“Oh my God, I did too. I feel we need to celebrate you guys, and Emery was bitching about sushi, so I said we’d have it. And then I stopped because Lucas, Jakob, and my dad were standing there,” Shelli exclaims.
Asher shrugs and Ally laughs. “I don’t know. We like that no one knows. It’s our little secret.”
“That everyone but your parents knows about,” Stella says, making a face. “You two need to say something before Emery outs you guys.”
“She’s right, and you know it,” Aiden adds, nodding.
“Mom should have stopped having kids after me,” Asher grumbles, and Aiden laughs as Stella glares.
“Excuse me. I am a blessing in your life.”
Aiden and Asher both scoff. “The hell you are. A pain is more like it,” Aiden says, and Asher nods.
“Put you and Emery together, and it’s absolute warfare,” Asher throws at her, and I have to agree.
“He isn’t wrong.”
She gives me a dark look. “That’s more Emery than me.”
Shelli giggles. “It’s both of you.”
“It is,” Ally and Posey say together, and Stella pouts.
I cuddle her in my arms, kissing her jaw. “You’re a blessing in my life,” I whisper in her ear, and she leans into me, a smile replacing the pout.
“At least someone appreciates me,” she throws at her family, and I can’t help but grin. The conversation quickly turns to the upcoming baby shower, just like Emery said it would. I’m so over it all, but nothing can upset me when I have my girl in my arms. She’s listening and contributing to the conversation since she is helping plan it. I didn’t know that until now.
Out of nowhere, Posey teases, “Are you two going to tell your parents you’re having a kid when that happens?”
Asher and Ally laugh. “That’s far in the future,” Ally says, and Asher nods.
“We want to enjoy each other first. Grow a little more.”
And then Posey looks at us. “Thoughts on kids?” I can tell she’s joking, but Stella rolls her eyes.
“I’m nineteen. There are no thoughts. While yes, we are in a committed relationship, full of all things naughty and loving—”
“Gag,” Aiden says, and she glares.
“Okay, child. Grow up,” she growls, which makes me laugh. “I’m young, and like you said, Ally, I want us to grow together. See the world first.” She meets my gaze, concern in her eyes. “Plus, we could get sick of each other tomorrow.”
I can’t say I’d knock her up now, can I?
“That won’t happen,” I promise, and she grins. “I haven’t really thought of all that, but I like your answer.”
Posey laughs. “I was only teasing, guys. No need to get deep with us.”
Aiden gives Posey a look. “You know good and well that’s how Stella is. Calculated and well-thought-out answers. She’s always been like that.”
“Always,” Asher says, meeting his sister’s gaze. “She has always known what she wanted and has had an explanation for everything. It’s annoying.”
“Which is why she is going to do awesome things once she’s done with school,” Shelli says with a grin. “How is school?”
I feel the uneasiness pour off her, and I hold her closer for support. “I finished with a 4.0.”
“Duh,” I tease, and she grins over at me. “Beauty and brains. My girl has it all.”
Everyone laughs and smiles at us, but I notice that Stella isn’t smiling. She lets out a deep breath, holding my wrists. She clears her throat and then looks over at me. “Like Asher and Ally, I would appreciate if no one said anything to my parents, but I’ve decided not to go back to school.”
My eyes widen as I hold her gaze. “Oh, we’re doing this now?”
She grins, and I love the look in her eyes. The determination. The confidence. When she glances away, I look at everyone, and they’re all confused.
Aiden is the first to speak. “What do you mean?”
“I’m going to work with Audrey, making cupcakes.”
Posey gawks at her. “Really? But you love fashion.”
“Things change.”
The silence is killing me, but then Aiden sets me with a look. “You cause this?”
I shake my head, but before I can speak, Stella says, “No. I’ve been working with Audrey for about two years now.”
“I wouldn’t do that to her, Aiden,” I insist. “But for your reference, she made the gender reveal cupcakes.”
Shelli beams. “Those were fantastic.”
“So damn good,” Ally gushes. “My favorites.”
Stella grins from ear to ear. “Thank you. I love doing it.”
“But you’re really good at fashion. I mean, you’re a walking fashion magazine,” Aiden says, but she shrugs.
“I love fashion, but I love making cupcakes more.”
“Wow. Okay,” Asher says, holding his sister’s gaze. “As long as you’re happy, I’m good. Are you happy?”
“Ecstatic,” she says, leaning into me, and I couldn’t be prouder. “But I am worried Mom and Dad will be mad.”
Aiden nods. “For good reason. They spent a lot on school and all.”