With the meal done and the moon high overhead, it’s time for me to leave my newly engaged brother and his bride-to-be and their crazy-ass dog and retreat to my own quieter abode. I’ve been slow to leave because tonight is my last night at my apartment. Walking into the place that’s been home for the last eight years, my life stuffed into cardboard boxes, is equal parts sad and exhilarating.
I carry the remaining dinner dishes into the kitchen as Lainie packs up the leftovers for me and slides a boxed tiramisu into my cloth grocery bag.
“For later,” she says. “In celebration of your new house. I forgot to bring it out.”
“Thanks, Lainie.”
“There’s one other thing Gabe wanted me to tell you …” She leans against the counter, fingers fidgeting with the engagement ring.
“Are you pregnant? O
