Page 58 of The Way We Score

Hustling to the door, I take a second to check my breath before opening it. It doesn’t make a bit of difference, because as soon as I see her standing on my doorstep, she steals it.

She’s dressed in jeans and a thin red sweater that hugs her breasts. Her strawberry-blonde hair hangs in long, smooth waves down her back, and her hazel eyes blink up at me quickly, a little worried, I think.No need to worry, beautiful.

Her cherry-red lips part as if she’ll speak, and I shake my head, remembering how to form sentences.

“Hey, girl.” Stepping forward, I give her a careful hug, not too tight, not too long. “Come on in. What are you doing in the big city?

“I… ahh…” She steps into the small foyer inside my front door, and her chin drops. She pushes a silky lock of hair behind her ear before looking up at me again, worried. “I had to come for work, and you’re the only person I know here.”

It’s what I expected. “No problem, I got you. Want to stay with me? I’ve got plenty of room.”

I give her what I hope is a welcoming smile, not a hungry, you-look-like-the-best-thing-I’ve-seen-in-six-weeks smile.

I must be successful, because the tension seems to leave her shoulders.

She exhales a shaky laugh, rubbing a slim hand over her cheek as she glances up at me. “That would be great.”

11

Olivia

When my eyes meet Garrett’s, I completely lose my nerve.

He’s standing in front of me, all six-foot-four, in a white T-shirt that stretches across his muscled chest, and I swallow the drool in my mouth.

I remember very well how he looks naked. I don’t know how, but his body is even more defined than when we were young. Lines of muscle cut across his abs, and his broad shoulders are round and defined.

The sleeves of his shirt stretch around his biceps, and his hair is slightly damp at the collar like he recently showered. It looks like he’s either preparing to go out or he just got back, and now, standing here in front of him, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.

Booking that flight was a total, panicked impulse. We haven’t talked since our wild night of sex after the wedding. Not that I blame him. I walked out—correction, I ran out. The onus was on me to call him if that’s what I wanted.

Now I’m thinking I’ll show up here and tell him I’m pregnant completely out of the blue? I should’ve written him a letter. Does anybody write letters anymore? I only know I should’ve figured out some way to give him the heads-up and feel him out.

I shouldnothave jumped on the first flight out of Birmingham without even packing a suitcase. It’s possible I was in shock. And completely freaked out.

“I’ll be honest with you, I’m not really prepared for company.” He puts his hand on the back of his neck like he always does when he’s thinking or embarrassed or unsure, but his blue eyes are shining and warm. He’s so damn appealing. “It’s kind of late, but it’s New York. We can go out for dinner, or we can walk down to the grocery store and pick up a few things. What do you think?”

“I think grocery shopping sounds fun.” Blinking up at him, I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as panicked as I feel.

I can’t imagine what he’ll say when I tell him. Part of me wants to believe he’ll be cool and supportive. I have no idea what that will look like from a thousand miles away.

My throat tightens, and through sheer force of will, I command my body not to vomit.

“I’ll put your suitcase in my guest room…” He looks past me, and my cheeks heat.

“I didn’t bring one.” I look down, trying to figure out how to explain my one small bag. “I just brought some personal items.”

Toiletries and a change of underwear. Who packs this way?

His brow furrows. “What was it, some kind of legal emergency?”

“Something like that.” I scrub my hand over my face.

Get a grip, Liv. I’m a lawyer. It’s my job to look at all the angles, apply reason, and calmly make the right decision for all parties involved. I do it all the time, every day. I donotfreak out over difficult situations.

All the vomiting has made me weak. And my heart. AndGarrett. And I will not cry,oh my lord. I will not cry.Is this pregnancy hormones?

Clearing my throat, I look around quickly. “Would you mind if I have a glass of water? Flying makes me a little dehydrated…”

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