SUPRISE
JESS
The cab jostled over a pothole, and I glared at Luke as he gripped the door with white–knuckled intensity, his jaw so tight I thought he might crack a tooth.
“Are you actually serious?” I blurted, my voice rising above the low hum of the engine.
Without looking at me, Luke nodded, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “We sort it out when we get back,” he said through clenched teeth, his tone final.
I stared at him, my mouth falling open. “Sort it out? Sort it out?” I echoed, incredulous. “Luke, has my brother completely lost his mind? Did someone schedule a CT scan for him because what the actual fuck was he thinking? Telling Sarah she can stay with him? He barely knows her! Well–other than being marooned on an island, I mean.”
Luke sighed, his grip on the wheel relaxing slightly as he
glanced at me. “I know,” he said, his tone softer now, though his frustration was still evident.
I threw my hands up in exasperation, the seatbelt cutting into my shoulder. “You know? That’s all you’ve got? Luke, this is insane! She’s… she’s a stranger, basically! And—”
“She saved our lives, Jess,” he interrupted, his voice quiet but firm, cutting through my rant.
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That stopped me short, my anger faltering as I saw the way his shoulders sagged, the weight of everything pressing down on him. “Luke…”
He shook his head, rubbing a hand over his face. “Josh means well, okay? He’s just… trying to do the right thing. She’s struggling, Jess. Lost her apartment, drowning in debt. She didn’t ask for this mess either.”
I folded my arms across my chest, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past. “And that’s awful, but inviting her to live with him? Didn’t they give her the same payout as you? She should have gotten money?”
Luke huffed out a breath, glancing at me briefly before turning back to the road. “She had debt – things she needed to pay – I don’t know. What do you want me to do? Tell her to suck it up and figure it out on her own?”
“No, but—” I paused, biting my lip. I didn’t have an easy answer either, and that frustrated me even more.
Luke glanced at me again, his gaze softer this time. “Look, I get why you’re pissed. Trust me, I’m not thrilled about it either. But we’ll figure it out, okay? Together.”
I sighed, leaning back against the seat and rubbing my temples. “Together,” I muttered, more to myself than to him.
The cab rolled to a stop in front of our house, and I blinked in confusion at the sight of balloons–dozens of them–arched into a pink and blue display framing the front yard. My jaw dropped as I spotted Josh and Laura standing by the porch, looking far too pleased with themselves.
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11:53
SUPRISE
288 Vouchers
“Are they serious right now?” I muttered, throwing a glance at Luke. He was already shaking his head, his lips twitching like he was fighting off a grin.
“Looks like they went all out,” he said, pushing open his door.
As we climbed out of the cab, Laura waved enthusiastically, practically bouncing on her toes. “You’re finally here!”
Josh folded his arms, trying and failing to look casual, but the smug grin on his face ruined the effect.
“Why are there balloons in my yard?” I asked, arching a brow as we approached.
“Because we’re celebrating, obviously,” Laura said, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the house before I could protest.
Josh followed behind, clapping Luke on the shoulder. “Big day,
- man. You ready?”
Luke gave him a wary look but didn’t respond, which only made Josh grin wider.
When we walked into the kitchen, I froze. Both sides of the room were decorated in an elaborate pink–and–blue theme, a literal line dividing the counters. On one side, everything was pink–cupcakes, flowers, streamers, even plates and napkins. On the other, it was all blue, with matching decorations to complete the split.
Laura stood by the pink side, practically vibrating with excitement, while Josh leaned casually against the blue counter. Both of them stared at us expectantly.
SUPAISE
Luke crossed his arms, looking between them. “And?” he finally asked, his voice dry.
I sighed, unable to hold back a smile as I placed a hand on my belly. “It’s a girl.”
Laura let out an ear–piercing squeal, jumping up and down in triumph. Before I could react, Luke reached over to the blue side, grabbed one of the cakes, and unceremoniously dumped it in the trash.
“Hey!” Josh protested, throwing his arms up.
Luke just smirked, leaning against the counter. “Guess you don’t need that anymore.”
Laura was still bouncing, clapping her hands together. “I knew it! I knew it was going to be a girl!”
Josh grumbled something under his breath, but he couldn’t hide the small smile creeping onto his face.
I laughed, shaking my head at the two of them. “You guys are ridiculous.”
Luke’s hand slid around my waist, pulling me close. He pressed a kiss to my temple and murmured, “Yeah, but they’re our ridiculous.”
And for once, I couldn’t argue with that.
I turned to Luke, shaking my head. “You and your big surprises.”
He leaned down, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Had to make it memorable, babe.”
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警察
288 Vouchers
And honestly, às ridiculous as it was, I couldn’t help but smile.
SUPRISE
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POOL HOUSE
