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“Your turn, Lydia.” Lisa moved aside in her and Jake’s kitchen that night after putting the paper baking cups in the muffin pan.
Lydia held up her hands in her Betty Boop apron as if she were about to do surgery. “What am I supposed to do?”
Dee snickered, sipping red wine.
Lisa scooted the bowl of cupcake batter beside the muffin pan and handed Lydia the pastry bag. “Just squeeze the filling into the cups. It’s not rocket science.”
Dee laughed. “It is for her.”
Lydia bent over the pan, barely squeezing the pastry bag as if she’d hurt it.
“Get through with that.” Dee slid on top of the island. “I’m hungry and ready to get my cupcake on.”
“I want to make sure I don’t mess up.” Lydia squeezed the batter into the last row of cups. “I’m done.” She stood aside, fidgeting.
“Something bothering you?” Lisa put the pan in the oven. “You seem tense, Lydia.”
“Spill the tea.” Dee lifted her glass, belching. “That’s what girl’s night is for.”
“Got a call from Cam today.” Lydia washed her hands. “We got into a fight about moving to Baltimore.”
“I told you he didn’t really want to.” Dee swung her legs. “He’s just like you. Has to have adventure at every turn. Being stationary in a place like Baltimore won’t satisfy him.”
“Maybe I’ve changed because even though I love traveling to exotic places and exploring the world, I’m ready to settle down.” Lydia got a strawberry from the fruit tray and dipped it in the bowl of whip cream. “At some point we have to deal with us as a couple and I think he uses traveling as an excuse. I asked about our plans.” She lowered her head, batting her long lashes. “Like marriage and stuff.”
“Uh-oh.” Lisa puckered her lips. “Brought up the marriage thing?”
“Why are men so scared of marriage?” Lydia asked. “And, why do they think we gonna keep giving them the cookie for free?”
“Because we always do.” Dee laughed. “Half of it’s our fault. That’s why I never discuss marriage with Winston. I want to let him bring it up because if I do we’ll end up in a fight.”
“That’s not how I see it.” Lisa tilted her body, smacking her lips. “A woman has every right to ask. I’m tired of going through circles about marriage with Jake. He keeps saying it’ll happen but I’m not seeing him take any action. No one in this kitchen is getting any younger and time’s running out with these biological clocks. I’m in my late thirties. I want kids before I’m old enough to be someone’s grandmother.”
Dee motioned for the fruit tray and Lydia passed it to her. “Being happy with the man you love is more important.”
“Hm.” Lydia bit into another strawberry. “Then how long are you going to be stubborn and not apologize to Winston?” She looked at Lisa while gesturing to Dee. “They haven’t spoken to each other since she agreed to give Jonathan immunity.”
Dee stuck her nose in the air. “He called me stupid and I don’t play that. Here I am struggling with making the biggest decision of my life and he can’t support me. We’re not squashing this until he comes to me.”
“That’ll never happen since he’s just as pigheaded as you,” Lydia said.
“Winston’s a romantic.” Lisa poured more wine into her glass. “He won’t be able to hold out long. I’m sure it’s killing him.”
“Good. Let him be the one tortured for a while...whoa.” A paralyzing sensation rushed through Dee’s head. “Damn.”
Lisa grabbed her. “You okay?”
“Are you dizzy again, sis?”
“What do you mean ‘again’?” Lisa glanced at Lydia. “This has happened before?”
“No.” Dee massaged her temples. “I’m fine.”
“She’s lying. For weeks she’s been getting dizzy, almost fainting and throwing up.”
“I’m fine, Lydia.”
“How come you didn’t tell me this?” Lisa rubbed Dee’s back. “Have you seen a doctor?”
“No.” Lydia smacked while chewing strawberry. “Another thing she’s been stubborn about.”
“I’m just stressed but I’ll be all right now that this Jonathan stuff is settled.”
“Dizziness and throwing up?” Lisa touched Dee’s forehead. “You sure you aren’t pregnant?”
“Pregnant?” Dee grimaced. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Not the way you and Winston can’t keep your hands off each other.” Lydia snickered. “Take a pregnancy test.”
“I am not pregnant.” Dee huffed. “Jeez. Can’t a woman just be stressed?”
“I don’t think stress makes you dizzy to the point of passing out,” Lisa said.
“Thanks, Dr. Swanson.” Dee rolled her eyes. “For your information I had my period the week before last and these symptoms started before then so I can’t be pregnant.”
“I’d feel better if you took a pregnancy test.” Lisa took off her apron. “I’ll go get one.”
“What?” Dee gaped.
Lisa left the kitchen and came back with her purse. “I’ll go to the drugstore down the block and be back in a minute.”
“This is insane.” Dee jumped from the counter. “How can I be pregnant if I had my period? I’m not pregnant!”
Lydia checked the cupcakes. “Then you shouldn’t be afraid to take the test.”