“You look incredible,” I said, handing Bennett the gift basket so I could embrace her.

Colette held me at arm’s length, her body angled slightly away. “Don’t squish the little one,” she laughed, patting her stomach. I noticed she wore the bump proudly, but something about how she touched it seemed practiced, almost theatrical.

“We wouldn’t want that,” I smiled, trying to catch Bennett’s eye, but he was scanning the room behind Colette, his gaze methodical.