SARAH I decide to take two days off. “I can’t believe you’re making me do this.” Ronan hands me a helmet, completely unbothered by my protest. “You said you wanted to do something fun.” “I said I wanted to relax. This is the opposite of relaxing.” “It’s go-karting, kitten. Not skydiving.” “I’m pregnant!” “Which is why we chose the slowest track in the city,” Malachi says, already strapping on his own helmet. “No sharp turns. Speed limit enforced. Completely safe.” I look at Jaxon for backup. He just grins at me. “Don’t look at me, baby. I want to see you behind the wheel. You’ve been so badass lately, I bet you’d smoke all of us.” “That’s blatant manipulation.” “Is it working?” I grab the helmet from Ronan. “Fine. But if anything happens to these babies, I’m blaming all three of you.” “Fair,” they say in unison. Fifteen minutes later, I’m behind the wheel of a bright pink go-kart—because of course they chose pink—and I’m having the time of my life. “Eat my dust, Jaxon!” I yell as I zoom past him. His laugh echoes across the track. “Oh, it’s like that?” “It’s exactly like that!” Malachi pulls up beside me at the next turn. “Having fun?” “Maybe.” “Just maybe?” “Okay, fine. This is amazing. Don’t let it go to your heads.” “Too late,” Ronan says through the headset we’re all connected to. “Already planning our next outing. Zip-lining.” “Absolutely not.”“Rock climbing?” “No.” “Pottery class?” I burst out laughing. “Did you just suggest pottery?” “I’m workshopping ideas here,” he defends. “Trying to find something that doesn’t make you threaten our lives.” “I like the pottery idea,” Malachi chimes in. “Very romantic. Like that movie.” “If you’re talking about Ghost, I swear to God—” Jaxon starts. “What’s wrong with Ghost?” I interrupt. “That’s a classic.” “It’s depressing,” Jaxon argues. “Guy dies in the first act.” “But their love transcends death!” Malachi counters. “You two are ridiculous,” Ronan mutters, and I can hear the smile in his voice. I pull ahead, taking the lead. “Less talking, more racing. I’m winning and I want to enjoy it.” “She’s getting competitive,” Jaxon observes. “I love it.” “Don’t get used to it,” Ronan warns. “I’m just letting her win.” “Like hell you are!” I press harder on the gas pedal. “I’m winning fair and square.” “Sure, kitten. Whatever you say.” I end up finishing first. Barely. Ronan comes in second, followed by Jaxon, then Malachi. “I let you win,” Ronan insists as we climb out of our karts. “You keep telling yourself that.” I pat his chest. “I’ll be over here enjoying my victory.” He grabs my hand, pulls me close. “You’re adorable when you’re gloating.” “I’m adorable all the time.” “True.” He kisses my forehead. “But especially now.” We end up at a small Italian restaurant for lunch. The kind of place with checkered tablecloths and candles in wine bottles. “This is nice,” I say, looking around. “Quiet.” “After the week you’ve had, I figured you needed quiet,” Malachi says, squeezing my hand across the table. “Thank you. All of you. For today. I needed this.”“You deserve it,” Jaxon says. “You’ve been fighting battles left and right. It’s good to just… be.” The waiter comes. We order. Wine for them, sparkling water for me. “I miss wine,” I sigh. “Only six more months,” Malachi reminds me. “Six and a half. But who’s counting?” “You, apparently,” Ronan chuckles, and I decide I want to pinch his nose. The food arrives. Pasta for me, various dishes for them. We eat family style, sharing everything. “Try this.” Jaxon holds up a forkful of his chicken parmigiana. I lean forward, let him feed me. “Oh my God. That’s incredible.” “Right?” He grins. “Want me to order you one?” “No, I’ll just steal yours.” “I was hoping you’d say that.” Malachi offers me a bite of his risotto. Then Ronan shares his lasagna. By the end of the meal, I’ve tasted everything on the table. “You know,” I say, leaning back in my chair, “this is the most normal I’ve felt in weeks.” “Normal is good,” Malachi says. “Normal is underrated,” Jaxon adds. “Normal might not last,” Ronan points out with a tired smile. “But we can enjoy it while it’s here.” Ever the optimist. “The board meeting is in four days,” I say. “We’re not talking about that right now,” Jaxon shushes me as he shakes his head . “Today is about you. Not work. Not Julian. Not any of that.” “He’s right,” Malachi agrees. “Today, you’re just Sarah. Our Sarah. Not CEO Sarah. Just you.” “I like being just me,” I admit. “We like you being just you too,” Ronan says softly. The moment sits between us. It’s warm, serene. It makes me want to stay in it forever. “Okay, but seriously,” I break the silence. “Pottery class? Are we actually doing that?” “If you want to,” Malachi says.Do I want to? I’ve never really had the time to try a lot of things. “I don’t know,” I shrug. “I guess I kind of want to.” “Then we will.” Jaxon flags down the waiter for dessert. We order tiramisu to share. “This is dangerous,” I say around a mouthful. “I’m going to gain so much weight.” “You’re pregnant,” Malachi reminds me. “You’re supposed to gain weight.” “Yeah, but I’m already showing. What if I get huge?” “Then you’ll be beautiful and huge,” Jaxon says simply. “We’ll love you either way.” “You have to say that. You’re contractually obligated as my fiancés.” “We mean it though,” Ronan adds. “Every word.” I feel my throat tighten. “You guys are going to make me cry in this restaurant.” “Don’t cry,” Malachi says quickly. “We can’t handle it when you cry.” “I’m pregnant. I cry at commercials now. You better get used to it.” “Fair point.” We finish dessert, and we walk into the evening sun. “I need to use the bathroom,” I announce when we’re halfway to the car. “That sparkling water went right through me.” “We’ll wait here,” Ronan says. I head back inside, following the signs to the restroom. The restaurant is quieter now. Most of the lunch crowd has cleared out. I push open the bathroom door, and I’m just washing my hands when I hear the door open behind me. I glance up at the mirror. My hands freeze. Detective Caroline Walters is standing in the doorway, blocking my exit. “Ms. Wellspring,” she says quietly. “We need to talk.” My heart starts racing, but I keep my face neutral. Turn around slowly.“Detective. Funny running into you here. AGAIN.” The last word comes out with a sneer. “It’s had no other choice.” She takes a step closer. “It’s the only way to make you listen.” Right. “I warned you about this. I could have you arrested.” “You could try.” She crosses her arms. “But I don’t think you want the attention that would bring.” I roll my eyes. “What do you want, Detective?”