“Amy Morgana Chocolatier is really taking off. She just catered an event we had for the firm, and she’s still the talk of the town. A lot of our corporate clients already said they’re going to use her for their holiday gifts this year.”
“Really?” I turn to him in shock.
“Yes, I told you they loved you.” His grin is filled with joy.
“Are you going to be able to handle that much business?” Mom asks as she takes a seat right next to me.
I sit up, assuring them that I can. “My loan was approved, so I have everything lined up, and I’m planning on bringing Shawn on full-time. Good things are happening.”
Mom places her hand over mine. “That’s fantastic news.”
“Does that mean you’ll finally get a real place to live?” Heather asks.
I pause for a second and then look at Sebastian. It’s funny how I was searching for apartments, but when Sebastian and I reconnected, I haven’t gone to see one. It just hasn’t been a priority, I guess. Sebastian runs his hand up my thigh, and I smile in return.
“Once I have everything in line with the business, I’ll find a place. Sebastian has been kind enough to let Lady Featherington stay at his house most days, so that’s been a huge help. I just want to get the website up and have the revenue stream coming in to pay off the loan first. One thing at a time,” I respond.
“How much of your business is online?” Henry asks. “I have a friend who does everything via Shopify. Is that what you use?”
“I actually have my own shopping cart system that works pretty well.”
He seems annoyed. “Amy, why re-create the wheel? Shopify is where it’s at. Their stock is through the roof right now. Stop making things harder on yourself than they have to be just because you want to be different or stubborn.”
“I’m not using it to be stubborn. I just happen to like the system I use now. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” I explain.
Henry points the spoon he’s using to dish up the potato salad at me as he says, “Because that system is way better than anything else out there.”
I let out a sigh, knowing there’s no point in trying to argue with him as I grab my water glass that my mother filled with the pitcher she has on the table.
“Enough about work,” Heather says, rubbing her lower back, and I appreciate the pivot in conversation. “Sebastian, tell us about how it is that a guy like you who’s, what … early thirties … isn’t snatched up yet? It’s so refreshing to have Amy bring home someone who is gainfully employed, has a nice car, and has his own home. So much better than the last idiot she was gonna bring home. That guy was having a baby with another lady.”
I choke on my drink and start a coughing fit.
“Amy, are you okay? That was oddly timed.” Fiona sits up like she’s about to get the dirt on some juicy gossip, which I wish weren’t the case.
Sebastian pats my back as I look up to Heather.
“That would be me,” Sebastian says with a smile, not afraid to admit it. “I’m the guy with the baby on the way.”
“Oh my God, I didn’t …” Heather waves her hand, but Sebastian laughs lightly and gives her his most charming of grins.
“It’s okay. You only want the best for your sister, and you’re right. I was an idiot. A man should be smarter with these things, but it’s happening. I have a child on the way. A boy actually,” he says with that crinkle in his eye that he gets every time he thinks of his son.
Everyone’s face drops as Sebastian grins my way, acting unfazed by the bomb he just dropped and not ashamed one bit.
Fiona leans forward. “So, this is the guy you were talking about at Easter? How long have you been together?”
“Two weeks,” I answer.
“A few months,” Sebastian says at the same time.
I look at him in confusion, wondering what the heck he’s talking about.
“What? Did you sleep with some chick and then go straight to my sister the next day?” Matthew fumes like the older protective brother he is.
“Absolutely not,” Sebastian states firmly. “The mother is an ex who I dated for quite some time. We were long broken up when she told me. I met Amy only a few days before I found out.”
“She kept it from you for that long?” Heather asks, rubbing her belly and then looking over at her husband seated next to her.
Sebastian shrugs. “She wanted to make the initial decision on her own. Though it’s not ideal circumstances, I’m thrilled to become a father. I am one hundred percent devoted.”
“As you should be,” my father states, more pleased to hear Sebastian’s stance on the matter than upset that it’s happening to begin with.
“So, what? You’ll see the kid on the weekends? How will that work?” Fiona asks, cutting up food for her boys.
“We’re still figuring out the details,” Sebastian says. “But we had a fantastic dinner recently, talking about our plans for co-parenting. I think we’re on the right path to finding a manageable lifestyle.”
“How far along is she?” Heather asks.
“Twenty-four weeks.”
“Who wants to bet these two won’t be together come Thanksgiving?” Matthew asks everyone around the table, pointing at us like we can’t hear him.
“Matthew James Morgana, you might be a grown man, but I will whoop you with my wooden spoon,” Mom chastises, to which Matthew leans over and kisses her on the cheek.
“I’ll take that bet. Bottle of Macallan 18 says I’ll be here for turkey and stuffing,” Sebastian says, raising his eyebrows to me like his words are his promise to me rather than the bet.
“That’s a three-hundred-fifty-dollar bottle,” Henry states matter-of-factly.
“Would you rather it be a twenty-five-year?” Sebastian’s mouth tilts up in a slight grin as he tilts his head to the side in the cocky way I’ve seen him do when talking on the phone while he’s dealing with other attorneys and he knows he’s got them right where he wants them.
“Make it a twelve, and you got a bet.” Matthew holds out his hand to Sebastian.
“Ah, not so sure of yourself now, are you?” Sebastian taunts.
“Oh, I’m still sure. Just making sure the bet is in my price range since I have to save for my kids’ college funds.”
“I can respect that.” They grip hands as I shake my head at the male testosterone that’s flooding the table. “Maybe I’ll pick your brain later about some college investment plans.”
Fiona grumbles, “You just bought yourself a solid two-hour diatribe about portfolios.”
“I don’t mind. And after, you can give me some parenting advice. I’m a newbie to all things babies.” Sebastian lifts his glass.
If there’s one thing the Morgana family loves to do, it’s give advice. I can already envision the smartphones coming out as soon as lunch is over with photos of their kids as newborns and conversations of the best cribs, Consumer Reports’ advice on swings, which pediatrician to use, and even how to treat a rash. It’s good he has them now to ask for help. I only know so much on the topic.