Ice-skating was a blast, but I’m pretty sure I could sleep for a week. I wouldn’t tell a soul, but the Braxton Hicks contractions are definitely hitting full force. A few are even hard to breathe through. I keep reassuring Luke that I’m fine, but I definitely need a nice warm bath to soothe my aching muscles.

“So, my mom was wondering if you’re planning on visiting Susan while you’re in town?” Luke asks as we drive home, eyeing me from his side of the car.

I shrug, noncommittally. I’m still undecided whether I will, or won’t, be seeing my dear old mother-in-law. I’ve never felt so at war with myself over something. I know what’s the right thing to do, but it will also be significantly more difficult.

Battling my conscience on a daily basis isn’t exactly easy, either.

I continue to stare out the window hoping Luke will let it go, and I can bury my head in the sand for a little while longer.

Mature, I know.

“You know Adam would want his mom to be involved. I know she’s crazy, but she’s still his family. I’m just saying.” Luke leans across the center console and squeezes my thigh gently, trying to lessen the sting of his honesty.

I let out a deep breath through my lips, knowing he’s right, and hating him a little bit for it.

“I know,” I whisper, quietly.

--

Once we’re home, I immediately head toward the bathtub upstairs. My aching feet slowly dragging me to my destination. The rest of the evening should be pretty low-key considering Christmas Eve is tomorrow, and Sarah will just be cooking until then. I decide to take advantage of the free time by soaking in a nice bubble bath.

I’ve decided to visit Susan tomorrow afternoon, before her annual Christmas Eve party. I figure I’ll be able to get out of her hair before the festivities, and she can brag to all her friends how happy she is to be a grandma. If she’s happy, that is. I blow out air through my lips, debating how I’m going to drop the bomb on her. Looking down at my giant belly, I decide I won’t need to say much.

After my heavenly bath, I slip into another pair of black yoga pants and a pink maternity t-shirt that says, “Preggosaurus,” with a dinosaur on it. Luke got it for me a few weeks ago out of the blue, saying he couldn’t resist. It’s my most favorite shirt ever.

Making my way downstairs, I see everyone sitting at the table, playing Two Truths and a Lie. It’s a pretty simple game where everyone comes up with two truths about themselves and one lie. The object of the game is to detect which “fact” is false.

You’d think the game would be boring when playing with your family who already knows everything about you, but it actually makes it more fun because you have to be more creative with both your truths, and your lie.

I take a seat to the left of Breezy, with Luke sitting across from me, his mom sitting on his left, and his dad at the head of the table on Bree’s right. Apparently, Jake is still playing video games in his room.

They’re about to begin a new round.

It’s Bree’s turn, and the table is quiet as she tries to think of her “facts.”

After a minute, she starts her turn. “I made up Henry’s occupation. He doesn’t actually work in an office. He’s between jobs right now. I actually hate Christmas Vacation with a vengeance because Clark freaking Griswold is such a stupid idiot. And I’ve decided I want a puppy for Christmas and will be buying one when I get into my apartment.”

We’re going clockwise, so it’s my turn to guess which “fact” is actually a lie. After debating for a minute, I decide it’s the Christmas Vacation one. That girl knows every single line in that movie. There’s no way she hates it, and she’s definitely impulsive enough to buy a puppy without thinking it through.

“Christmas Vacation.”

“Puppy,” Luke states confidently, folding his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair.

“Puppy,” repeats, Sarah.

“I’m hoping it’s Henry because you can’t honestly be dating a guy without a job, but I have a feeling it’s puppy, too,” Jim says, exasperated.

Bree laughs before announcing, “Puppy for the win! I am not getting a dog, everyone! And sorry Dad, but he’s a really great guy! I know you’ll love him, even though he doesn’t have a job at the moment.”

Jim’s face turns pale at Bree’s confession.

“You’re turn, Liv!” Sarah says pointedly, hoping to change the subject from Bree’s bad taste in men.

“Piece of cake,” Luke says cockily.

I raise my eyebrows. “Oh really, Luke? You think you know me so well that I can’t fool you?” I ask, the challenge clear in my voice.

Luke smirks in my direction, tapping his finger against his chin. “Let’s make it interesting, Liv. If you can slip something past me, I’ll buy you that fancy car seat and stroller combo you’ve been eyeing. But if I win, I get to choose Little Man’s middle name.”

My jaw hits the floor. I’ve been drooling over the Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System for months now, but it’s way out of my price range. How did he know about that? I thought I’d been so sneaky by only drooling in my private time.

On the other hand, Luke’s been begging me to have the baby’s middle name be Danger so that he can say, “Danger’s my middle name.”

He thinks he’s so funny. Cue eye roll.

I pause, biting my lip as I nervously contemplate if I want to take this bet or not. I take a deep breath before standing and reaching my hand across the table so we can shake on it.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a nice car seat and stroller.

“Deal,” I say as confidently as I can, even though my inner girl is shaking in her proverbial boots.

His smirk turns into a full-on grin, showcasing his straight white teeth. “Deal,” he repeats, boldly. He grasps my hand firmly from across the table, shaking it once before releasing me.

I swallow thickly, my mind instantly searching for things he doesn’t know about me. I quickly realize how difficult this is going to be in order to win, and losing is not an option. He just knows me too damn well.

I clear my throat once before starting my turn. “Adam wasn’t my first kiss, although he thought he was. I’ve never broken a bone, and…” I shift my eyes toward the table, embarrassed to actually say this out loud, “I had a crush on Luke before Adam ever asked me out.” I bite my lip nervously, wondering if I’ve played my cards right.

Luke’s gaze is burning a hole in my forehead, but I refuse to look up. I realize I’m holding my breath as I wait for Luke to guess which fact is false. After what feels like an eternity, Luke finally breaks the silence.

“Never broken a bone,” he states confidently from across the table. My forehead creases almost instantly, my eyes darting up to his.

Taking in his cocky demeanor, I’m disappointed with how easily he read through me.

He didn’t even hesitate. I haven’t told a soul about my real first kiss. It was before I transferred schools, and I’ve never spoken about it since. How the hell would he know that?

I’ve also never told a soul that I had a crush on Luke at one point, afraid it would hurt my relationship with Adam. Why wouldn’t he have guessed that one? Was I that obvious?

And the bone thing? No one knows that I broke my stupid pinky toe from stubbing it on my dresser when I was little.

“How the hell did you know that?” I mutter under my breath, feeling anxious and confused.

He smirks in my direction, his body oozing confidence. “You used to shift uncomfortably any time Adam would bring up being your first and last kiss.” His smile slightly falters, like it always does when bringing up his best friend, before he clears his throat and continues, glossing over my confession of having a little crush on him. “And the third fact had to have merit because you have a tiny little bump on your left pinky toe that I came across the last time I painted your toe nails. It’s still a little tender sometimes. I was able to assume you’d broken it at one point.” His smile is back full-force. “Therefore, I win, Sweetheart. Haven’t you learned by now not to play games with me?” he jokes cockily, his stare pinning me in place.

I’m seething from his little speech. I can practically feel steam coming from my ears. There’s no way in hell I’m letting him name my child Danger.

“Double or nothing,” I spit, glaring at him from across the table. If looks could kill, he’d be shriveled up on the floor right now.

“I’m sorry. I must’ve heard you wrong, Sweetheart,” Luke jokes, placing his hand behind his ear for better hearing. “There’s no way you can be serious. What else would you want to bet?”

By now, his entire family is staring at us, completely intrigued. At one point Jake must’ve heard the commotion because he comes in with a giant bowl of popcorn and is passing it around to his sister and parents.

Bree pops a buttery piece into her mouth before saying, “Ooo…I like it. She’s raised the stakes!”

I glare at her before turning my attention back to Luke. “There’s no way I’m letting you name my baby Danger, so it doesn’t matter what else we put on the table. I’m not going to let you win twice.”

Luke grins mischievously before leaning forward and placing his elbows on the table. “So, you’re telling me that I can bet whatever I want? No questions asked?”

His gaze turns predatory, and I definitely feel like the weaker prey. I contemplate backing down before the name Danger flashes through my mind.

“Deal.” The word leaves my mouth before I can stop it. “Only this time, I get to guess.”

Luke looks at me, intrigued. “Deal.”

Bree squeals with excitement at the turn of events and starts clapping. “This is better than reality TV!” she exclaims.

I ignore her, continuing to glare at Luke instead. “Whenever you’re ready, Sweetheart,” I say condescendingly.

Luke leans back, his arms crossed over his broad chest, and taps his forefinger against his chin.

“First,” he holds up his index finger, “moved away from home to get a good college experience. Second,” he lifts his middle finger, “I came to your wedding and sat outside the chapel the entire time, leaving after you said, ‘I Do.’ And third,” he holds up his ring finger, “the biggest regret I’ve ever had was who I asked to prom, even if that’s not entirely on me.”

His stare continues to hold mine from across the table. I feel a little shaken by his choice of facts. I’m speechless, actually. I try to clear my head of the emotions racing through me and remember this is just a game. A game that I need to win.

I think through each specific fact.

First, he moved away from home to get a good college experience. Obviously, true. That’s what he told me when he was applying, and that’s what he told me the day he left. That’s also what his parents told me every time I saw them, even if I only saw them rarely. I feel like that’s an easy one. But maybe it’s an easy one on purpose, and he wants me to immediately dismiss it.

Gah! Now I’m second-guessing myself.

Let’s move on.

Second, he came to my wedding and sat outside the chapel until I said, “I Do.” I’m not sure if there’s any truth behind this. Actually, I’m pretty sure there isn’t. But he wouldn’t make it that easy, now would he? He had told me he couldn’t make it to the wedding because of school. That, I remember. His finals were later than Adam’s, so he couldn’t attend. It made perfect sense. I was bummed he didn’t come, but I understood. Especially after seeing how hard finals were on Adam. It made sense why he wouldn’t be able to celebrate with us.

I shake my head, remembering how sad I was that he couldn’t make it. I had missed him like crazy.

I clear my throat. On to the last fact.

Third, the biggest regret he’s ever had was whom he asked to prom. Seriously? That’s kind of ridiculous. I try to think back to prom, but I don’t remember much about his date. I think her name was Beth or something? I was still pretty new, so I didn’t know the girls very well. Especially since I only ever hung out with Luke and Adam. But I’m pretty sure he made out with her the whole time, so it couldn’t have been that big of a regret.

As I battle with myself about which fact is fake, I see Bree’s hand shoot into the air as she starts waving it proudly back and forth. “I know which one’s false! I know which one’s false!” she chants.

I look over at her before Luke growls, “Eyes on me, Liv.” His commanding tone grabs my attention. My gaze immediately falls back on Luke, his eyes pinning me in place.

“Bree, put your damn hand down before I make you leave the room,” he barks at her, his eyes never leaving mine.

From the corner of my eye, I see Bree slowly place her hand back in her lap.

“What’s your answer, Liv?” Luke asks, huskily.

I bite my lower lip, debating internally, yet unable to look away from Luke’s piercing green eyes.

“What’s your answer, Sweetheart?” Luke repeats, sincerely.

I’m afraid I might know the answer, but it’s not the one I’m willing to voice out loud, so I go a different route.

“My wedding,” I whisper, quietly. There’s no way he could’ve been there.

Luke shakes his head almost imperceptibly. If I’d blinked, I would’ve missed it.

He raps his knuckles on the oak table before standing and making his way over to me. Luke leans down and whispers in my ear, “Wrong again, Sweetheart.” Goosebumps erupt over my neck and arms at his close proximity, but before I can turn to look at him, he’s already in the hallway heading upstairs.

Bree chuckles awkwardly, trying to break the tension in the room. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work. “Whelp, who’s up for a movie?” she asks the silent room. Jake mutters something about video games before following Luke upstairs, and Sarah and Jim nod eagerly at Bree’s idea of a movie. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and follow them to the family room, all the while wondering what I now owed Luke, and when he would want to collect.