When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark 4)

Rae shrugs. “I’ve booked a few weddings, and maternity shoots—you should let me do yours.” She brightens.

I nod. “Yeah, I guess I should have that done in a couple months. I didn’t even think about it,” I grumble.

There’s a lot to take into consideration when having a baby—things I didn’t even know to think about.

Like the fact that you’re not supposed to use bumper pads in cribs, because it can lead to SIDS. Or that your nipples can bleed if you’re breastfeeding.

I do not want bloody nipples.

“So, what about you?” I turn the conversation to Nova.

She wipes the condensation from her cup of iced coffee and shrugs. “Joel and I are talking about teaming up, since we work well together, but I’m not sure exactly what we can do to make a business, since neither of us is interested in doing what Rae does. We prefer the art of it.” She shrugs. “So for now, I dream and work at the record shop.”

“Do you think you guys could come by for dinner this week?” Rae asks, looking from me to Nova and back again. “I know it’s taken a while, but everything is finally in order and I want you guys to see the place.”

“Yeah, of course,” I say, picking up my cup of lemonade. “It’s not like I have a job to worry about,” I joke, because if I don’t I might cry.

Nova nods. “Yeah, that’s fine with me.”

“Saturday night?” Rae suggests with a raised brow, opening her phone calendar app to add it in.

“Yeah,” I say.

“Yes,” Nova chimes in.

It’ll be nice to spend the evening with everyone. We’ve all been so busy this summer so we haven’t spent much time together. I’ve been shocked by how this whole baby thing has taken up so much of my time.

When I’m not looking for a job, I’m researching, and there seems to be an endless amount of things you need to know.

It’s stressful. I feel like I need to take a test before they send me home with the baby.

Rae snaps her fingers in front of my face, bringing me back to reality.

“Yoo-hoo, Thea? Where’d you go?”

“Sorry, I spaced out.” I shake my head, bringing myself back to reality.

“I asked if you guys had any suggestions for dinner on Saturday?” she prompts, tilting her head to wait for our answer.

“Ooh, I vote for Cade’s scrambled eggs and your pancakes—I miss the breakfast you guys would make. Besides, breakfast for dinner is the best thing ever.”

“That sounds good to me,” Nova agrees. “Besides, she’s the pregnant one so you should do what she wants.”

I laugh. “I’m hungry all the time,” I confess. “But I also throw up all the time, which means I try not eat. It’s a vicious cycle.”

“I don’t envy you a bit.” Rae shakes her head.

“You better watch out,” I warn her, “or my brother will start poking holes in condoms.”

Nova snorts at this and slaps a hand over her mouth, muttering, “Sorry.”

“He better not even think about it.” Rae laughs. “I know he wants kids—I’ve told him to give me a few years, though.”

“I wanted to wait too, but apparently my husband has super sperm.” I point to my belly for evidence to my proclamation.

Both the girls laugh, and I’m glad we can make light of the situation.

“You guys will be great parents,” Nova tells me with a small smile.