Page 132 of Meet Me in Italy
Megan said good night and left just as Sloane and Ben came up. Sloane had taken off her high heels over an hour ago. Her feet were swelling because of the pregnancy, so Ben was carrying her shoes. She was due in just a couple of months, which was why Jules and Charlotte had chosen to have the wedding in August, even though it was the hottest month of the year. They hadn’t wanted to schedule it later because Sloane would be too far along to be able to fly.
“Lilly said you only have a couple of months before your baby arrives,” Robert said. “Congratulations.”
Sloane put a hand over her swollen stomach. “Thank you. We can’t wait.”
“We have the nursery all ready,” Ben added.
“Do you know the sex?” Cindy asked.
Sloane gave Lilly a look that indicated she could be the one to reveal it, and she piped up with, “It’s a girl.” Sloane had called her and Charlotte as soon as she and Ben had left the ultrasound appointment to let them know.
“Do you have a name picked out yet?” Robert asked.
Ben switched Sloane’s shoes to his other hand. “We’re planning to call her Mila.”
“Pretty,” Cindy said.
Sloane slid her arm around Lilly’s shoulders. “We hope she turns out just like this girl here.”
Heat climbed Lilly’s cheeks, but she smiled as her phone signaled a call. Everyone she knew or interacted with was at the wedding, so she was surprised—until she remembered telling Steve that she’d FaceTime him so he could be part of the celebration.
“Sorry, I have to answer this,” she said before connecting the call.
“Hey, did you forget about me?” Steve asked.
“Not really. I just lost track of time, so I’m glad you called,” Lilly said, feeling a bit sheepish. “How’s Old Blue?”
“He’s good. He’s right here.” He turned the phone so she could see the dog sleeping on the porch at his feet. “He can’t wait for you to come visit.”
She was going to be staying with Steve and Old Blue while Charlotte and Julian went back to Italy on their honeymoon. “I’ll be there soon.”
“Thanks for making it possible for me to attend the wedding—at least virtually.”
“Of course. Let me introduce you to everyone,” she said and showed him her dress before turning the phone around so he could meet all the other people she knew and loved.
Beyond the screen, laughter scattered like confetti across the lit garden, and for the first time in her life, Lilly felt her whole world fit in one frame.
