Chapter 0981

“I’m like barely with child! Oh, come on, a sip in celebration isn’t going to hurt them!”

“Mommy wants her liquor,” Jesse whispers to Marigold, his eyes wide with pretend worry. Goldie’s mouth circles into an anxious little ‘o’ as she turns her gaze to me.

“Nope!” mom says, absurdly cheerful. “None! And no caffeine either – you’ve got to be healthy, Ari -”

“No coffee!?” I squeak, horrified. Rafe grins at me, delighting in my agony as I slump dramatically back against my chair. “I’ll never make it. I’m not prepared for this.”

“You’ll be fine, cupcake,” mom coos, petting my hair back from my forehead. “We’ll get you some nice herbal tea.”

I groan and then hold my glass out towards Marigold. “Here, Goldie, this is for you. You like apple juice, right?”