Page 15 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

I wave a hand and try to make an exit before Blake can notice my tenting trousers.

He calls me back and I stick my head around the corner. “I’m in kind of a hurry, what is it?”

“A reporter showed up earlier. Dallas urged him to leave.”

I huff. “Urged?”

He shrugs. “In his own passive-aggressive way of course.”

“A few have tried to intercept me outside my apartment building.”

“Vultures,” he says. “It’ll die down.”

I nod, my erection fully deflated now, and walk away.

Chapter Five

Regan

Although I’m delighted to see Maddie sitting at our usual table behind the ice cream shop—I’m not so sure she’s happy to be here. My bet is she’d rather be in the hospital holding Tag’s son in her arms.

She looks up as I approach, arms outstretched in frustration. “Still here, damn it.”

I laugh. “Technically, you’re not even due for a few more days.”

She sighs and shifts uncomfortably. “I was sure he’d be here by now. Gigi is going almost as crazy as I am. We’rebothnesting. And Tag, I think he comes home with a new toy almost every day. We must have every sporting good known to man. Doesn’t matter if this little guy won’t be able to use them for years. My husband is dead set on his son being some kind of sports star.”

“Well, he does own a sports management company.”

“What’s up, girlies?” Ava sings, rounding the corner with a carton of coffees. She looks at the two of us and then the empty spots on the bench. “Just us? But I brought extras.” She hands Maddie and me our standing order and pushes the rest aside.

I remove the lid on mine and inhale the heavenly scent. “Actually, I’m glad it’s just us three today.”

Maddie seems to forget how uncomfortable she is on the unforgiving bench. Her inquisitive brows rise. “Why?”

“I don’t want rumors floating around. You know how this town is. The fewer people who know, the better.”

Ava sips her latte, peering at me over the rim of the cup. “Know what exactly?” she asks after swallowing.

“I’m kind of surprised nobody’s said anything already. It’s been almost four days.”

“Regan,” Maddie says impatiently. “This baby may be born before you get to the point.”

I roll my eyes. “Okay, so I may have done something a little reckless the other night. On my birthday. It was stupid. Not regretful stupid, but most likely stupid in the eyes of, well… everyone.”

Ava turns to Maddie and eyes her belly. “He come out yet?”

Both of my friends glare at me.

“I slept with Lucas Montana.”

Maddie and Ava both gasp and then proceed to speak over each other in shrills that are hard to decipher.

I hold up a hand. “One at a time, please. Maddie, you go first since you could literally burst at any second.”

Ava is practically bouncing in her seat. She opens her mouth to say something, but closes it before anything comes out. As a good friend does, she acquiesces, albeit reluctantly, and lets Maddie have her say.

Maddie sighs deeply. It’s the kind of sigh you expect from your mom when she’s just found out you let a boy go to second base and she’s about to give you ‘the talk.’

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