Page 109 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

He’s an expert at it by now and does it quickly. A look of concern etches his brow. “Regan, it’s one-fifty-two over ninety-six.”

I remove the cuff. “Of course it is. You just dropped a bomb on me.” I shake my head. “Pot store. It’s ludicrous. Now help me up so I can use the bathroom unless you want me to pee all over this chair.”

After relieving my bladder and washing up, I stare in the mirror. Is he right? Do I look the part of a pot shop owner? Maybe I need to start dressing more conservatively. I am about to be a mom after all.

M&M kicks me and rolls around. I put my hands on my belly and push back at a protruding foot or elbow. “Listen, I know you’re running out of room in there, but cut me a break.”

Ryder is hanging up the phone, looking guilty when I emerge from the back.

He holds up his cell. “I called Lucas. He’s on his way.”

“Well, call him back. He doesn’t need to rush over every time the baby kicks.”

“It’s more than that and you know it.”

“Whatever.” I sit back down. “While you were at it, did you tell him your insane idea?”

“I haven’t told anyone other than you and Amy. And she hardly counts anymore.”

“Mom and Dad would freak,” I say in amusement. Then I smile. “Maybe you should do it. It’ll take some of the heat off me for this.” I point at my fast-growing bump.

“Me? This is your place, Regan. It would beus.” He nods to the ceiling. “I’m going up to make us a few sandwiches. You think it over.”

He disappears up the stairs as I mumble to myself, “It’s still a stupid ide—”

I stop talking mid-word when a man walks into the shop. But it’s not just any man.

It’s David.

My head starts swirling. I must be hallucinating.

Painstakingly, I get back on my feet.

As he approaches the counter, his sinister smile widens. My heart pounds and I instinctively look around for Joey, wanting to protect him even though I know he’s not down here.

“Well, looky here,” he says, his rough voice like gravel on my ears. “I had to come see for myself.”

“Wh-what are you doing here?”

“I’ve been out of the country. Japan. I play baseball there. Have for years. I came back to New York to see family before spring training starts up again. Imagine my surprise when I open an old magazine to see a story about you and Lucas Montana having a kid in some kind of fucked up relationship.”

I can’t form words. My mouth doesn’t work. My brain is malfunctioning. I’m twenty years old again. Back under his thumb where he can manipulate me to his will.

“What’s wrong, Regan? Cat got your tongue?” He laughs boisterously. “Oh, right. You don’t have a cat. At least notthatcat.”

I feel sick to my stomach. I only hope this isn’t real. It’s a nightmare. I’ve fallen asleep again and this monster is invading my dreams.

“You know, now that I’m here, I question why I came.” He eyes me from head to toe as if appraising the most hideous thing he’s ever seen. “Especially when I see how you let yourself go. How could you get so fucking fat?” He shakes his head in disgust. “I get that pregnancy adds twenty or thirty pounds. But this… Jesus, Regan, this kid has added what, a hundred?”

“Get out,” I manage to say even as my entire body shakes.

He snatches a book from a nearby shelf. “Is that how you treat paying customers? Not very good for business if you ask me.”

“Why are you here?”

“Curiosity,” he says. “You know how they say it killed the cat. Then again, so did antifreeze and rat poison.” His evil laugh makes my skin crawl. “Had to see how a mousy, weak person like yourself was able to get a billionaire like Montana to even give you a second glance.”

“I’m not mousy or weak,” I say defensively, feeling nothing but. “Onlyyoumade me that way.”

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