Page 40 of Love Shots

Summer had spent the past few days practically glued to Teddy’s hip. She never really considered herself clingy in a relationship. Or in need of any sort of validation. If anything, past boyfriends—well, Colt and Ben—had accused her of being distant. Too independent. They’d even gone as far as to say she was cold. So, the revelation that she wanted to spend every free minute she had wrapped up in Teddy had surprised even her.

She certainly wasn’t cold with him either. If anything, it was the opposite. They couldn’t stop touching each other. Much to the dismay of everyone around them. Kelly had spent most of last night’s shift making vomiting sounds every time she caught them making out.

This was what happiness felt like. This was what being in love felt like.

Yes. Love. Sickeningly happy, cringe-inducing, epic love. In all its glory. The realization might have only come after they’d shared, but that wasn’t when she’d fallen in love with him. Their love had spanned decades. He had always been the one who got away. An unrequited love that wasn’t so unrequited anymore.

When did I get so sappy?

Tonight, she’d dragged her sappy ass to the next town over for Ivy’s bachelorette party. As Mickey’s was the only bar in Bluestone, they’d had to venture out to Splitrock, the next town over, so the husbands of the women didn’t crash the party. It would appear that they were all just as possessive as Teddy and didn’t like the idea of their women getting tipsy when there were other men nearby.

The whole possessive thing was new to Summer. At first she thought Teddy was being controlling, which pissed her right off. And she had no problem telling him so. She’d had enough of controlling assholes. But as soon as they’d talked about it and he’d explained the last thing he wanted to do was control her, she got it. It stemmed from concern. Her safety. Nothing else. Well, possibly a little caveman jealousy too, going by his reaction to her dress tonight.

“Make room for the shots, ladies!” Alice piped as a tray full of dark liquid came into view.

“Please tell me those aren’t whiskey shots, Ali.” Her sister, Lily, grimaced.

“As if there’s any other kind of shot, Lilypad.” Mirth danced in Alice’s pretty blue eyes.

Summer had to admit, she loved these women. They’d welcomed her and Laney into their fold with open arms. And they were funny as hell.

Ivy, Lily, Sam, and Laney all stared at the shot glasses Alice placed in front of each of them. Summer was the first to throw it back and wince at the burn it left in its wake. She might as well start as she meant to go on.

“Well damn,” Alice yelled over the country music blasting in the background, “my kinda woman!” She brought her own shot glass to her lips and knocked it back.

“I can’t drink that, Ali.” Lily pushed her shot toward her sister.

“And why is that, Lilypad?” She had a feeling that Alice already knew the answer. Even Summer was pretty sure she could guess.

Lily shook her head in exasperation. “Okay, okay. I was planning on saving this until after the wedding, but since my little sister is being her usual annoying self, I guess that’s not gonna happen. I can’t drink these nasty-looking shots because ... I’m pregnant. Again.”

Instead of the usual congratulations, the women around the table all burst into a fit of laughter. Sam even began to double over. Laney and Summer were the only ones not privy to the joke and exchanged a baffled look.

“Is someone going to tell me what you’re all laughing about?” Lily demanded.

Ivy was the first woman to compose herself, but her playful smile remained in place. “I’m sorry, Lily. It’s just we already knew. We had a bet going on to see how long it took you to tell us ... and Ali here had her money on tonight. We really shoulda known she was gonna trick you into telling us!”

“You knew? You all knew?!” Lily screeched. “And, Ali, what the hell are you doing making bets when I told you a month ago that I was pregnant?”

Alice managed to compose herself long enough to reply, “Well, technically, the bet was about when you were going to announce it to everyone, not just to me.”

“Is someone gonna tell me how you all knew?”

Sam, Jake’s sister, was the only one brave enough to break the news. “I’m sorry, Lily, but you know my brother is really bad at keeping secrets. Like, really bad. He let it slip to Brady and Duke a couple of months ago. And, well, the rest is history.”

Attempting to ease the scowl forming across Lily’s delicate, porcelain features, Summer raised her hand. “Uh, I didn’t know. Nor did Laney.” She flashed the woman her warmest smile. “Congratulations, you and Jake must be really excited.”

Laney was quick to add her own well-wishes too. Effectively deflating any tension.

Lily revealing pregnancy number two was as dramatic as it got. The rest of the night was spent drinking way too many shots and lots of line dancing.

Taking a break from the action on the dance floor, Summer returned to the table, which Lily was currently guarding. Poor woman had been fending off suitors all night. Not that she could blame the male population of Splitrock for giving it their best shot. Lily was stunning. Her long hair was golden with a natural wave. And her eyes were even greener than Teddy’s. Add in a slamming body and a friendly smile, she was basically whatever catnip was to cats but for men.

“How you holding up?” Summer jumped onto the blue cushioned booth seat next to Lily.

“Well, I have video evidence of a very drunk Ali trying to line dance to “Cotton Eye Joe” ... so all in all, it’s a good night.” She ended with a wink.

Summer let out a chuckle. “You two are just as bad as each other.”

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