, turning to greet Hunter and Brit. She’s been helping Brit get her designs into stores, and they catch up on the latest business news while I nudge Garrett sweetly.

“You hear that, honey? I should have a carriage.”

“Aww, don’t go giving her ideas.” He rises to his feet, offering the chair to Alicia. “You take my seat, I’m going to get us some drinks. Some non-alcoholic drinks,” he warns me sternly.

I sigh. “Another thing I can’t do until the baby pops,” I confide in Alicia, reaching for another delicious appetizer. “I swear, the month after this kid comes, I’m going to go crazy: cocktails, sushi, stinky cheese... We need to make a party of it.”

She laughs. “It’s a date.”

“Speaking of which...” I give her a sideways look. “What happened with that guy we met at the coffee place. Didn’t he ask for your number?”

Alicia looks evasive. “He called and asked me out, but I turned him down.”

“What? Why?” Brit interrupts. “Was he cute?”

I nod. “Very.”

“So what was the problem?” She asks Alicia.

“I don’t know...” Alicia demurs, twisting her necklace. “I just wasn’t feeling it.”

“You’ve got to give them a chance,” I tell her. “I thought Garrett was an arrogant manwhore when I first him, and look how that turned out.”

“But you love him,” Alicia gives me a wistful smile. “That’s different. Once you find your soulmate... There’s no going back.”

“I guess...” I study her carefully. Even though we’re friends now, Alicia’s still a mystery to me. She keeps her personal life tightly under wraps, and although she’s single, she never really talks about dating or guys. I wonder if there’s someone in her past holding her back.

She fixes a bright smile on her face. “Enough about me. What’s new with you guys?”

Brit and Hunter share a look. “Well...” Brit begins. “We set a date for a the wedding.”

“You did?” I squeal. “When?”

“October,” Hunter replies, squeezing Brit’s hand.

“That soon?” Alicia blinks.

Brit rolls her eyes. “I would elope tomorrow, but this guy wants a big fancy wedding.”

Hunter chokes on his beer. “Not me!”

“Fine, your mom,” Brit corrects herself. “She’s freaking out already. Apparently it’s impossible to throw a wedding with less than a year’s notice.”