Leah smirked knowingly at Vienna's response, and then raised her brows at what the woman followed up with. “I think you would, yes. Especially since you're friends with me.”
“Oh, so maybe I can use that as an advantage and deny saying any such thing about not minding those photoshoots.” She paused as if in thought, then said, “Not that I'm admitting to having pregnancy brain. My mind is still as sharp as ever.” Not entirely true, but she was sticking with that answer.
“Exactly. So really, I don't believe she's avoiding you or putting up with you because she has to. She's just adjusting to the new you. If you guys can find some sort of bonding activity to do together, that might help. Something fun that doesn't involve either of your jobs around the compound.” She'd made a similar suggestion to Bea when the woman had come to her for advice. Leah sincerely hoped it helped the sisters, even if it was only a little bit.
Leah's face broke into a grin at that. “It was. You saw right through that,” she said. Her tone turned serious again. “I figured that was the case. And deep down we older siblings know it's not intentional. And we do have ways of retaliating.”
Shrugging, she said, “Fair or not, I understand the curiosity. A brother dating – or whatever it is they're doing, I don't know – his sister's friend is always an awkward sort of situation for the sister to be in. I'm trying to stay impartial for now, but that sort of means that I'm not talking to either of them much.” And she felt bad about that, but her opinionated side was generally damaging, so it was better to avoid it. Whatever happened, happened, and she wouldn't be responsible for whatever it was.
Leah returned the smile, grateful that sharing her feelings towards a personal matter hadn't sparked an argument with her friend. “That's a small relief, anywa—ahhh!” Leah went to her knees, one hand going to her belly as a sharp pain shot through the area. Followed quickly by another. It was a familiar pain, something she'd experienced before, when Marigold was on the way. Contractions. “No. No, it's too soon for this...”