Page 87 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

Like there was a polite way to decline. “Not at all.”

He settled next to me on the porch swing, using his long legs to rock back and forth slowly.

I lasted about twenty seconds in theawkward silence. “How was your afternoon with Seraphina?”

“Hale’s sister is very nice.”

“She’s single, you know?”

“She made that very clear.”

“You don’t think she’s attractive?”

“I think she’s beautiful. But she’s not my type.”

“What’s your type?” Realizing that my question could be misconstrued as interest, I quickly said, “I mean, who do you normally date?” That was no better. “What do you like? Gah, I’m terrible at small talk.”

He laughed and glanced down at my stomach. “Let’s just say I have very particular taste.”

The front door opened, and Odette came out holding a suitcase. I abruptly stood. “Odette, are you leaving?”

“Rayne. I didn’t see you there. I’m… Yes. I’m going home.”

I had so many questions, like, would I ever see her again? “Are you coming back?”

She laughed, the sound humble and cold. “No. I’m too wise for foolish games at my age.” She glanced at Xander. “You are too. Careful of that one.”

I didn’t look at Xander tosee if he took offense. I crossed the porch and hugged her tightly. “I’m so sorry things didn’t work out.”

“So am I, but I’m not surprised. He’ll never change. I knew that coming into this.” She cupped my cheeks. “I wish you and Hale all the happiness in the world. Send me pictures when the baby’s born.”

“I will.”

She kissed my cheek, and then she was gone. I wanted to cry.

“You okay?” Xander asked as her taillights faded in the distance.

I sighed, my heart heavy with disappointment. “She was one of the good ones.”

“If that were true, he never would have kissed someone else. Men like Remington know how to hold onto a good thing.”

“Men like Remington—ooh.”My hand went to my stomach, and I gasped when the baby kicked. “Oh, my God.”

Xander stood. “Should I get Hale?”

“Yes.” It happened again and I gasped louder. “No. I’ll go.” As soon as I stepped inside, Hale stepped out of the parlor in a cloud of stale smoke.

“I was about to get some air?—”

I grabbed his hand and pressed it to my belly. “Feel!”

His breath caught. “Oh, my gosh!” He laughed, then brought his other hand to my stomach, his smile stretching across his beaming face. “Incredible.”

“It must be all the spicy food I ate at dinner.”

“It’s something. What does it feel like to you?”

“Sort of twitchy and tumbling, soft like butterflies, but somehow more. Kind of like I’m driving over a steep hill.”

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