Page 49 of Loving Justice

Jinx rubbed his forehead. “Didn’t realize you were waiting to hear from me.” What the hell was happening with everyone around him? Was there something in the water supply?

She lifted her chin slightly. “This isn’t something you can ignore away.”

“Pardon me, Lanah, but I’m lost. I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

Her arms dropped to her sides. “Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack.” He didn’t have time for games.

“Well, then you can thank your wife for this little mix-up. Obviously, she didn’t want you to know. Figures.”

He didn’t know Lanah very well, but she didn’t seem like her usually perky self. In fact, she looked pasty and frazzled. “I don’t know what you’re referring to, but if you need to speak to Justice she’s up at the house—”

“No, I don’t want to speak to her again. What good will that do? Not that it matters, but I had an appointment today with an obstetrician. I don’t owe you anything, but I thought I’d share the first picture of our baby.”

Jinx laughed. “Is this some kind of joke? Did someone from the crew set this up?” He looked around for one of the crew.

“I assure you, I wouldn’t joke about something as serious as a baby.” She held a piece of paper up. “Here’s that photo.” She shoved it into his chest.

He gazed intently at the black-and-white image before him. “What is this?”

“It’s an ultrasound picture. You know, of the baby that I’m carrying.”

Jinx considered himself a reasonably smart man, but he couldn’t process what Lanah was telling him. “You’re pregnant. I guess I should congratulate you.”

She smirked. “Don’t you mean congratulations to us both, daddy-to-be?”

“Lanah, I don’t know what game you’re playing but I don’t find it funny.” He shoved the photo back at her, but she didn’t take it.

“Have you forgotten that you and I slept together?” she said to his back as he started to walk away.

He swiveled. “Yes, we did, but we used protection.”

Her expression twisted. “They’re only ninety-nine percent effective.”

He retraced his steps. “How?”

“Do you really need me to explain the birds and the bees to you?” she said saucily.

“You told me you were on the pill,” he said quietly, not wanting anyone to overhear.

The rigidness in her expression faded. “I wasn’t. I don’t remember telling you that I was.”

Jinx felt the breath leave his lungs. Suddenly, Justice’s silent treatment made a hell of a lot of sense. “You spoke to Justice about this?”

“This? Get used to saying ‘baby’, Jinx. We have eighteen years that we’ll be attached to one another.” Her spark returned.

“How do you know that the baby is mine?”

Her gaze narrowed. “I don’t sleep around despite what the Rose sisters say.”

“You told me you were seeing someone else.” At this point, he was grasping at straws. Something about this didn’t feel right, but then again, it could be possible.

“He was after you. Do the math. The due date is on the photo.” She lifted a brow.

Suddenly his world was crumbling around his ears. How could he have been so careless? One night was going to change his life forever. “I need a moment. I need to speak to Justice.”

Lanah sighed. “Of course you do. Just don’t make me wait too long. I’d hate to find myself going to Sam and letting him know his new son-in-law knocked me up.”

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