The Baby Claim

“I was thinking for each correct guess, pick your poison for someone or yourself—a champagne Jell-O shot or a chocolate truffle?” Shana suggested.

Forcing herself back into the present moment, Glenna decided to be helpful. “Where are the truffles and alcohol?”

Naomi and Shana each swept a silver cover off a platter just as the wide screen televisions hummed to life. Each TV went to split screen, with multiple profiles.

“Oh, oh!” Her cousin Sage’s hand shot into the air. “Well, this is easy enough. I see five guys with creepster in their profile name. Like ‘Legman.’ Four guys reference their penis length.”

“Eww.” Alayna shook her head. “And there are two with ‘hard’ in their name.” Both she and Sage rushed to the minibar and popped an assortment of champagne Jell-O shots and truffles into their mouths. They savored them with closed eyes, yums and mmms.

Glenna crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “Do guys really think we go for that level of slime?” She pointed to another screen. “The guys on the left side appear real.”

Yes, for the moment, she would play this game and drink a little champagne, then she’d be on her way.

Her eyes went to Broderick again. She wasn’t in any condition to be in the same room with him once the men came back inside. She’d spent so much time with him this week, she couldn’t handle being in this house with him surrounded by family. It was too close to the cozy mistletoe image he’d painted for her back in his office.

Naomi nodded. “Well done, future stepsister. Help yourself to the treats.”

Stepsister? Glenna made a beeline for the champagne shots. Another mark on the why-anything-with-Broderick would be infinitely complicated. The sweet, slippery shot with a kick sent a delicious tingle along her senses. Yes. Just what she needed. This would be her treat of choice for the duration of the game.

Especially if she expected to get through an evening with Broderick and keep her sanity.

“I’m sure there are good ones out there, too. Honest ones.” Glenna considered another shot, just for the hell of it.

“We could do a percentage chart of how many there are, and I’m guessing it will all average out. The point here is to be wise, ladies. Be wise.”

Naomi snorted. “Or stay single.”

Shana laughed. “Cynic.”

“Realist.” Naomi waved to the minibar. “Please help yourself to the food before the men return.”

“What?” Alayna stood, swaying a little, clearly a drinking lightweight. “That’s it?”

“Would you have preferred a male stripper?” Naomi’s laugh was hoarse and deep. Genuine. Glenna liked her honesty.

“Let it be known for the record,” Naomi continued, winking with playful mischief that almost hid the tension in her face, a tension echoed in all of them at this forced gathering. “I would have voted for a stripper, a cowboy. Or at the very least a lingerie shower, but your sister-in-law shot down those ideas.”

Shana shrugged. “I wasn’t sure Jeannie would approve. Now, let’s enjoy this amazing food. The Steeles’ chef is truly exceptional I have to say. Jeannie? A Jell-O shot?”

Jeannie shook her head, her shoulder-length hair brushing her shoulders in a blond-gray echo of her children’s coloring.

Alayna stumbled over and gripped her mother’s arm. “You’re not pregnant, are you, Mom? Do we need to have a talk with you before the wedding?”

Glenna’s thoughts winged back to the night before her own wedding. Her mom and sister had gathered around her as they ate ice cream and watched chick flicks. Nostalgia and regret rolled over her.

Jeannie patted Alayna’s hand, dismissive and amused. The matriarch winked. “I think I’ve got that covered.”

“Clearly.” Glenna’s mind skipped over the images of that fateful walk in and moved right to memories of a similar shower moment with Broderick back in college. God, she needed to speed this party along, snag her coat and leave. “Perhaps you could give us some notes—”

The burgeoning camaraderie was cut short by a swelling of voices outside. Louder and louder, even shouting. Glenna shot to her feet, searching through the windows. The men were sliding from their horses beside a Range Rover. A young woman stood beside the car, holding a baby swaddled in a pink parka.

Curiosity brought Glenna to the edge of her seat, her eyes drawn to that precious bundle. Murmurs filled the sunroom, but Glenna only half heard. Her gaze was still trained beyond the windows. Before she could question the wisdom of her action, she stood and reached for her white wool coat and cashmere scarf.