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Jo came by and took their orders Conversation flowed easily Phoebefrom Maya and Del, ere in China That was followed by everyone ad they had no idea how the Chinese celebrated the holidays, or if they did at all

As people talked, Madeline beca in her seat She leaned close to her business partner

“I know I keep asking this, but are you okay?”

Isabel surprised her by hugging her “You’re a good person, you know that, right?”

Madeline studied her “Are you crying?”

“What Destiny has is contagious” Isabel cleared her throat, then sighed “I have an announcement”

The table quieted Isabel looked at thenant”

Consuelo frowned “Did you hit your head? Do you have a concussion? We all know you’re pregnant If you hadn’t told le day If I didn’t like you so ”

A stateht be cause for alarht and talked

Isabel seemed to brace herself “I didn’t hit my head It’s just I had my ultrasound and” She held up her hand “I’ triplets”

There was a ratulations

Madeline took in the news She knew Isabel’s husband, Ford, had triplet sisters, so it wasn’t a co ht they were friends That working together had brought theh she’d asked, Isabel hadn’t told her the news privately

Madeline reminded herself that the inforht personally It was just—

“Don’t be mad,” Isabel whispered “I couldn’t tell you”

“Okay,” Madeline said slowly, still not sure why

“It’s just I was scared I’ to need you so much and it’s not fair, but without you, I can’t keep the business going”

Madeline hugged her “You’re an idiot”