Page 17 of Owning the Prez’s Ol' Lady

Turning, I found myself boxed in his arms, and the lack of space between us alarming.

“Who?”

He nodded toward Ramona. “Ramona and my sister. Everyone can tell those two are falling for each other.”

“Wait, you know Ramona likes your sister?” I whispered, keeping my voice low.

“I didn’t until now, but I sure hear about how much Josie likes her every night. My sister is borderline obsessed with her. She just doesn’t think she has a chance because, well, you know.”

“Yeah... I know.”

Ramona’s hand was on her stomach, and she smiled like she does every time the baby kicks.

“Is the baby kicking again?” I questioned, moving out of Joe’s arms.

“Want to feel?”

I wasn’t sure if I should, but curiosity got the best of me, and I found my hand on her belly.

“Just wait for it,” she said, her eyes smiling just as much as her lips. The glow about her was goddamn adorable, and that spark of jealousy started to rear its ugly green head. Then I felt a strange movement under my palm, and I gasped.

“Was that a kick?”

She nodded, tears pricking her eyes. “It always brings tears to my eyes. I wish I knew the gender sometimes, but the surprise of not knowing is also exciting.”

“You only have a few months left. Then you’ll finally meet your baby face-to-face.”

She beamed. “And when that day finally comes, my heart will be one hundred percent full for the first time in my life.”

My feet were aching. An entire day of being on my feet serving customers was rather exhausting. How could people do this every day and not have feet full of calluses?

A knock on the door made me groan, and in protest I got up to answer it. Josie and Joe were standing behind the door, holding up a case of beer.

“Surprise! We brought alcohol. After the day we’ve had, I think we all need it.” In Josie’s other hand was a jug of lemonade—Ramona’s favorite. “You, sweetie, can’t have alcohol of course, but I did bring you refreshments as well.”

Ramona’s face lit up. “Thanks.”

Joe gave me a delicious wink as he marched through the door, making himself at home on our little couch. We paid them three hundred dollars a month to rent out their guest house. The funny thing was, they never had guests. Joe and Josie were both homebodies that barely ever left.

“Want to play a game?” Josie asked excitedly.

“Sure, but I’m beyond exhausted, so if I suddenly fall asleep, I’m sorry.”

Joe chuckled. “You’ll get used to it after a while.” Not long after we started working for them, the diner changed their hours. We now closed at twelve and didn’t open again until eight the next morning. They said they always did this in their off season, but it made me wonder if us showing up had something to do with it?

“Hmm, let’s play truth or dare!” Josie said excitedly. “I’ll go first.”

Joe shot his sister a look, but she seemed to shrug him off. “Ramona, truth or dare?”

“Um, I guess truth?” Ramona said warily.

“Is it true you’re single?”

Ramona laughed. “Yes, very, very single.”

Josie practically bounced on the couch cushion. “Eek! Good to know! Your turn, Ramona.”

Ramona turned to me. “Shasta, truth or dare?”

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