Page 73 of Recipe for Temptation

“You, too,” Reese said, surprised at how natural it felt to sink into the woman’s embrace, as if they’d known each other forever.

Prissy pulled away and beamed at her. She was an ageless beauty with supple brown skin, a perfectly sculpted short afro and a voluptuous full figure.

“You were wonderful out there. We thoroughly enjoyed every second.”

“I really appreciate that,” Reese said smilingly, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I had so much fun. I’ve been a fan of Howlin’ Good for so long. It felt surreal to be sharing a stage with Michael.”

Prissy gave her a twinkling smile. “Watching the two of you together was such a treat. You’re going to keep him on his toes, that’s for sure.”

“That’s what we were just telling her,” Stan chuckled, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “She’s gonna be a handful for Mike.”

Reese blushed for what had to be the millionth time that morning. Against her will, her gaze was drawn to where Michael stood talking with a group of network executives. Though he didn’t look her way, she sensed that he was aware of her watching him, but he was choosing not to acknowledge her.

“Okay, here I am. I had to pee so bad. Whew.”

Reese turned as they were joined by Taylor Wolf. The expectant mother was gorgeous, but pregnancy made her look even more radiant. Her brown skin was glowing, her dark eyes were luminous, and her natural hair looked soft and shiny with thick black curls bouncing past her shoulders.

“Hey, Reese. So good to meet you.” She gave her a hug, her baby bump round and warm between them. A world-renowned violinist, she appeared to be six months along in her pregnancy.

“Loved the show,” she told Reese as they pulled apart. “You and Michael had us cracking up. At one point I laughed so hard I almost peed myself.”

Reese laughed. She liked her immediately. “Congratulations on baby number three.”

“Thank you, Reese.” Taylor grinned. “Manning says you’re an ob-gyn. Can you tell if I’m having a boy or girl by the way I’m carrying?”

“Wish I could, but it doesn’t quite work that way,” Reese said with a chuckle. “How you carry has more to do with your muscle tone and the position the baby is in, as well as your body shape and how much weight you gain during pregnancy.”

“Hear that, Mom?” Taylor teased.

“Oh, I know it’s a myth,” Prissy admitted with a grin. “But I’ve had five boys and I carried each one low. And you carried Micah and Max low.”

“A happy coincidence. Right, Reese?”

Reese held up her hands. “Far be it from me to argue with the mother of five sons.”

“Smart woman,” Montana said.

Laughter rolled through the group.

“What’s your due date, Taylor?” Reese asked when the humorous moment passed.

“October sixteenth.”

Reese nodded, her guesstimate confirmed. “Do you and Manning want to know your baby’s sex?”

“We do. But then we don’t.” Taylor beamed up at her husband as he slipped an arm around her waist and tucked her against his side, nuzzling into her hair like he just couldn’t stop himself from touching her.

She smiled at Reese. “We’ve decided to let it be a surprise.”

“That said,” Manning added, “we’re both hoping for a girl.”

“We’re all hoping for a girl,” his mother emphasized. “Especially Mama Wolf.”

There were chuckles and nods of agreement as Marcus and Samara joined the group.

“What’re you guys talking about?” Marcus asked.

Stan grinned. “We’re wondering which one of you will be the first to bless Mama Wolf with the girl she’s been praying for.”

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