“Sure.” They stepped out back and took a seat on the patio chairs. Brenna waited while Allison took another few sips of water.
“I’m pregnant, Brenna.”
No wonder she was drinking iced tea. Allison did love her wine. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I think it’s wonderful, too. But Mitchell isn’t happy about it.”
Brenna frowned. “What? How can he not be?”
“Because I screwed up his perfectly crafted timeline. He wanted to wait two more years and I guess I forgot one or two of my birth control pills a couple of months ago and now, here I am, having messed with his grand plan. He’s really upset with me.”
What. A. Jackass. “Well. Shit happens, you know. But how exciting. A baby.”
Allison tried for a smile but only made it halfway. “I was excited. I am excited. When I told him, I expected him to be happy about it. He gave me this stern look and accused me of getting pregnant on purpose just to screw him over.”
That was so how Mitchell would think, making it all about him. “He’s an asshole.”
Allison laughed. “At least we have a common frame of reference. I’m just so disappointed in him, Brenna. I don’t know what to do. We’re having a baby. He kind of has to get on board with this. And I want him to be happy about it. Like genuinely happy.”
She reached over and grasped Allison’s hand. “He will. Just give him some time. Mitchell has his faults, but I’m sure once he realizes this is happening—timeline or not—he’ll be over-the-moon excited about it.”
“I hope so.”
“And try not to worry. Surround yourself with the people who are happy for you. That’ll help lift your mood.”
“Thank you. I needed to hear that. And please keep this to yourself, if you would.”
Brenna nodded. “Of course.”
“And Brenna?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. I’ve been an awful person to you for so long, over ancient history. You could have told me I deserved what I got. You didn’t. I appreciate that more than I can say.”
She squeezed Allison’s hand. “Hey, whatever animosity was between us is over. Now we move forward, okay?”
Allison nodded. “Okay.”
Esther and a few of the other women wandered outside, and then some of the guys followed, so the conversation ended. Brenna went in to refill her glass. She poured wine, then noticed Mitchell in the living room on the phone.
Of course he was on the phone. Brenna was surprised his phone wasn’t permanently fused to his ear by now.
She rolled her eyes, then thought for a few seconds. She should stay out of it. Then again, when had she ever stayed out of things she should have? As soon as he hung up she walked over to him.
“What do you want, Brenna?”
“I hear you’re having a baby. Congratulations.”
He frowned. “Who told you that?”
“Allison did. She’s really happy about it. Maybe you could be, too.”
“She told you I wasn’t happy?”
“She did.”
“She told you I wasn’t happy.”
“Yes.”
“Damn.” He sat on the sofa and stared down at the floor. “It was a shock. I wasn’t expecting it.”
Brenna took a seat in the chair. “Neither was she. But she’s so thrilled and she obviously loves you, so maybe you can show some excitement about it. You love her, don’t you?”
He lifted his gaze to hers. “I really do.”
She saw the truth of that on his face and realized she was happy to see it. Allison wasn’t his trophy wife or his rebound. He loved her, and she was relieved, for Allison’s sake.
“Then it’s time for you to get ready to be a daddy, Mitchell. And show your wife some actual emotion about it. I know it’s not what you expected, but wow, you’re going to be a dad. How thrilling is that?”
He sucked in a deep breath. “Yeah. I can’t believe she talked to you about it.”
“I’m a good listener.”
His lips curved. “That means the two of you made up, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Then I won’t have to hear her complain about you anymore?”
“Mitchell . . .”
He held up his hands. “Fine. I’ll be the excited father-to-be. And I’ll buy my wife some flowers tomorrow.”
“You do that. Maybe consider a baby gift to go along with the flowers.”
He frowned. “Baby gift? Like what?”
She pulled out her phone and quickly looked up generic but adorable onesies at a local baby store. “Like this. At this store.”
He grabbed the link and put it on his phone. “Okay. Good idea. Thanks, Brenna.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And Brenna?”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry.”
She frowned. “For what?”
“For . . . everything, I guess. I did it all wrong with you. I’m trying to do it better with Allison, even though it doesn’t appear that way.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. I want only the best for you and for Allison. And I’m really happy about the baby.”
He managed a smile. “Thanks.”
She stood and walked away, shaking her head. Mitchell would always be who he was, but maybe fatherhood would mellow him.
One could only hope.
She went back outside where the entire group had gathered. The night was cool and it was absolutely perfect on the patio.
Finn appeared by her side and slipped his hand around her waist.
“Where’ve you been?”
“Mending old wounds and doing a little damage control.”
At his curious look, she added, “We’ll talk later.”
He kissed her temple. “Okay.”
They all snacked on amazing food and chatted and Brenna finally relaxed and had a great time. She felt an immense sense of relief because she and Allison had finally cleared the air. She could only hope that Mitchell would come around and start acting like a human being capable of feelings.
The party wound down around ten since it was a work night. They said their good-byes and headed out to Brenna’s car. Finn only had one beer earlier while Brenna had a few glasses of wine, so he drove them back home.