Oh, boy.
Her voice was so high, I was scared she was going to shatter glass. “You are going to complain to me about how your body aches and a little sunburn? You are actually going to sit there and say that I don’t have any idea how hard it is to get comfortable?”
I opened my mouth to once again apologize, but nothing came out. I was at a total loss of what to say. If this was Destiny nine months ago, I’d just make a joke, or say something like yes, she was exactly the person I was going to complain to because she could relate but no way was I going to dip my toes in those tried and true jesting waters. If I did, this Destiny—third trimester/overdue Destiny—was likely to chomp my foot off like Jaws.
A quick scan of Cara told me I was in this alone. She shrugged with sympathy and looked equally as puzzled as to what my next move should be. With limited choices, I decided to go with the one thing the three of us had always expected from each other—brutally honest sincerity.
Looking straight into her blue eyes that were shooting daggers at me, I tried to convey as much earnestness as I could. “Destiny, I am so, so sorry. I never meant to upset y—”
My heartfelt apology was cut short by bursts of laughter coming from my fellow Angels. It took a moment for my brain to catch up to what was going on, but when I did I registered that Cara was doubled over laughing uncontrollably and Destiny’s head had fallen back as she laughed so hard she said she was scared she was going to pee her pants.
What the hell? I knew that mood swings were a common side effect of pregnancy, but this was ridiculous.
“Oh!” Destiny tried to catch her breath as she wiped beneath her eyes as she composed herself. “You should’ve seen your face!”
“Wait…you’re not mad?” I knew that I wasn’t really firing on all cylinders, but I was having a hard time following along.
“No, not at all! I just figured I better get as much mileage out of this as I could. I’m actually feeling great. This past week, I’ve had a ton of energy and been cleaning like crazy. But, even if I was miserable, you still have the right to complain. Sunburns are no joke, and I still remember how I couldn’t even get out of bed after this one”—Destiny inclined her head towards Cara—“talked us into that ill-fated boot camp. I just saw an opportunity to amuse myself and took it. Honestly, I’ve been going a little stir crazy since JJ and Dr. Edwards decided that I can’t be at the bakery anymore. I’m sorry.”
Like I said—brutally, honest sincerity.
“And you were in on it?” I smiled as my eyes shifted to Cara.
Her blonde hair brushed her shoulders as she nodded. When you closed your eyes Destiny gave me the signal.”
The three of us had had a “signal” which consisted of a wink/nose wiggle combo since first grade. It had been born out of necessity when I lied to our teacher Mrs. H. I told her my dog ate my homework and I’d found it in a pile of his poop. When I’d turned to my two besties for backup, none had been forthcoming. They’d both seemed as shocked as Mrs. H was at my outlandish, but colorfully descriptive, story. After narrowly escaping detention, I put a “signal” into place. Whenever one of us needed another one to go along with something, you gave the “signal.” So far, it had saved us from so many things: being grounded, being fired, uncomfortable conversations, and countless unwanted advances, and, on one occasion, it had even gotten me out of a speeding ticket. And now, apparently, it was being used to play practical jokes.
“I’m sorry.” Cara’s voice was filled with concern as she leaned forward. Cara was by far the most nurturing and sensitive out of our threesome. “I didn’t think it would really upset you.”
“It didn’t,” Destiny answered for me. “She’s just cranky because she’s sexually frustrated working that closely with Hud and not being able to break her streak.”
“Um…I’m right here. I can answer for myself,” I protested, even though Destiny had hit the nail on the head.
“Sorry.” Destiny smiled brightly, completely unmoved by my testy response. “I was just trying to be helpful. I’m right though, admit it.”
I sighed in frustration, mostly at myself. “Yes. You’re right.”
“Really?” Cara’s eyes widened. “You have a thing for Hudson Reed?”
“Yes.” Destiny and I both answered simultaneously, something the three of us had a habit of doing.
“Since when?” Cara followed-up.
Glancing at Destiny, my left brow raised. “You want to take this one?”
I was more than a little curious to find out what she would say. I knew how long I’d had a thing for Hud. Basically since puberty. But I seriously doubted that she knew that.
“Nah, you go ahead.” She waved her hand dismissively. “It’s your story to tell.”
That’s what I thought.
“A while.”