Page 113 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

“You know you’re invited, don’t you?”

I raise a brow. “Me? Why?”

“Regan, my family considers you family. M&M is their grandson, their nephew, a cousin. And they aren’t about to leave you out of anything just because we aren’t… you know.”

Lucas looks away, out the window, like he’s upset. I think this whole labor and delivery thing is freaking him out way more than he’s letting on.

“You think the baby will be ready for an international trip in the spring? Lucas, I don’t know. I’ll bet the flight will be long and uncomfortable for an infant.”

“Don’t worry about that. We’ll be flying down on a private jet.”

I’m not sure why I’m surprised by that, other than I keep forgetting how flipping rich the Montanas are.

“I’ve never been out of the country. I’ve barely been out of New York. The extent of my world travels consists of Connecticut, Maine, and Florida.”

“We’ll get you a passport.” He touches my stomach, careful not to dislodge the fetal monitor. “Him too.”

The door opens and Dr. Russo walks in. She puts on a pair of gloves. “Time to check your cervix.”

I assume the proper position, having done this more times than I’d like to think about today. At least it’s not uncomfortable. I send some silent gratitude to the anesthesiologist and the epidural as Dr. Russo finishes her exam.

She removes her hand with a smile. “You’re at nine centimeters. It won’t be long now.” She repositions the fetal monitor and checks the displays again. “I’m pleased with the progression of your labor. The next time I see you, it’ll be to welcome this little guy into the world.”

I smile, happy to be so near the finish line. I know delivery is the ‘cure’ for preeclampsia. My blood pressure should start dropping almost immediately and could even be back to normal in days. I’ll no longer be at risk for seizures, and M&M will be out of the woods. Well, barring any complications due to him coming early.

I can’t even think about that. I try to remain positive. I think of one of my favorite childhood movies when Tom Hanks declared,‘Looks like we just had our glitch for this mission.’

My blood pressure. The preeclampsia. This is our glitch. Everything else is going to be fine. M&M will be tiny, and he may have to stay in the hospital for a bit, but he’ll be perfect. I can feel it.

Another nurse comes in. This one I know. Mackenzie gives me a comforting smile reminiscent of our high school days. She asks the same old questions. Analyzes the machines. And glares at Lucas like he’s a leper.

I get it. There’s still gossip being tossed around. People don’t believe we did this on purpose with zero intentions of being together. They think it was an accident and that he should man up and marry me. They’re all crazy if they think it’ll happen.

My heart seems to get squeezed along with my uterus. Because that picture of how Mitchell’s birth would be—over the past weeks and months it’s morphed from me bonding with the baby to the three of us becoming a family. Not the traditional family, because no way would that ever happen, but something else, something that’s just as special. Maybe something that’s evenmorethan special.

I close my eyes, hoping once this is over my hormones will go back to normal and I’ll get over these deep, unforgiving, unrelenting feelings I’ve developed for Lucas.

“You okay?” Lucas asks. “Another contraction?”

“Yes, but it doesn’t hurt. It’s just pressure.”

He holds up his phone. “Another text from Ryder. He’s really concerned.”

I shake my head. “Tell him to chill. Jeez, he’s worrying so much that I don’t even need to.”

“You guys have gotten close.”

I nod, happy to affirm. “We have. Oh my gosh, I totally forgot. I finally found out what his big ‘business’ plan is.” I air-quote the wordbusinessbecause it’s just so ridiculous.

“He’s kept it close to his chest,” Lucas says. “He wouldn’t even spill when we got pretty drunk watching the basketball game last week. So, what is it?”

I shake my head, still finding it unbelievable. “He wants to open a pot shop.”

His mouth falls open. “A cannabis dispensary?”

“Yup. Crazy, right? And here’s the nuttiest part, he wants to turnmyshop into his marijuana business.”

He seems to go inside himself, deep in thought. “Actually, no. It’s not crazy. I know you love your shop and all, but realistically it’s not sustainable in the long term. Not in this consumer climate. I think transforming it into a dispensary is a brilliant idea.”

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