Things Liars Fake: a Novella (a #ThreeLittleLies novella Book 3)(37)

The room gives a collective ‘Awwwww.’

Collin looks over at me, and our eyes meet. I’ve known the guy almost my entire life and I can say with certainly that right now, he might sound confident—but he definitely looks like he’s going to barf.

I give him a firm, You got this, buddy and an encouraging thumbs up.

Message received. “Anyway, we brought you here to tell you that… we’re in love and, well. There’s no easy way to say this, so… Mom. Dad. Everyone—we got married at the courthouse last week and… we’re having a baby!”

For a second, no one moves.

The room is deafeningly silent.

“Surprise!” Tabitha radiates joy, hands flying to her belly.

But then…

Both their mothers start to cry. All at once, everyone starts hugging. Excited chatter, a champagne bottle is uncorked and flies across the room. Wine is being poured.

It’s a veritable love fest.

Greyson and Cal sidle up to Daphne and I get elbowed in the ribs by Collin’s stunning kid sister.

She chuckles. “Well, since we’re all sharing news, this might be a good time to go tell my parents Cal and I are moving in together this summer. There’s no way they can get mad at us after that little announcement!”

With a laugh, they head off towards their parents, hand-in-hand.

“Wow, this whole night has been surreal,” Daphne says beside me, leaning into me when I slide my arm around her waist. “First my friends all fall in love, then they’re moving in together, then they’re having babies…”

I plant a kiss on the top of her head. “We’ll get there.”

Her breath hitches. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

She beams up at me, smiling wide. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

And you know what?

We do get there.

Exactly seventeen months and four days later.





I kept teasing my friend Christine (who does my proofreading, Facebook page, and basically helps manage my life) that i was going to start my acknowledgements with, “My Dearest Christine….” So. Here it goes.

My Dearest Christine, thank you for being part of the ‘we.’ I look forward to many adventures (and travels?!) together. Hint hint. Thanks for shedding that one tiny, solitary tear when you read the last lines of this book. <tear> It was an awkward moment for both of us, but it meant the world to me.

Thank you, as always, to my Beta’s: Nikki Kroll, Christine, and M.E. Carter

Seriously. Without your feedback, the story is never quite as good, and I value your comments. Especially the ones that say: Seriously? Are you trying to drive me nuts? OMG Stop using the word [fill in the blank]

Thank you Shawn Garcia and Crystal Graham – who drove all the way to see me in Dallas, and trusted me with their purses while they worked the crowd. Er, I mean, book signing…

A huge thank you to Murphy Rae & Julie at JT Formatting, for well… you know.

Sorry I’m not more organized.