The Culmination Read Online Free PDF Page B

you.”
    “No,” Gracie says firmly. She settles herself onto the couch and instantly becomes enraptured by her book.
    Kat shakes her head. “ No. It’s her new favorite word.”
    “Well, she certainly didn’t learn it from her mommy.”
    Kat pats her belly. “Obviously not.”
    “So how’re you feeling?” I ask.
    “When I’m not barfing, you mean?”
    “Sure. We’ll start there.”
    “Oh, well, when I’m not barfing, I feel fan-frickin’-tastic—thanks for asking. Problem is, I’m hardly ever not barfing.”
    I wince. “Still? I was hoping the barfing would have tapered off for you by now.”
    “Oh, it has a little. Now it’s just mornings and evenings. Oh, and car rides.” She rolls her eyes. “Josh had to pull over for me on the way here. I’m officially the grossest person alive.”
    “I’m sorry, Kat. That sucks.”
    “It’s okay. I was the exact same way with Gracie.” She rustles Gracie’s platinum hair. “It’s all worth it in the end.”
    I pinch Gracie’s knee. “Gracie, say, ‘Uncle Jo Jo the Dancing Clown.’”
    “Unkie Jo-Jo-Dah-Kehn.”
    “Kat, give that girl a cookie.”
    Kat laughs and reaches into her diaper bag. “Paybacks are gonna be a bleep, my sister-friend. Just wait.”
    Jonas and Josh return from the kitchen with everyone’s drinks and Kat feigns indignation. “You boys aren’t drinking club soda in solidarity with your poor pregnant wives?”
    “Actually, Jonas suggested we do exactly that,” Josh says, taking a sip of whatever’s in his tumbler. “But I told him to stop trying to make me look like a total prick.”
    Kat laughs. “Go ahead and drink, babe. And you, too, Jonas. Seriously. There’s no reason for everyone to suffer.”
    “See?” Josh says to Jonas. “That’s exactly what I said.” He takes a big swig of his drink.
    “Gimme a little taste, Playboy,” Kat purrs to Josh, and he bounds over to her. He takes another huge sip of his drink and sticks his alcohol-laden tongue in her mouth.
    “Mmm, gin and tonic,” Kat coos. “Unexpected.”
    “I told you—I’m feeling spontaneous tonight,” Josh says, his tone laden with sexual innuendo. He takes another huge swig of his drink and immediately leans into Kat.
    I glance over at Jonas, wanting to share a look of extreme repulsion about Josh and Kat and their never-ending grossness—those two make Jonas and me look like we’re middle schoolers—but Jonas is lost in his thoughts, sipping on his beer.
    “Okay, guys, a toast,” Josh says, pulling away from Kat.
    We all raise our drinks and give Josh our undivided attention, even though we know what he’s about to say (since Josh gives the same toast every time).
    “Hang on a second,” Josh says. “Gracie-cakes, where’s your sippy cup, honey?”
    Gracie looks up from her animal book.
    “We’re gonna clink glasses, sweetie,” he says. “Get your sippy so you can clink with us.”
    Gracie’s face lights up. “Sippy, Mommy?” she asks. “Where my sippy?”
    Kat shakes her head. “Oh, sure, now she wants her water, now that her handsome daddy suggested it.” Kat pulls the cup from her diaper bag and hands it to Gracie. “You could sell ice to an Eskimo, Josh,” she says.
    Josh winks at Kat. “Watch this. Hey, Little G, before we clink glasses, I want you to take a big sip of water for me, okay?” Gracie dutifully complies, sucking down three massive gulps of water, and Josh flashes Kat a huge, smart-ass grin. “Well, gosh, Kat. You keep telling me our daughter is pig-headed like you, but I don’t know what you’re talking about. She’s just like me—easy-going and reasonable.” He flashes a grin that makes even me swoon a little bit. “Anything else you want me to get Gracie to do for you, while I’m at it, babe? Anything at all?” Kat blinks slowly at him, shooting daggers at him, and he laughs. “Okay, let’s have a toast, people.” He raises his glass. “Hold up your cup, Little G.”
    Gracie holds up her